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Herald-Leader
October 19, 2003
Money must be found to continue Kentucky's progress
Attracting federal lab would be a priority
By Ernie Fletcher
I am so pleased to increasingly see Kentuckians embracing the value of in-state
higher education. Enrollments in Kentucky's post-secondary institutions are
up a record 23 percent since 1998. Our community and technical colleges have
seen enrollments increase by 54 percent. Furthermore, retention rates are higher
and graduation rates are increasing.
Kentucky's higher education reforms of 1997 have been a resounding success,
and it will be imperative that the next governor continues the momentum and
push our higher education commitment to the next level.
While our post-secondary institutions must not lose their liberal-arts focus,
Kentucky's research universities, regional universities and community and technical
colleges should be cornerstones of our work force and economic development policy.
These institutions bring educational opportunities to every corner of Kentucky.
Enrollments are increasing everywhere. Since 1998, Western Kentucky University's
enrollment is up 23 percent. Northern Kentucky University's is up 18 percent
and Morehead State and Murray State universities' are each up 13 percent each.
This year's incoming class at the University of Kentucky featured a 30 percent
increase in the number of African-American freshmen.
This year, the University of Louisville estimates that its graduate and professional
enrollment will significantly exceed its targets set by the Council of Postsecondary
Education.
In September, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System announced
that 71,000 students had enrolled this year, a record for the system and a nearly
5 percent increase from last year. This year, over 109,000 Kentuckians were
enrolled in adult education -- an increase of more than 23,000 students.
All of this demonstrates a significant and positive trend. Kentuckians are
placing a greater value on higher education. We are realizing that to compete
in today's "knowledge economy," Kentuckians must be equipped with
the skills that prospective employers demand.
For those who make the commitment to lifetime learning, their investment in
higher education is paying off through higher wages, better health and increased
opportunities.
Kentucky's universities have a tremendous amount to offer. Among other things,
UK's College of Pharmacy is ranked third in the nation, and the U of L is pursuing
breakthrough technologies through its health science programs. Our regional
universities provide excellent opportunities for traditional and non-traditional
students to pursue post-secondary education close to home.
KCTCS, through its statewide network of more than 60 community and technical
campuses, tailors its programs to meet not only the work force development demands
of local industry but also to meet the demands of an active society with Kentuckians
balancing work, family and continuing education.
With all of these positive indicators, it is imperative that we remain committed
to higher education. As the next governor, I will work to provide our universities
and community colleges with the resources they need to give their expanding
student bodies the skills they want and employers demand. This will help ensure
that tuitions stay as low as possible. Tuitions must not be allowed to skyrocket
and cause the opportunity to get an advanced education to be beyond the reach
of hard-working Kentuckians.
Furthermore, we must continue to invest in universities' research capacity
through "Bucks for Brains." By the end of the third round, $700 million
in research and development funding will have been dedicated to our institutions
through a combination of public bonds and private contributions. These resources
have been used to bring in world-class scientists and engineers to conduct research
to develop products, grow companies and improve the health and standard of living
of all Kentuckians.
One of my priorities is to work to bring a federal research laboratory to Kentucky
dedicated to biomedical research. This federal facility will complement the
work in the biomedical field being conducted at Kentucky's major research universities.
We'll promote technology transfers between state universities, the federal lab
and the private sector, which will encourage the formation of new, high-tech
companies. We'll integrate the federal lab with university research parks and
economic development strategies to grow knowledge economy industries throughout
the state.
Finally, to meet Kentucky's higher education needs and address the many other
important issues facing the state, we must clean up the mess in Frankfort and
restore hope and opportunity for every Kentuckian.
The Messenger
October 15, 2003
Grant sets up weekend study
Madisonville Community College is developing a “career ladder” for
nurses with the help of a $444,000 three-year grant from the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services.
Through the new Nurse Mobility Project, MCC will offer evening and weekend
certified nursing assistant and licensed practical nurse classes starting in
January.
The program is modeled after the college’s registered nurse weekend program.
“The evening and weekend classes will allow students to work during the
day and continue their education without missing work,” said Clara Dorris,
LPN program coordinator. “Many of our students can’t afford to quit
their jobs to come to college. The Nurse Mobility Project will allow them to
move from CNA to LPN to RN thanks to flexible scheduling.”
Dorris said she believes the Nurse Mobility Project promotes the type of seamless
education promoted by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
Nursing shortages are being felt all across the United States, as well as in
Kentucky, she said. With aging baby boomers needing health care and fewer people
coming into the nursing profession, there will be an increased demand for trained
nurses.
“Offering classes on the weekend will help meet the personnel needs of
long-term and acute health care facilities in our area. In the past, nursing
shortages have been cyclical, but for now, it looks like the need will only
increase,” said Dorris.
Community colleges are the primary educators of nurses in the United States,
according to a study by the American Association of Community Colleges.
“This grant will increase the annual number of nursing graduates, adding
145 CNAs, 45 LPNs and 15 RNs to the number of graduates already completing MCC’s
traditional daytime programs,” Dorris said.
There were 212 colleges or universities who applied for the HHS Career Ladder
grant, with 100 being approved and just 11 receiving funding.
Daily Independent
October 17, 2003
Justices in town
Supreme Court meets in Ashland
The state's highest court convened Thursday in Ashland, giving students and
the public a glimpse of what goes on during its sessions.
The seven justices of the Kentucky Supreme Court heard oral arguments in three
cases at the J.B. Sowards Theater at Ashland Community and Technical College
and afterwards fielded questions from an audience that included high school
and college students and some members of the area legal community.
The session was part of a yearly initiative in which the court meets in different
parts of the state to promote public education.
When the clerk called on the audience to rise and intoned the traditional "Oyez,
Oyez" that opens court sessions, there were a few titters from some of
the younger audience members, but others hushed them as the black-robed justices
filed in.
The three cases, from Edmonson, Fleming and Jefferson County, involved questions
of adoption law, property rights and municipal government.
However, most of those watching, like teacher Rex Cooksey's American government
class from Fairview High School, were just interested in seeing how the court
works.
"How many opportunities do you get to see the Kentucky Supreme Court in
action?" said Cooksey, who also plans to take the class to Frankfort to
see a session of the General Assembly.
Spending three hours watching court proceedings "was worth the time,"
said April Pemberton, a Fairview senior. "We don't know much about what
goes on in court."
Watching the procedure was good experience for one going into law enforcement,
said ACTC criminal justice major Bradley Dutton. "It helps us know how
to handle cases, what information to gather, procedural information. We learn
how law enforcement and courts tie in."
Most people are accustomed to the way local district and circuit courts work,
but aren't familiar with the appeals process, said Boyd Circuit Judge Marc Rosen,
who attended the session.
"This gives the community the opportunity to see how the Supreme Court
actually works," said Rosen, who clerked for two of the court's justices
in 1981 and 1982, following his law school days.
Other school groups included ones from Boyd County High and Ramey-Estep High.
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