Donor Stories

Several years ago, I volunteered at a local drug and alcohol recovery center. As I learned more about substance use and the recovery process, I realized a need for clients to be able to continue their education to improve employability. When my son Nick passed away from a drug overdose just over three years ago, my family and I started the Nick Parrish Scholarship of Hope through the BCTC Foundation. My family is proud to have awarded three scholarships to worthy BCTC students. I believe in the mission of BCTC and am proud that my passion for community and technical college
programs and those in recovery met to honor my son's memory.

Laura Parrish, IT Project Coordinator- Projects, Analysis, & Development

 

I give to BCTC because as a retired teacher, I want a good education to be available to anyone who has a desire to better themselves. I give a scholarship in honor of my parents because they were my first teachers-teachers who never stopped urging me to be a better person, to never stop learning and to always encourage others to be their best self.

JoEllen Reed, Director of Advocacy and Community Relations

 

I give because I see first-hand how much we do at BCTC with so little money. It is easy to give when I do pay roll deduction as I don't even have to think about it. I have given to UK since I graduated in 1978 and I feel we need it so much more here so it's a no-brainer for me. 

Janella Spencer, Professor and Coordinator of Dental Hygiene

 

 

I am so grateful for our faculty, staff, and students at Bluegrass. Our student success stories are so inspiring and I really believe in the mission of community and technical colleges. Our employees are so dedicated to our students and helping them to achieve their goals and find a better way of life whether they encounter them in the classroom or on campus as a part of their job duties. As a single mother of four sons, I witnessed firs-hand the passion and commitment that our folks have to our students as two of my sons graduated from our programs going on to careers and furthering their education. Family, both my work family and the experiences of my own family at BCTC inspire me to give back so that more students can succeed and build a better life for their families!

Deb Catlett, Associate Vice President for Institutional Development

 

I believe in the mission of BCTC, and am so honored to be a part of that mission. After working with our students for the past 17 years, I have seen, many times, the impact completing educational goals can make on a life. Our students come to us with many different goals and challenges. However, they all have one thing in common ... to create a better life for themselves and their families. I want to be a part of helping them achieve their goals, and one way to do that is by giving back to the college that has given so much to others, and to me.

Terry Buckner, Director of Libraries and Tutoring, Coordinator for Library Technology Program

 

I choose to make a gift to my college because it is an important way to put students first. I know that speaking of my personal commitment to BCTC matters when I ask donors to support the transformative work that we do here. Others dollars, combined with my own, allow us to provide financial aid, world-class teaching and innovative programming that helps our students develop the skills and the confidence necessary to reach their goals and achieve their dreams.

Koffi C. Akakpo, PhD, President/CEO