West Kentucky Community & Technical College

West Kentucky Community and Technical College recognized more than 1,000 candidates for graduation during the Fall 2021. More than 115 WKCTC students participated in one of three walk-thru Fall 2021 Commencement ceremonies aired on the college's Facebook page and YouTube channels on December 11, 2021.

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.

Alpha Epsilon Beta officers were recently installed for 2021-2022. AEB is the criminal justice club at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. Way to go everyone!

The Radiography Class of 2022 at West Kentucky Community and Technical College donated $200 and gift baskets to the Lily Pad, Easterseals West Kentucky's childcare program for medically fragile children located in Paducah, on Thursday, November 4, 2021. Great work WKCTC students!

Congratulations to Caitlin Dillman as the 2021 September Student of the Month at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. Born and raised in Paducah, Caitlin has overcome many obstacles in becoming an excellent student at the college. A criminal justice major, Caitlin said she hopes to work in law enforcement in some way to make a positive impact on people's lives. "I feel honored and humbled to be chosen as a WKCTC Student of the Month. Honestly, if someone would have told me five years ago that this is what my life would look like now, I would have laughed and told them they were crazy," she said. "At that time, I was in active addiction, losing everything and everyone in my life that meant anything to me, and my life was on a path of pure destruction." Caitlin enrolled at WKCTC in 2019, and her life has been on a path to success over the past two years. As a single mother, she said she works hard every day to set a positive example for her three sons, Bentley, 8; Caleb, 4; and Anthony, 2. "I chose WKCTC because it's close to home and it's affordable.I needed somewhere that could work around my schedule and somewhere that I wouldn't just be another name on a roll-call list, and I found that at WKCTC with my amazing professors," she said. Caitlin has served in Alpha Epsilon Beta (AEB), the college's criminal justice club, actively participating and in many activities such as the annual Justice Run to fight against child abuse. She currently serves as the club's president. "I have had the privilege of having Caitlin in class; she is a great leader and facilitator in class discussions. Her attendance and participation positively contribute to student learning in the classroom," said Melissa Durbin, WKCTC instructor and AEB co-advisor. Caitlin said her advice to her fellow WKCTC students is "to never give up. The journey of life is full of potholes, roadblocks, speed bumps and construction zones; adjust your speed accordingly, and you'll make it to your destination with plenty of stories to tell!"

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 and faculty from West Kentucky Community & Technical College's Radiography program participated in Project United Way in September 2021. They spent several hours sprucing up Lone Oak Elementary School by painting several outside entrance doors and basketball goals on the playground. Project United is the United Way of Paducah-McCracken County's annual community-wide day of service, which kicks-off the organization's annual workplace giving campaign each September. Many volunteers completed projects at non-profit agencies including painting, landscaping, office support, and much more. Thank you to our students and faculty and all this year's volunteers for helping to make a positive difference in the community. #wkctcproud

West Kentucky Community and Technical College has eleven players on the 2021-2022 West Kentucky Stars basketball roster. The West Kentucky Stars are coached by Eli Pepper. Go Stars! #WKCTCProud

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.

Congratulations to Elizabeth (Liz) Thomasson for being chosen as WKCTC's June 2021 Student of the Month!

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!

More than 425 students were recently named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2021 semester at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. To be named to the Dean's List, a student must be a full-time WKCTC student earning at least a 3.5 grade point average (GPA) and successfully completing 12 hours or more of course work numbered 100 or above for the academic term.

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!

Krystian Clayton of Marshall County was named 2021 April Student of the Month at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. Congratulations Krystian!

West Kentucky Community and Technical College recognized its 2020-2021 honors students during a virtual tribute today on the college's Facebook page and YouTube channel May 15, 2021. More than 70 WKCTC students were recognized in a variety of subject areas for outstanding achievement. The complete list of honors recipients can be viewed online and can be seen in alphabetical order by award and county. The college produced the tribute video to help recognize the accomplishments of this year's honors students, as an in-person celebration could not be held due to COVID-19 restrictions. Student honors recipients were asked to submit photos for the video. "Through this video tribute, we want to salute you, our distinguished students, and celebrate your accomplishments with family and friends," said WKCTC President Anton Reece. Speakers on the virtual program were Dr. Reece; Carrie Hopper, dean of allied health and personal services; Stephanie Milliken, dean of applied technologies; Britton Shurley, dean of humanities, fine arts, business and social science; Dr. Shari Gholson, dean of nursing; Heather Coltharp, dean of science, math and computer information technologies; Dr. Kevin Gericke, retired Phi Theta Kappa advisor and professor; and Amy Elmore, student life coordinator. WKCTC faculty and staff introduced the names of each of the award winners in more than 25 categories.

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!

Congratulations to Patrick Stephens and Kevonte Kilby for being selected to represent West Kentucky Community and Technical College on the 2021 KCTCS-All Academic Team! They are two of 32 top students to be recognized for this honor from the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).

Student ambassadors at West Kentucky Community and Technical College are outstanding student leaders selected to publicly represent the College, Office of Student Services, and the community in a multitude of essential capacities. A big shout out to the 2021 student ambassadors! Thank you for all you do for WKCTC and the community!

West Kentucky Community and Technical College recognized more than 940 candidates for graduation during a virtual Spring 2021Commencement program that aired today on the college's Facebook page and YouTube channels May 8, 2021. The college's in-person commencement is normally held at The Carson Center for the Performing Arts and had been scheduled for May 8. The ceremony was canceled due to COVID-19. The complete list of Spring 2021 candidate for graduation can be also be seen online and can be seen in alphabetical order by degree and county.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College student Muhammad Bilal recently volunteered at Paducah's Family Sercices Society as part of WKCTC's Service Learning Program. Going above the hour requirement for the program, Muhammad continues to assist Family Service Society, most recently with a Mercy Health Iron Mom painting project. Way to go, Muhummad!

Congratulations to Savana Watson of Paducah for being named March Student of the Month for West Kentucky Community and Technical College!

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

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!

Dr. Gericke, Phi Theta Kappa advisor at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, said the college's Iota Eta chapter has 65 members, including 13 new members who have joined beginning in January 2021. Congratulations to all the students who have joined so far this year!

More than 500 students were recently named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2020 semester at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. To be named to the Dean's List, a student must be a full-time WKCTC student earning at least a 3.5 grade point average (GPA) and successfully completing 12 hours or more of course work numbered 100 or above for the academic term.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College recognized more than 840 candidates for graduation during a virtual Fall 2020 Commencement program aired on the college's Facebook page and YouTube channels December 18, 2020 The college's in-person commencement is normally held at The Carson Center for the Performing Arts and had been scheduled for December 19. The ceremony was canceled due to COVID-19. "We didn't want to miss the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our 2020 graduates while also keeping everyone as safe as possible," said Dr. Anton Reece, WKCTC president, of the decision to have a virtual ceremony. "While Commencement looks different this year, one thing is not different - pride. We are proud of each of our graduates and the support of their family and friends who may have helped them each step of the way to graduation."

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!