HCC enrollment at all-time high -- again

5th annual KCTCS seminar builds faculty/staff leadership

Community honors Brown Badgett Sr.

Madisonville college gets big pledge from Badgett

HCC enrollment at all-time high -- again

Henderson Community College is still on the grow.

The 44-year-old school announced Wednesday that its 2004 fall enrollment as of Nov. 1 is 1,986 -- another record breaker for the local institution.

HCC President Patrick Lake pointed out that "for several years in a row, we've had growth." Lake noted that when he became the school's president in early 1986, "The enrollment was under 900. It's been amazing to see the growth we've had."

He indicated that while "everybody has worked really hard" to build enrollment, it is a mixed blessing because the school has received no new state money this year for student programs.

Because of a barebones operating budget, HCC applied for and was awarded a federal Title III grant this fall that will provide $360,000 annually for five years to hire additional instructors, promote professional development, upgrade campus information technology and establish a scholarship endowment.

"We've had to find ways to stretch funds and be responsive to needs," Lake said.

Much of this year's enrollment hike is attributed to increased participation in business and industry training courses.

While student headcount is rising, the full-time equivalent number, 870, represents a slight decrease over last year's FTE total of 876.

Lake believes that may be a result of the hefty 16.5 percent tuition increase that went into effect this semester for Kentucky Community and Technical College System schools, which include HCC.

Because the cost per credit hour has gone from last academic year's $79 to this academic year's $92 for in-state students and for southwestern Indiana students covered in a reciprocity arrangement, Lake said some students may be taking fewer classes. Out-of-state HCC students not covered through a reciprocity arrangement are charged $276 per credit hour, up $39 from last year.

"I think we've probably reached a saturation point on tuition," Lake said. He previously has stated he will not be in favor of "another substantial increase."

He said Wednesday the school "is just going to continue working to provide the programs and courses people need, and hope for the best."

Hazard Herald
November 3, 2004

5th annual KCTCS seminar builds faculty/staff leadership

Two employees from Hazard Community and Technical College are among the 28 faculty and staff from across the Commonwealth that have been named to the 2004 New Horizons leadership class of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).

Chosen from HCTC were Jennifer Chester, Associate Professor/Business Liaison and Donna Roark, Director of Information Technology Services. Both are glad to participate in the program.

Mrs. Chester said she learned a great deal more about the history and leadership of KCTCS and gained a better understanding of strategic decisions that they have had to make. “I also learned more about the leadership qualities I possess and the ones that I must work to improve. I hope to use what I learned to improve the quality of services that are provided to HCTC students daily. At the President's Leadership Seminar, I gained numerous new friends,” Mrs. Chester said.

Mrs. Roark also said she valued the opportunity to network with fellow colleagues throughout KCTCS who are striving to become a better leader for their college and community. She said one of the greatest benefits was the opportunity to interact with nationally recognized leaders who provided insight through their various roles as leaders. “I found this to be very inspirational,” Mrs. Roark said. “I believe it will be helpful in giving me a broader perspective on my role as a campus manager. I see the need to help my staff understand the broader goals and mission of the college and how their efforts support those goals and our students,” she said.

The employees were in Lexington in late September to participate in the fifth annual professional development experience which is designed for participants to explore in a collegial environment such broad-ranging issues as leadership traits, national issues and trends, professionalism, media relations and customer service.

The New Horizons President’s Leadership Seminar promotes and strengthens leadership in and among faculty and staff to advance KCTCS, and their own personal and professional goals.

“New Horizon projects and programs are designed to strengthen the organization as a whole in order to promote excellence in all that we do,” said Michael B. McCall, president of KCTCS and sponsor of the seminar. “Leadership, along with service and support of students, employers, and our communities are the fundamental responsibilities of all faculty and staff.”

Dr. Jay K. Box, president/CEO of Hazard Community andTechnical College said Mrs. Chester and Mrs. Roark were chosen, in part, because of the leadership they have already demonstrated at the college. “These are very energetic, qualified employees who excel at their jobs on a daily basis. I am not surprised that Dr. McCall chose both Jennifer and Donna for the program. We know we will continue to see great work from them in the future,” Dr. Box said.

The Madisonville Messenger
November 4, 2004

Community honors Brown Badgett Sr.

Brown Badgett Sr. Appreciation Day, held at Glema Mahr Center for the Arts, marked the announcement of his $1.2 million gift to Madisonville Community College. As a result, the planned Energy and Advanced Technology Center will be named in his honor.

“It will be a legacy to Brown Badgett and the Badgett family that always his name will be on that building,” Dr. Judy Rhoads, MCC president, said to the crowd of about 500 people.

“Our center is different than other centers in Kentucky because it features energy,” she said. “No one has been more supportive of our efforts than Brown Badgett.”

The Madisonville businessman flew a group of 12 people to Frankfort to promote the project with Gov. Ernie Fletcher during the last legislative session. The $14 million project received partial funding in Fletcher’s recommended budget, but the General Assembly failed to pass a state spending plan because of partisan bickering.

Local officials hope the project will be fully funded next year.

“We are hopeful in the next legislative session, the Energy and Advanced Technology Center will be funded,” Rhoads said. “The governor is here. The legislators are here. It’s a strong statement that the center is needed and can make a real difference in economic development and education in our community.”

Badgett’s gift, which comes in the form of an irrevocable life insurance policy, won’t be used for construction costs. Instead, it will go to the college’s endowments. When combined with his past gifts, it totals nearly $1.6 million, making him eligible to have something at the school named for him.

Fletcher, who sat next to Badgett during the ceremony, called him “a true friend of education, true friend of sports and true friend of the commonwealth of Kentucky.”

