KCTCS NEWS RELEASE – for immediate release
Contact: Jackie Bondurant, (859) 246-3219
KCTCS awards honorary degrees
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 14, 2004) – Two honorary associate degrees in humane letters were awarded at spring commencements at Gateway Community and Technical College and Henderson Community College.
Gateway Community and Technical College presented an honorary degree to Rep. James Callahan for his contributions to the establishment of a comprehensive community and technical college in northern Kentucky.
A state representative in the 67th House District since 1987, Callahan serves as Majority Caucus Chair. In 1997, he was the primary sponsor of House Bill 1, the Kentucky Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997, which created the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).
“His advocacy for Gateway and KCTCS is unmatched in the General Assembly and in our region,” said G. Edward Hughes, president of Gateway Community and Technical College.
Henderson Community College bestowed an honorary degree on William L. Sullivan for his commitment and dedication to the college. Sullivan has served the Henderson area and the Commonwealth as state senator, president pro-tem of the senate, and lieutenant governor.
Sullivan was one of the founding fathers of the college’s foundation board. He has served on the board since its inception 48 years ago, acting in the capacity of board chair for over 20 years. Currently, he serves a leadership role in the college’s major gifts “Fulfilling the Promise” campaign.
“Over the years, Mr. Sullivan has been a stalwart in the development of our college,” said Patrick R. Lake, president of Henderson Community College.
In May 2003, the KCTCS Board of Regents approved a policy on honorary degrees, which authorized individual colleges to award honorary associate degrees in humane letters (honoris causa) to individuals who have contributed significantly to the awarding college or KCTCS. The authorization is contingent upon Board of Regents approval.
The honorary associate degrees were approved at the May meeting of the KCTCS Board of Regents upon recommendation of KCTCS President Michael B. McCall.
KCTCS colleges change lives by providing academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information, visit www.kctcs.edu .