Source: The News-Enterprise Editorial
ISSUE: ECTC’s latest distinguished alumni honorees
OUR VIEW: Success begins at community college
In more than 50 years on the hill, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College has been at the forefront of local education providing a means for area residents to receive a college degree affordably and conveniently.
The college, which once was known as Elizabethtown Community College, has given its start to many success stories, eight of which were celebrated this week at its distinguished alumni ceremony.
The ceremony, held each year, recognizes graduates for exemplary service to their professions and communities.
The 2016 honorees are Rebecca N. Ates, Pamela Rosati Bentley, Joshua Bradley, Bobbi Buchanan, Christopher Durbin, Brenda Cornett Hagan, Kerrie Baker Lewis and Sharon J. Wright – each of them a success story in their own right.
- Ates is executive vice president of Fort Knox Federal Credit Union and graduated from Elizabethtown Community College in 1997 with an associate in applied science. She now has a master’s degree and has moved up the ranks at the credit union from holding a teller position out of high school.
- Bentley is a retired manager of Barnes & Noble Bookstore at the college and graduated from ECC in 1974. She worked her way through various positions at the college before landing in management.
- Bradley, vice president of Water Heating Technologies LLC, attended ECTC from 2005-2007. From there, he went to the J.B. Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville to earn a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering.
- Buchanan is an author, poet and creative writing instructor who attended ECC from 1983-1985 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky. A member of Green River Writers, she has received many accolades for her writing and community service.
- Durbin, program/project management and professional Navy/Marines Corps Engineering Team for Booz Allen Hamilton, attended from 1989 to 1991 and earned a diploma in mechanical drafting. He has worked on several Department of Defense projects for the last 20 years.
- Hagan, owner and administrator of Crocus Learning Center, LLC, attended ECTC in 2004 and 2005 and earned early child care credentials. She started Crocus Learning Center with a vision to provide quality early education and child care in the community and the business has grown to three locations.
- Lewis, who is owner, manager and graphic designer for SignMakers of Hardin County Inc., graduated with an associate degree in 2009. An active member of the community, she has served on several nonprofit boards and performs with Hardin County Playhouse.
- Wright, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer of Hardin Memorial Health, graduated with an associate degree in 1987. She has been instrumental in further nurturing the relationship between the local hospital and the college to develop the next generation of nurses.
The ceremony didn’t just celebrate the graduates. It also celebrates the success of the college itself.
Some of these graduates didn’t take the traditional college route, waiting until later in life to pursue higher education. Some are recognizable names in this community and some have gone on to serve others.
But what all the honorees have in common is they began their postsecondary education at ECTC. That is a commendation of the importance of the college and its staff’s commitment to its mission.
This editorial represents a consensus of The News-Enterprise editorial board.
