Writer: MIKE JAMES
Ashland Daily Independent

The grandchildren of Ashland Oil founder Paul G. Blazer have given Ashland Community and Technical College $50,000 to develop a college transition program at Blazer's namesake high school.

The gift, $5,000 annually for 10 years, will be provided through a fund previously established by the family of Georgia Monroe Blazer Norris and will provide tuition support for students taking ACTC classes while in high school and also professional development for teachers at the high school.

Norris was the widow of Blazer, who died in 1966. She married longtime family friend James Norris in 1972; she died in 1991.

The grandchildren, Nancy Blazer Morris, Martha Blazer Smith, Diane Blazer Adair-Jenkins, Barrie Blazer Conner, and Stuart Webb believe the gift would please Norris. "All our family feels there's no more you can give a community than resources for education," Webb said.

It also is fitting that the gift will benefit the school named after his grandfather, Webb said.

The precise use of the money will be determined each year between ACTC's president, currently Gregory D. Adkins, and the superintendent of Ashland schools, said ACTC director of development Frank Salisbury. Phil Eason now holds the superintendent position in Ashland.

"Our plan is to make sure it's impacting students in a direct way," Eason said.

For instance, a student who had reached the limit of Blazer's math curriculum could take college level math classes at high school and get credit, he said.

Professional development would put Blazer teachers together with ACTC professors. The ultimate aim is to develop a smooth transition from high school to college, he said. "It's a direct connection between secondary and post-secondary schools."

Funding will begin this fall with projected professional development for selected high school faculty.

The gift is part of ACTC's major gifts campaign. The college's goal for the campaign is $3.2 million; so far it has raised about $2.38 million.