Veteran college staff member attends last board luncheon Thursday
Paducah, KY (11/13/2023) — Janett Blythe of Mayfield received a standing ovation from the members of the West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) Board of Directors and the Paducah Junior College (PJC), Inc. Board of Trustees Thursday, November 9, during the annual joint boards luncheon meeting. PJC is the foundation for WKCTC.
WKCTC President Anton Reece announced that Blythe, WKCTC's director of marketing and communication, will be retiring in December after working at the college for 30 years.
"Janett Blythe has provided extraordinary service to the college and as an important support to me as president by having a critical role in honing the branding, supporting the vision, and archiving the history of the consolidated college," Reece said. "The joint Board recognition reflects a deep legacy and several colleagues who wish her the best in the next chapter of her journey."
A graduate of Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Va., and the University of Florida, Blythe worked eight years as a reporter and columnist with The Paducah Sun before joining what was then West Kentucky Technical College (WKTC) in 1993. WKTC and Paducah Community College consolidated in 2003 to form today's West Kentucky Community and Technical College.
"I know it's going to be hard leaving," Blythe joked to the audience at the joint board meeting, "I've seen some of you more than I've seen my own family."
After lunch, both boards had brief informational meetings; PJC Board Chair Chris Black and WKCTC Board Chair Jay Simmons led their prospective meetings. Board members received updates on the upcoming faculty and staff annual holiday luncheon, fall graduation, and the Advancement report.
In 2000, after the unexpected death of her 38-year-old brother, Donald Blythe, Blythe helped establish a scholarship for black or surgical technology students. Donald had graduated from WKTC with a surgical technology credential. After her second brother died in 2011, the fund's name changed slightly to the Donald and Kevin Blythe Memorial Scholarship Fund.
"We've come a long way with the scholarship fund." 62-year-old Janett Blythe said. "I'm so proud of that and hope we will continue to get donations to the fund."
The author of three books about the college, Blythe won several regional and state marketing awards during her tenure as marketing director. "When I leave, I know I'm leaving the college's marketing office in very capable and extremely dedicated hands," she said.
Donations to the Donald and Kevin Blythe Memorial Fund can be made out to Paducah Junior College, Inc., the foundation of WKCTC, and mailed to WKCTC/PJC. P.O. Box 7380, Paducah, KY 42002-7380.
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Retiring WKCTC Marketing Director Janett Blythe shows off the unique craved bowl and chocolates made by Chef Erik Engelland, WKCTC's dean of applied technologies and coordinator of the Culinary Arts program. Chef Engelland presented Blythe with the gift before the joint boards' luncheon on Nov. 9th in the College Bistro. Blythe retires on December 15.