MARCH 15, 2016
ACTC Has a New Culinary Arts Scholarship
Former Ashland business owner Rick Kouns has established a scholarship at Ashland Community and Technical College for Culinary Arts students. The Lottie B. Culinary Arts Scholarship is for a second year student in ACTC’s Culinary Arts Program who has a minimum 2.25 GPA and who demonstrates the ability to succeed in the profession.
“The scholarship is named after my grandmother Concetta ‘Lottie’ Buyalos because she taught me to cook, love food and to be an entrepreneur,” Kouns said. “She owned the Bank News Stand in the lobby of the old Second National Bank Building and was a major influence in my life.
A 1986 graduate of Holy Family High School, Kouns attended ACC for a year before getting a Business Degree at Mercy College. He started his career as an entrepreneur and owner of “The Only Place Café” in Ashland. He is now owner of Profit Planners SB, Inc., a consulting firm in New York that works with small to medium businesses on tax and business strategies.
“One of the reasons I started this culinary scholarship is that I was not prepared when I started ‘The Only Place Café’ in Ashland,” he said. “I did not have the background or education to make it thrive. I think the restaurant might have been successful if I had the education that is offered by ACTC’s Culinary Arts Program.”
The ACTC program offers three diplomas, six certificates and an Associate in Applied Science Degree with options in catering, culinary arts, and food and beverage management. The food and beverage management option includes courses in business, entrepreneurship or management, marketing and accounting.
“I really do hope that some of the students in the program start their own business in the area and help grow the economy. It thrilled me to see that the first recipient of the Lottie B Scholarship was both an entrepreneur and chef,” said Kouns.
This spring’s scholarship recipient is Brandia Prichard, a 1993 East Carter High School graduate who is back in college to prepare for running a restaurant.
“After high school, I finished an associate degree in science and had plans to continue on for a bachelor degree,” said Prichard. “I decided to work in a restaurant until the next semester started.”
“I had experience managing fast food restaurants, and when the owner asked if I wanted to take over running the restaurant, I jumped at the chance. It was only for six months, but that’s all it took to find my passion.”
“It’s my dream to have my own restaurant someday,” Prichard said. “I know I have a lot to learn about the ins and outs of this business, and that’s why I’m back in school. Times are hard right now, and this scholarship will help out tremendously with school expenses.” She and her husband live with their three sons in Willard.
“We thank Mr. Kouns for establishing this scholarship that recognizes the importance of culinary arts in the community and the value of our program,” said Peggy Bradley ACTC Professor and Culinary Arts Program Coordinator. “The financial support can be important in helping students finish their degrees.”
April 1 is the priority application deadline for fall 2016 scholarships. Applications for the Lottie B. Culinary Arts and other scholarships are on the web at ashland.kctcs.edu under Costs & Financial Aid, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is at fafsa.ed.gov. For more information on scholarships or financial aid, call 855.246.2282.
Beginning Excel Class
ACTC will hold a beginning Microsoft Excel 2010 class on Mondays, April 4 to 25, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the College Drive Campus. People who work with numbers or data will learn to use the program step by step from understanding the menus to using basic formulas to creating documents for home budgets, retails sales reports and other business documents.
Excel has become the industry standard for creating spreadsheets in businesses and organizations. Even “non-techie” beginners will find it easy to learn Excel in this interactive class taught by Jim Fox, ACTC Information Coordinator. Participants will get hands on practice using the program in a lab environment.
No books are required, but a flash drive is recommended. The eight-hour class fee is $89. For more information or to register, email: as_workforce@kctcs.edu or call 606-326-2130.
Practical Nursing Applications Due April 1
The deadline to apply for ACTC’s Fall 2016 Practical Nursing class has been extended to April 1. The diploma program combines classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences to prepare graduates for the national Licensed Practical Nursing exam.
Practical Nursing is a selective admission program, and prospective students need to complete an application for the program. Students new to ACTC will also need to submit an ACTC application.
A Practical Nursing Program Advising Conference will be held Tuesday March 22, at 2:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at the College Drive Campus. Attending an advising conference is required for all applicants to the program.
Applications are available online at ashland.kctcs.edu under Academics, Programs of Study, Licensed Practical Nursing. Applications can be turned in at the Admissions Office at the College Drive Campus and the Student Services Offices at the Technology Drive Campus. For more information, contact Program Coordinator Terri Ratliff at 606-326-2465, or email: terri.ratliff@kctcs.edu.