“Here is an individual that has been contributing to Kentucky for a number of years, but still understands new techniques and technologies are needed,” Fletcher said. “As we look at the new technology in coal — coal-bed methane, particularly — it’s important that we have individuals like this who continue to contribute.”

Public colleges need the support of private individuals, he said.

Fletcher praised Badgett for his “work over the years and support of Kentucky in all spectrums, making sure we have jobs available, improving extraction of our natural resources, providing support for our athletic programs and, not only that, support of education.”

UK basketball coach Tubby Smith moved up on the program so he could head back to

Lexington for basketball practice.

“Mr. Badgett was the one who suggested I better get back for practice,” Smith said, to the crowd’s laughter.

Smith said he was pleased to be in Madisonville “to help honor Mr. Badgett and show him appreciation for all the things he’s done during the year, not just athletics and Kentucky athletics, but for his community.”

Then, came the fish stories — most centering around a fishing trip Smith took with Badgett.

“I made a mistake and caught a fish bigger than Mr. Badgett caught,” Smith said. “That was a no-no.”

Former UK coach Joe B. Hall and equipment manager Bill Keightley, known as “Mr. Wildcat,” — who were both at Thursday’s event — had warned him not to do that.

“But I couldn’t help it,” Smith said. “You know, that was the last time I went on a fishing trip.”

When Hall came to the podium, he said, “Brown Badgett, first I want to warn Tubby. Catching that big fish was a bad mistake, but telling all these people about it — you’ll never get to go on that trip.”

Hall listed his heroes, mostly sports stars.

“We’ve all had heroes,” he said. “People we aspire to be like. ... It doesn’t seem like we manufacture heroes like we used to. What’s so refreshing is to see a community recognize one of its own as a hero.”

Other speakers included Michael Pape from U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield’s office and retired Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Thomas B. Spain, who filled his time at the podium with numerous jokes.

“I was a shy, timid lad until I went fishing with Brown Badgett,” Spain said.

Then, the presentations began. Badgett was given a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol, a certificate of congressional recognition, a resolution that Thursday was Brown Badgett Sr. Day in Hopkins County, a Kentucky Senate citation, framed letter from Madisonville Mayor Karen Cunningham, a banner with students’ signatures” and more.

“I didn’t know I was such a nice guy until today,” Badgett said.

“I want to thank everybody here for this honor being bestowed on me,” he said. “We all contribute to making a great place out of the Madisonville community.”

He said he and his wife, Heidi, still think Madisonville is the best town on Earth as the signs used to proclaim.

As for the fish — the one Smith caught weighed 124 pounds, Badgett said.

“I heard Tubby telling the other day that it weighed 724 pounds,” he said, adding that Smith has been hanging around Hall too much.

Badgett concluded, “I’m going to make it a good speech and make it short and say thanks so much.”

Evansville Courier and Press
November 5, 2004

Madisonville college gets big pledge from Badgett

MADISONVILLE -- Madisonville businessman Brown Badgett Sr. made history for Madisonville Community College Thursday when he delivered a pledge of $1.2 million to the school's Fulfilling the Promise fund-raising campaign.

Made in the form of an irrevocable insurance trust to be paid upon his and his wife Heidi's deaths, it boosts the total for the college's $5 million drive to $3.75 million, said MCC President Judith Rhoads.

It is the single largest donation the college has received and follows nearly $400,000 the coal operator and road contractor has given to the school in past drives.

Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher, University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith and former coach Joe B. Hall joined some 500 staff, students and community residents at a noon ceremony to honor Badgett.

Fletcher said Badgett's gift, along with contributions of $25,000 or more from 23 others to the fund-raising drive this year, "sends a resounding message for us and shows us where we are and where we need to be going."

Smith and Hall joked about fishing trips and long-standing friendships with the Badgetts. Smith said Badgett reminded him of his father -- who taught him it was better to give than to receive and to leave the world a better place than he found it.

Hall rated Badgett a hero, a person to admire and aspire to be like.

"Heroes are kind of disappearing," Hall said. "They don't seem to manufacture them like they used to -- Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth. But what's so refreshing is to see a community recognize one of its own as a hero."

Badgett also received recognition and tokens of appreciation from representatives of Rep. Ed Whitfield, the Kentucky General Assembly and Madisonville and Hopkins County governments.

"I didn't know I was such a nice guy," said Badgett, whose name will be applied to the college's planned Energy and Advanced Technology Center.

Construction of that $14 million building has been delayed by the Kentucky General Assembly's failure to adopt a state budget earlier this year.

Rhoads is hopeful the tech center will be budgeted for construction when the legislature meets again in January.

Badgett's pledge, the college president said, will be used for the development of new education programs, sponsoring scholarships and funding arts programs and existing programs.

Badgett has a history of providing financial assistance to educational programs in Hopkins County and elsewhere.

In the 1990s, he helped to lead a $6 million fund-raising drive for the college and has made major contributions to construction of the Joe C. Davis Science Building on the Madisonville campus and to development of its satellite campus in Muhlenberg County.

He facilitated the development of the Badgett Regional center for Educational Enhancement at Madisonville, which provides a professional development and networking source for 11 western Kentucky school districts. He has also provided more than $2.6 million to Hopkins County schools for development of athletic complexes at Madisonville-North Hopkins and Hopkins Central high school.

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association inducted him into its Hall of Fame in recognition of those contributions earlier this year.

The Brown Badgett Foundation also awards annually 10 renewable scholarships to Hopkins County students attending four-year schools. Since 1990, the foundation has awarded more than $60,000 in scholarships.