SARAH LYNCH
Ashland Daily Independent

ASHLAND -- The top goal for the Foundation of Ashland at Ashland Community and Technical College comes with a hefty price.

But three area physicians are stepping up to support the endeavor -- and they're asking fellow doctors to join them.

The goal: To build a child development center at the college.

The price: $1 million.

Dr. Richard Paulus, Dr. Michael Goodwin and Dr. E. B. Gevedon have put their names of support on the project. Already, $25,000 has been raised. Property donations by Perry and Susan Madden and Ashland Inc. have been two of the most lucrative gifts so far, said Frank Salisbury, director of advancement at ACTC and the campaign.

Salisbury explained that the child development center project is part of the "Fulfilling the Promise" campaign, which has raised $3.98 million in about five years.

"What we are really concentrating on, what we really need, our top priority, is the child development center," Salisbury said. "About 60 percent of our students are nontraditional and many have children. Some of these people desperately need child care. This would enable them to go to class knowing their child is safe and sound and not far away."

One reason doctors are supporting the campaign, Salisbury said, is because almost 96 percent of ACTC graduates are getting jobs with local physicians and staying in the community.

"These are really good guys, too," he said about the three supporting doctors. "But it's a good cause and will benefit many in the long run."

Once funds are raised, the center will be built on the corner of Harlan and Ramey streets, across from the college on land it already owns.

Salisbury said physicians will receive information from the trio of doctors in the next few days asking them to invest in a facility that will allow the college to better serve its students, many of whom are nursing students at the college.

Supporting the campaign for the college and its students is also a way of supporting the community, Salisbury said.

"ACTC is one of the area's largest engines for economic survival," he said. "When the center is finished, it will be a real asset to this college."