January 13, 2015;
ACTC Starts BuildSmart Campaign;
Ashland Community and Technical College is beginning a year-long BuildSmart Campaign to raise funds for renovation of the original building on the College Drive Campus.
ACTC’s $10 million renovation project includes replacement of the obsolete heating and air conditioning system in the Main Classroom building that was constructed in 1967. A new HVAC Energy Management Control System and other upgrades will prepare the nearly 50-year old building for future generations of students.
BuildSmart Investment for Kentucky Competiveness is a public-private partnership approved by the Kentucky General Assembly earlier this year to fund the top capital project needs at each KCTCS college. Student-funded bond issues will pay 75 percent of the cost of each college project, and the individual colleges must raise the rest.
ACTC must have $2.5 million in local matching funds in place by February 2016 in order to access the agency bonds. The Campaign by ACTC’s Foundation includes classroom and laboratory naming opportunities, a Commemorative Brick Project, and the raffle of a Triumph donated by Professor Emeritus Ernie Tucker.
For over 75 years, ACTC has been providing quality education, life-long learning experiences and cultural programs to Tri-State residents. Although there have been several fund-raising campaigns in the college’s history to construct new buildings, this is the first to focus on renovation of existing facilities.
Professor Emeritus Ernest Tucker has donated a 1969 Triumph for a raffle to support the Campaign. For more information on BuildSmart or the car raffle, contact Willie McCullough, ACTC Dean of Resource Development and External Affairs, 606-326-2068 or email: willie.mccullough@kctcs.edu.
Gifts Make a Difference
Corporate, institutional and individual donations support student scholarships as well as a variety of special events and campus improvement projects. Donations are made to ACTC through the Community and Technical College Foundation of Ashland, Inc., ACTC’s fund-raising arm. Some of the gifts received in 2014 are listed below.
Last fall, ACTC awarded 158 scholarships totaling $116,000. Many scholarships are supported by endowments from area businesses, organizations and individuals.
Marathon Petroleum Company, LP established the Kevin McClain Memorial Scholarship for minorities and women enrolled in ACTC’s Applied Process Technologies Program. The scholarships are designed to help build a skilled and diverse workforce and provide $3,000 a year for college expenses.
Other scholarship donors last year included American Electric Power, American Legion Post 76, Kaplan-Simons Family Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Ashland, Maude Bell Brown Trust, P.E.O. Chapter A. J., and Bennie Shields.
The Foundation’s First annual Golf Scramble in October raised $16,000 for scholarships, with American Electric Power and Eagle Distributing as corporate sponsors.
The KCTCS Benefactors Gala in November recognized two ACTC benefactors: Marathon Petroleum Company and King’s Daughters Medical Center.
Marathon Petroleum Company was recognized for its service to the college through scholarships, internships and program support. The long-standing partnership between Marathon Petroleum and ACTC continues to build and strengthen the area workforce.
King’s Daughters Medical Center was recognized for its support of the college as a donor and program facilitator. KCMC provides clinical sites for health care program students, and staff members serve on allied health advisory committees and resource development groups.
Many individuals and organizations supported the Greatest Needs Fund that provides resources for student emergency loans and a variety of college initiatives, the Young Women Lead conference for high school girls, and the FIRST Lego Tournament that and the Young Women Lead conference for high school girls.
ACTC/FIVCO Science Fair Entries Due
January 23 is the entry deadline for the 3rd Annual FIVCO Area Science & Engineering Fair. The fair will be held February 6 at the Ashland Community and Technical College Technology Drive Campus.
The fair is for students enrolled in public, parochial or home-based schools in Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup and Lawrence Counties in Kentucky. Each school can submit three projects and each home school can enter one project. A project may be completed by an individual student or a team of no more than three students.
Each student may enter one individual or group project, and team projects are limited to three student participants. There are five project category areas: Life Science, Mathematical Science, Chemistry, Engineering and Physics & Astronomy.
For judging purposes, students will be grouped into three grade categories: grades 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12. All projects must meet INTEL and safety guidelines which are available at: www.societyforscience.org.
The only required entry form, as well as project information and a rules guideline booklet, are online at: www.fivcosciencefair.com.
Winners in each category will receive a medal, and the overall winners in grades 6-8 and 9-12 will be eligible to advance to a regional science fair. Cash prizes awarded through a grant from Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. include $1,000 for first place in the high school (grades 9-12) and middle school (grades 6-9) categories and $500 for first place in the elementary school (grades 4-5) category.
For more information, contact Dr. Walters, Science Fair Director, at 600.922.2931 or email: barbara.walters@kctcs.edu.