Prestonsburg, KY (November 10, 2005) Big Sandy Community and Technical College and Big Sandy College Educational Foundation, Inc. Honors Benefactors

Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) and Big Sandy College Educational Foundation, Inc. (BSCEF) will honor four outstanding benefactors Saturday, November 12, 2005, at the annual Kentucky Community and Technical College System President's Gala and Benefactors Awards Dinner held at the Lexington Convention Center.

Interstate Natural Gas Company of Pikeville, Kentucky has been a benefactor of Big Sandy Community and Technical College for many years. Jerry Kanney and Dennis Rohrer, co-founders of Interstate Natural Gas Company, are dedicated to community, economic and cultural enhancement. In 2001 they established the Interstate Natural Gas Community Service Award, presented each year to both a student and an employee of BSCTC to encourage community involvement and leadership. Mr. Kanney is vice-chair of the Big Sandy College Educational Foundation. He has selflessly given of his time and resources and has been instrumental in the fund raising efforts of the Fulfilling the Promise Campaign. Interstate Natural Gas Company is the recipient of numerous awards and BSCEF honors them for their generous support.

Marion S. Clark of Nashville, Tennessee will also be honored by BSCEF. In 1992 Marion S. Clark established the Marion Mayo and Homer Salisbury Memorial Scholarship Endowment in memory of her loving parents. This generous support has allowed many students to continue their education and become successful citizens. Marion is a graduate of the University of Kentucky. She was a school teacher at Prestonsburg High School in Prestonsburg, Ky. She later moved to Nashville to accept a position at the Methodist Board of Higher Education. She and Husband Roy reside in Nashville but occasionally find their way to Prestonsburg to visit the Big Sandy Prestonsburg Campus.

Linda Kay and William Gordon Francis of Prestonsburg, Kentucky will be honored by Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Linda Kay and William Gordon Francis have a strong legacy of both voluntary and financial support of Big Sandy Community and Technical College. As one of the original trustees of the College and its first Outstanding Alumnus, Mr. Francis currently serves as a member of the Big Sandy College Educational Foundation and previously served as both its Secretary and Chair (1990 - 1994). Mr. and Mrs. Francis are each involved with various cultural, civic and church organizations and their commitment to BSCTC is exemplified through their significant contribution of time and support.

Support from the community is critical to the success of any institution of higher education. Big Sandy Community and Technical College strives to provide affordable educational opportunities to citizens of eastern Kentucky. Benefactors like Interstate Natural Gas Company. Marion S. Clark, Linda Kay Francis and William Gordon Francis make it possible for the College to make a two year degree an attainable goal for students who want to succeed. Giving the gift of education is an honorable endeavor.