KCTCS and its colleges honor valuable benefactors
LEXINGTON, Ky.
(November 04, 2003) - The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS)
and its colleges are honoring some of their most valuable benefactors.
Michael B. McCall, president of KCTCS, will present awards on Saturday to 39
of the system’s major donors and volunteers at the 2003 President’s
Gala and Benefactors Awards Dinner. The fourth annual event begins at 7 p.m.
in the Bluegrass Grand Ballroom of the Lexington Center Heritage Hall.
At the system level, KCTCS is honoring Martha C. Johnson of Lexington and the
Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.
Johnson served for six years on the KCTCS Board of Regents, and was its founding
chair. She currently serves as a member of the KCTCS Foundation Inc. She is
vice president of divisional communications for Ashland Inc., based in Lexington.
She earned an associate in arts degree from Ashland Community College and later
was a member of the college advisory board. Johnson received her bachelor’s
degree from Western Kentucky University.
Besides providing leadership to KCTCS, Johnson and her husband, Jim, have contributed
financially to the KCTCS Foundation, which established a scholarship in her
name. Also, her work at Ashland Inc. has included responsibility over the company’s
philanthropic foundation activities. The KCTCS Foundation received its first
charitable donation - a $200,000 commitment over four years -- from Ashland
in 1999.
“The leadership and support that Martha Johnson has provided to KCTCS during
our early years has been key to laying the foundation for our success,”
said Cynthia L. Read, Johnson’s successor as Board of Regents chair and
a fellow founding member of the board.
“It is only fitting that she be honored in this manner.”
The Kentucky Colonels are being honored for donating to KCTCS $320,000 over
five years to establish the Kentucky Colonels Better Life Scholarship Program.
KCTCS announced the donation recently while kicking off its major gifts campaign,
called “Fulfilling the Promise.”
The scholarship is targeted toward single parents who demonstrate financial
need. One student in each KCTCS district will be selected to receive a $2,500
scholarship to cover the costs of full-time attendance.
“Thanks to the generosity of the Kentucky Colonels, KCTCS will enhance
the earnings potential and quality of life of many more students in the years
to come,” McCall said.
The Kentucky Colonels, founded in 1931, are a non-profit corporation that distributes
grants to organizations and educational institutions.
Here is the complete list of individuals, corporations and organizations to
be honored at the President’s Gala and Benefactors Awards Dinner. Among
local honorees, some will be honored by colleges, and some by foundations that
support the colleges.
Gala Underwriter:
Cisco Systems
5th Anniversary Underwriter: Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions
Gala Reception Underwriter: Toyota Motor Manufacturing-Kentucky
Awards Underwriter: ALLTEL
Gold level sponsors: American Electric Power; Associated Industries of Kentucky
(AIK); East Kentucky Power Cooperative; eCAMPUS.COM; EOP Architects; Eventions;
Fifth Third Bank; Hammond Design Associates; The Clements Group
Silver level sponsors: Community Trust Bank; Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; United
Parcel Service
Bronze level sponsors: Advertiser Printers, Inc. (API); Boise Office Solutions;
C.G. Concepts; Deloitte & Touche; Deters, Benzinger & La Velle; Kentucky
American Water Company; Kentucky Utilities; Meridian Communications; Saint Joseph
Healthcare; Trapp Communications, LLC
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 www.kctcs.edu <http://www.kctcs.edu>.