West Kentucky Community & Technical College

CONGRATULATIONS! West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Diagnostic Medical Sonography Class of 2023 recently completed the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) Board exam with a 100% first time pass rate! We are very proud of our students and their hard work and dedication!

Eleven Education students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College recently volunteered at the Sixth Annual Regional Educators Awards and Scholarship Program on March 30, 2023. More than 400 educators, family, friends, and students were on hand to cheer for and recognize the honorees, and the Education students greeted guests, answered questions, and gave directions. "I really appreciated their help," said Tammy Thompson, WKCTC's public relations coordinator. "They helped us have a successful event.

We applaud West Kentucky Community and Technical College's 2022 graduates of the Surgical Technology program who received a 100 percent pass rate on the Certified Surgical Technologist exam! We are so proud of all of you! Congratulations to the WKCTC Surgical Technology Program Coordinator Paul Craig as well! #WKCTCProud

Congratulations to WKCTC's Juliaun Pracht of West Paducah who was recently named the January Student of the Month for Continental Belts and Hose, and was featured on the Tomorrow's Tech website. He won the Continental Student of the Month contest, which spotlights outstanding automotive students across the United States. We are proud of you, Juliaun!!

Congratulations to Megan Greenwell, a McCracken County resident and WKCTC Diagnostic Medical Sonography student, who is the featured speaker at the college's Fall 2021 Walk-Thru Commencement on Saturday, December 11.

More than 15 culinary arts students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College used their skills to prepare and serve a holiday luncheon for the college's board of directors and Paducah Junior College, Inc. Board of Trustees in the College Bistro Thursday, November 18.

Paducah resident Juliaun Pracht, 20, a West Kentucky Community and Technical College automotive technology student, is one of two community college students selected to work alongside the RMR Top Alcohol drag racing team September 2-5th at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. According to contest officials, the two young technicians stood out from the crowd in their applications and video submissions that detailed their passion for motorsports and automotive repair.

Sixty-three students received their GED in 2020-21 from West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Skills U, the adult education program at the college. Congratulations everyone!

Congratulations to Tori Gardner! She won the $50 gift card at the Constitution Bee at West Kentucky Community and Technical College in September 2021. Tori lives in Paducah and is a chemistry major at the College. She and other WKCTC students tested their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution to celebrate Constitution Week (September 17-23, 2021), which commemorates the formation and signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787. The WKCTC Culinary program provided great-tasting Ice Milk during the event.

Students in the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Program and MLT student organization at West Kentucky Community and Technical College recently donated $360 to St. Jude's Hospital. Over the past two years, MLT students and Associate Professor and MLT Program Coordinator Jonathan Johnson raised the money through donations from their own pockets. "The COVID-19 pandemic affected the students' ability to go out and raise funds from local organizations as we were able to do in past years," said Johnson. "But we didn't want that to stop us from giving to this worthy organization." The money raised this year was sent to St. Jude's Hospital in May 2021. The MLT organization donates to a different worthy cause every two years when an MLT class graduates.

Students in Alpha Epsilon Beta (AEB), the criminal justice club at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, presented a check for $2,000 to Paducah's Child Watch Counseling and Advocacy Center on May 19, 2021. The money was raised during the club's 2021 Justice Virtual 5K walk/run, making the total given by AEB to over $19,000 for the fight against child abuse since its first race in 2011. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the 2020 race was cancelled, and this year's race was virtual with community members participating in a walk or run any time between April 1-30. The 2021 Justice Run was the tenth year for the event. Those in the donation photo (left to right) are AEB members Savana Watson, Katrina Wood, Caitlin Dillman and Shannon Pearson; Gary Reese AEB advisor; Melissa Durbin, AEB co-advisor; Janie Criner, Child Watch executive director; Stephanie Steele Child Watch administrative manager; and Elizabeth Thomasson, AEB president We are proud you!

Students who are members of the Student Art and Design Club at West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Paducah School of Art and Design (PSAD) created a unique coloring book to help area youth learn about Paducah history. PSAD faculty and club advisors helped the students with the project. Coloring books were recently delivered to local elementary schools and the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club in April 2021. Way to go everyone!

Nicole Heath of Graves County overcame many obstacles to succeed, including being named February Student of the Month for 2021 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. Congratulations Nicole! We are so proud of you!

Congratulations to the winners of the 2021Virtual Open Mic Contest at West Kentucky Community College.

