Somerset Commonwealth Journal

Donations to the Somerset Community College "Fulfilling the Promise" major gifts campaign exceeded $4.3 million, some $300,000 more than the College's goal of $4 million. SCC celebrated the College's success on Friday, March 7, during a ceremony which included Fifth District Congressman Harold Rogers (R) KY.

"I am thrilled with the $4.3 million you have raised," Rogers told an overflow crowd in the newly named Citizens National Bank Community Room of the SCC Student Commons, which is named for him.

The official final total raised during the campaign was $4,321,551.

Charlene S. Harris, Chairperson of the Board of First National Bank in Russell Springs, and Steve Merrick, President of Somerset Hardwood Flooring, served as Co-Chairs of the SCC major gifts campaign. The late Richard E. Cooper was Honorary Chair.

"Our students are the real winners of our Campaign success," Harris said, "as it has increased their opportunities for scholarships and programs at SCC."

The Campaign focused on securing gifts for Academic Excellence, Technology & Innovation, Allied Health and a Technology Center in London.

During the celebration, Dr. Jo Marshall, the President and CEO of SCC, announced that the college was naming three areas located in the Student Commons for significant donors. As stated above, the Community Room was named for Citizens National Bank of Somerset. The Board Room in the Commons was named for Charlene S. Harris. In addition to co-chairing the "Fulfilling the Promise" major gifts campaign, Harris has served 12 years on the SCC Board of Directors. Six of those years she has been the board's chairperson. She and her bank have also made significant contributions to the College.

The Allied Health Suite located on the second floor of the Student Commons was named for Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital. The suite includes two-year degree programs in Surgical Technology, Radiography and Physical Therapy Assisting. A gift by the hospital helped to establish the new surgical technology program at SCC.

Others donating their time to the "Fulfilling the Promise" major gifts campaign included: Steve Branscum, Russell County Chair; J.C. Egnew, McCreary County Chair; Lawrence Kuhl, Laurel County Chair; Mike Simpson, Pulaski County Chair; and Clay Parker Davis, SCC Board Campaign Chair.

SCC employees Bruce Gover, Clara Minton, Sharon Whitehead and David Wiles served as chairs of the SCC employee campaign.

"We are grateful for the support and dedication of our Campaign Leadership and the many donors who made it possible for us to achieve our goal of $4 million and go beyond to $4.3 million. While we officially end the Campaign today, we know their work will continue to bear fruit through their contacts and advocacy for SCC," Marshall said.

"Sadly, we recognize in loving memory, a dear friend of SCC, Richard E. Cooper. Mr. Cooper was Honorary Chair of the Fulfilling the Promise Campaign and is dearly missed by all who knew him," Marshall added.

Part of the celebration was the unveiling of a new, donor Wall of Honor located in the lobby of the Harold Rogers Student Commons. The Wall of Honor was designed by Kirby Stephens of Kirby Stephens Design. Marshall thanked Stephens for his innovative concept for the new Wall of Honor.

Somerset Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution of higher education. SCC has campuses in Somerset and London, centers in Clinton, McCreary, Russell and Casey Counties. The website is www.somerset.kctcs.edu. Call for admission and registration information toll free at 1-877-629-9722.

KCTCS serves the Commonwealth through 16 community and technical college districts that form a seamless system of 62 campuses open or under construction. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information, visit http://www.kctcs.edu .