News Releases
NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS)
Date: August 1, 2005
Terry W. Brown, (270) 886-3921 ext. 6120, tbrown0058@kctcs.edu / www.hopkinsville.kctcs.edu, Fax: (270) 885-8140
HCC and Wal-Mart Schedule "Back to College" Event
HOPKINSVILLE, KY (August 1, 2005) - In a joint effort to stress the importance of attending college and to make the enrollment process convenient to area residents, Hopkinsville Community College and Wal-Mart (Hopkinsville) have finalized plans for a special off-campus "Back to College" party. The event will be held Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7 from 12:00 noon until 4 p.m. each day.
"We have made unprecedented efforts this year to assure that everyone in the greater Hopkinsville area is aware of the myriad opportunities they have for higher education this fall at the college," said Jason Warren, HCC dean of students. "Through the cooperation of Wal-Mart, we will now be able to take that message even more directly to the public."
On both days, HCC will have student services professionals on hand at Wal-Mart to answer questions, assist with applications, help people select the right courses and programs, address financial aid questions, walk individuals through the registration process - and generally make entering college a personal, smooth and comfortable process. "We know from experience that some people who have not attended college previously really want to go to college but are simply not comfortable taking that first step - coming out to the campus to talk to advisors. With the help of Wal-Mart, we'll now be able to bring that critical first step directly to them," added Warren. "At that same time, since the event coincides with Wal-Mart's back to school specials, they also can complete their weekly shopping for everyday needs as well as for many of the items they will need at HCC."
In addition to having personnel available at both store entrances, HCC will have an orientation center, staffed by college advisors equipped with laptop computers (wireless connections courtesy Hopkinsville Electric System), located inside the store in the aisle that divides the grocery section from the school supplies section. Visitors to the HCC Booth will be provided cake, punch and soda, courtesy of Wal-Mart and Pepsi.
To help alert shoppers to the HCC activities inside the store and to emphasize the advantages of a college education, HCC has also arranged for a 2-hour remote broadcast from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, August 6. Featured will be Q108 (107.9 WCVQ) and DJ Rebecca. Q108 will broadcast from their remote truck in front of Wal-Mart and also have a tent in the parking lot. In addition to providing music and entertainment, prizes and give-aways will also be featured.
Yet another feature of the two-day event scheduled for Saturday is the presence of the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) "College Info Road Show." KHEAA will park their College Road Show RV in front of Wal-Mart and have staff available to discuss the state's current GO HIGHER KENTUCKY campaign and other related higher education assistance subjects.
Classes for the fall semester at Hopkinsville Community College begin August 15. This fall, the college is offering more than 400 classes in 80 different programs. "As opposed to some other colleges who may offer a couple of classes here in Hopkinsville, HCC is Hopkinsville's full-time, full-service college. And, unlike others, we offer a large and diverse array of classes and programs leading to a wide range of technical and academic degrees," said Warren. "However, while having 'something for everyone and every interest' is great, unless we make sure everyone knows about our low cost, excellent quality and incomparable convenience with 5 area locations, we have not succeeded. That's why we, along with our partners at Wal-Mart, HES and KHEAA, are bringing our programs directly to the public this year."
For most Kentuckians, higher education begins at KCTCS. Our statewide system of 16 colleges and 65 campuses provides citizens throughout the Commonwealth with a quality education that is both accessible and affordable.