Congratulations to Gabe Jones, an Eagle Scout with Troop #2200 of Paducah, who is currently enrolled as a first-year welding student at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. Jones was featured in the November newsletter, "The Blueprint," from AGC of Western Kentucky, which is a chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. When Jones was in the seventh grade, he participated in the annual AGC/MSU (Murray State University) Boy Scout Merit Badge. At that time he completed the Welding Badge under welding instructor Virgil Holland, WKCTC Welding Technology Program coordinator. "I found my passion for welding while taking the merit badge," said Jones. Holland and WKCTC welding instructors said Jones is a "top notch" student and possesses the desired qualities companies seek in an employee. We are #WKCTCProud of him! Anyone interested in the WKCTC Welding Technology Program, can contact Virgil Holland at virgil.holland@kctcs.edu.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Iota Eta, recently participated in a virtual 5K event held by the PTK National Foundation, the organization that supports scholarships for PTK members from around the world. WKCTC's virtual race, that raised $385 for the PTK Foundation, was held on the Paducah's Greenway Trail on September 19, 2020. Other participants ran or walked on their own at their preferred time and location. "We want to thank all participants for their support of our student members!" said Dr. Kevin Gericke, WKCTC Iota Eta advisor. Way to go everyone!

Fatiah Turkmani of Paducah, a freshman at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, recently received a $100 gift card for participating in the college's Pathway to Enrollment in July 2020. "I found out about the Pathways to Enrollment event through email, and I signed up online to make an appointment with advising to sign up for my classes," said Fatiah, who said she planned to attend WKCTC after taking dual credit courses during her senior year at McCracken County High School. "I am trying to get my Associate in Science, to go into pharmacy school. I'm trying to get certified as a pharmacy technician right now." Congratulations Fatiah!

PHOTO RELEASE: Tyler Raker of Paducah, a student at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, won a laptop computer from a virtual event June 24 on the college's Facebook page and YouTube channel. Raker, who is working toward an associate in applied science degree, is among 30 current and new WKCTC students who registered for fall classes during a six-hour online event called "Fall Into Your Goals," which made them eligible to win the laptop. WKCTC faculty and staff answered students' questions about the college's student services including financial aid, advising, admissions, tutoring, career services and more. Several others won gift cards for participating in the event. "This is amazing," Raker said. Fall registration at WKCTC is underway. Contact the WKCTC Advising Center at 270-534-3216 or wkctcadvising@kctcs.edu to setup an appointment.

Due to COVID-19, physical therapist assistant (PTA) students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College had their "First-Ever Best Stay Safe at Home Activity/Photo Contest" in April 2020. Students sent in photos and shared what they are doing with their families while staying safe and healthy at home. PTA Program Coordinator Mary Jo Campbell said there were "lots of great pictures with kids and dogs and surprisingly a lot of other animals too!" The PTA students who submitted photos were: 1st year students: Jessi Brewer Leah Kluemper (Mary) Carson Dubrock Allie Davis Deane White Randi Futrell Courtney Burkeen 2nd year students: Caitlin Shaffer Emily Crawford Walker Grubbs Kate Moore Kayla Baker Andrea Favela The winner was Jessi Brewer. This is what she said about her photo: "...helping my Grandpa who had a stroke last year get back on a horse! He was a three-time world champion barrel racer and wanted to get back in the saddle!" Jessi's prize was extra credit bonus points on her final exam and a "free homework pass". Great job to all the PTA students!

Congratulations to Trina Cruse, a nontraditional student who is returning to WKCTC. She registered for the spring 2020 semester during the week of January 6-10, when the college was open for extended hours. Students who registered during that week were entered into a drawing for a gift basket from Paducah's Midtown Market. Trina won! She is returning to WKCTC after more than ten years. She earned as associate in science degree and has come back to earn an associate in applied science degree in medical information technology, medical coding. Trina plans to work from home upon graduating, and hopes to continue her education at WKCTC in the future to become a nurse. Welcome back, Trina!

Dental Assistant Recognition Week (also known as DARW) is held the first full week in March each year. The dental assistant students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College celebrate DARW 2020 on March 1-6. Each is choosing to do something special for the dental assistants at their clinical sites, such as taking sweet treats to the sites and writing a thank you card! WKCTC dental assisting program faculty also recognized the Class of 2020 dental assisting students by surprising them with a brunch on March 2 to celebrate the week. Congrats to all the students!

