Board of Contributors
Bernie Hale
Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer


The new year is a great time to reflect on past accomplishments and focus on moving forward. The most distressing news of the year for Owensboro Community & Technical College came when our president announced her retirement. Thank you, Jackie Addington, for sticking with us as we continue to search for a suitable candidate. OCTC has had a busy year, and I'd like to share some selected accomplishments.


The year began with the groundbreaking of the Advanced Technology Center. Construction is under way and on target to meet its fall completion date. The college increased enrollment in dual credit and in adult education programs. OCTC established two IMAC programs, Team Leadership and Industrial Maintenance, delivering modularized instruction in a flexible format and making it possible for nontraditional students to work at their own pace.


Securing grants allowed the college to help meet the nursing shortage with an evening/weekend nursing program. Grant funds and strong support from Owensboro Medical Health System established octc@omhs, creating pathways for OMHS employees to enter the nursing field. OCTC is in the fourth year of a five-year federal grant that has increased student support and helped integrate curriculums with a common campus reading, bringing nationally renowned authors here for class and community discussions. The college has met its goals for the major gifts campaign, raising more than $3 million for scholarships and college advancement. Grants and donations allow the college to be innovative in ways not possible because of decreases in state appropriations. Thank you to all who have supported the college.


Partnerships and advocacy are two vital elements of growing a successful community college. Increased articulation, transfer and joint grant submissions with our local colleges were some of the benefits of the strong partnership between Brescia, Kentucky Wesleyan, WKU-Owensboro and OCTC. The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. and our local elected officials have all strongly advocated for continued support of the college, especially Phase II funding of the ATC. The college's outreach/training unit led the state in providing a broad range of services and training locally. The college actively supports Sister Cities and the World Affairs Council. These partnerships have allowed all to gain a more global perspective. It does take a village to guide the college, and we received much guidance and support. Thanks to all who advocate for us by serving on our boards, advisory councils and committees.


The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, our accrediting body, officially approved OCTC's flawless reaffirmation in June and recognized the college's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) as exemplary. As part of this plan, the faculties integrated the QEP standards into their syllabi and are assuring its implementation in their courses. OCTC increased the use of technology in the classroom with additional projection systems, wireless installation, laptops for faculty, and hired of two new instructional designers, Cheryl Purdy and Jeanne Davis.


Physical improvements include: furniture and flooring in several areas; renovation and furniture in cosmetology; greenhouse construction; and removal of chain link fencing and installation of wrought iron on the Southeastern Campus. Construction is in progress on additional parking areas.


Moving ahead, we hope the new year will bring Phase II funding for the ATC, as much needed equipment and additional space is included in the request. We have an outstanding faculty and staff at OCTC. A good example is Michael Boyd, program coordinator of the business program, named as the sole recipient of the 2007 USA Today Entrepreneurship Faculty of the Year Award by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship for his work on the IMAC project. National recognition of this kind helps spur more entrepreneurial projects among faculty and staff. The college is working toward increasing cultural diversity and has hired a new director of cultural diversity, Lorna Hollowell, to drive this mission.


We have begun the hiring process for positions associated with the $825,000 Biotech Kentucky grant supporting biotechnology in our region. The opening of the ATC will bring all of our manufacturing programs and their students to the main campus. This will not only alter the landscape of the main campus but offer many options for the downtown campus.


Most important, we will continue our search for a new president to lead the college in 2007, but we will always keep our mission to serve the community foremost in our minds as we truly aspire to be your community's college.