Courtney McMackin was all smiles as she accepted her Holiday Gift to Yourself grand prize from WKCTC President Anton Reece on December 13, 2019. Holiday Gift to Yourself encouraged students to register early for the 2020 spring semester and have their names entered into a prize drawing. WKCTC students who registered for spring classes were entered into the drawing for a $50 gift card, with one student winning a card each week between October 29 and December 10. As the grand prize winner, Courtney won a $50 gift card as well as $500 toward 2020 spring tuition! Courtney is studying to be an elementary school teacher. Congratulations Courtney and all the WKCTC student winners!

Congratulations to the winners of the Sustainability Month Donation Challenge for The Campus Cupboard food pantry at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. The winners were announced early in November 2019. First place winners were the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Educators (IECE) club. Before donating their boxes of instant oatmeal, they spelled out IECE! for a photo with the boxes. Their group won $100. Second place winner ($50) was Alpha Epsilon Beta (AEB), for their donations of canned carrots. Third place winner ($25) was the West Kentucky men's basketball club for donations of canned pasta. The Campus Cupboard is always appreciative of all donations of shelf-stable food, as well as toiletries and personal hygiene products. Participation in this contest helped stock the shelves!

Several West Kentucky Community and Technical College business students volunteered their time at the unveilling of the college's new Business Immersion Center. Students demonstrated the benefits of having a center to incorporate enhanced technology and innovations into the classroom while providing students with a collaborative creative workspace. The new center will allow students in WKCTC's business programs to use workplace-based computer simulations to help students develop soft skills and professional behavior needed in today's workplace. Students who helped at the grand opening of the center on Nov. 21 were Kylie Cavanah, Kelsey Couch, Nakyia Kelly and Hannah Lester, all of Paducah, Alisha Boone of Grand Rivers, Tish Canter of Symsonia, Lindy Warner of Fancy Farm, Audrey Thompson of Metropolis, Ill, Patrick Stephens of Benton, and Greg Kildow of Almo.

Four West Kentucky Community and Technical College students participated in a Clean-Up Day at the campus south parking lot on March 8, 2019. The clean-up was led by Hannah Nickell, WKCTC's Environmental Education Americorp Leader. Great job everyone!

National Pharmacy Technician Day 2019 was October 15. In a morning math calculations class, several students in the Pharmacy Technology Program at West Kentucky Community and Technical College celebrated the day with an eye-opening cake. A pharmacy technician plays a vital role in assisting pharmacists and providing safe care to patients in a wide variety of settings. Future employment for these students may include pharmacy settings in retail, hospital, compounding, veterinary, and oncology centers. Nice job!

WKCTC student and Knott County resident Amy Hawkins is the 2018 Football Spring Registration Kickoff grand prize winner. She won $500 toward 2019 spring tuition! Amy also received a certificate as the grand prize winner from WKCTC President Dr. Anton Reece Thursday, November 29. The registration kickoff was a fun play on the popularity of the football season and encouraged students to register early for 2019 spring classes. Students who registered early during the month of October had their names entered into a prize drawing. A student's name was drawn each Monday for a prize between October 29 and November 19. In addition to Amy being the grand prize winner on November 19, other winners included: Week 1 (October 29) - Kaleb Binder, Talon Falls tickets; Week 2 (November 5) - Brock Burnham, WKCTC bookstore basket; Week 3 (November 12) - Colson Swinford, gas card. Congrats to Amy and all the winners!

More than 80 WKCTC students recevied special recognition at the 2018 Student Development Leader Recognition Luncheon Red Carpet event earlier in the spring semester. The luncheon was designed with student, campus and community leaders in mind to recognize exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to service. Awardees included those dedicated to diversity and inclusion, community service, as well as the college's SGA officers, student ambassadors, West Kentucky basketball players, Students of the Month and Student of the Year, campus clubs and others. Community organizations were also honored during the event. Congrats to everyone!

WKCTC students volunteered to make this year's Eggstravaganza that was held earlier in the spring 2018 semester another big success! Thanks for all your hard work to make the day special for the kids and their families!

Fourteen West Kentucky Community and Technical College students participated in the annual "Patterns of Distinction - Security Matters" conference co-sponsored by the Center for Telecommunications Systems Management at Murray State University Thursday, April 26, highlighting the importance of security in small businesses. The conference was co-hosted with Community Financial Services Bank.