ACTC news for week of May 15

Ashland Community and Technical College recognized 56 Lawrence County residents at the Commencement Ceremony May 6 at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland.  The students were August 2015 and December 2015 graduates, and May 2016 and Summer 2016 graduation candidates. The graduates are listed below by city of residence.

From Blaine: Randall L. Adams Jr., Robert B. Ferguson and Kristie L. Houston.

From Louisa: Braydon K. Bevins, Landon K. Bradley, Adam M. Cavins, Brittani L. Chaffins, Corey B. Cline, Rhonda K. Crockett, Victoria E. Cyrus, Jennifer R. Daniels, Vanessa C. Davis, Charles E. Devaney, Ashontae K. Ellis, Ashley M. Fletcher, Brandon S. Gauze, Ashley N. Goble, Jonathan L. Hammond, Melanie D. Hicks, Erin Hughes, Timothy S. Jackson, Gerri M. Lemaster, Christy J. Lumpkins, Steven J. Lycans, Kendra R. Marcum, Tiffany N. McCoy, Logan S. Mills, Erika L. Moore, Todd A. Mund, Kristen J. Osborne, Jared D. Pack, Sharon R. Preece, Shelby A. Preston, Cotey B. Price, Seth T. Queen, Caitlin R. Robertson, Jillian V. Senters, Logan C. Sites, Derek R. Spillman, Joshua T. Spillman, Megan M. Spillman, Tiffany N. Triplett, Stephanie R. Trout, Keshia D. Tussey, Randi J. Wilson, Amy M. Wolford and Amanda L. Young.

From Webbville: Sabrina R. Branham, Austin W. Marcum, Dorothy S. Moore, Garrett S. Porter, Jessica E. Robertson, Dustin A. Scott, Aaron M. Smith, Hannah R. Stafford and Tanjaleah L. Sutterfield.

The 2016 Graduation ceremony set a new record of over 700 graduates who earned a total of over 1,700 credentials.

Professor Shelton Wins Gussler Award

ACTC Professor Cindy Shelton received the prestigious Gussler Fellow Award in Mathematics and Science for 2016.  The award was announced at ACTC’s Graduation Ceremony on May 6.

“I am thrilled to receive the Gussler Award,” she said.  “I want to thank the Gussler family for so generously providing such an amazing gift to the math and science faculty at ACTC.” 

An Ashland resident originally from Denton KY, Shelton graduated from East Carter High School in 1986.  She earned an Associate of Arts Degree with high distinction at Ashland Community College, an ACTC predecessor, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master of Arts Degree in Education from Morehead State University.  

Shelton teaches both math classes at the college and dual credit classes at Elliott County High School and has received numerous college Teaching Excellence awards.  She is on the Advisory Board for the AEP Credits Count Grant to expand educational services for Lawrence County, KY and has served as the Developmental Math Coordinator and Chair of the Teaching Excellence Committee. 

“I feel so blessed to get to do what I love for a living,” she said.  “What I hope to accomplish in the long term is a greater student appreciation of math.  In the short term, I hope they learn algebra concepts and skills they can apply to whatever career path they choose.”   

Inspiring students to learn more than they thought possible is a trait that the Gussler award was designed to recognize. Established in 2007 by Dr. C. Gordon Gussler and his wife, Dixie Gussler, the award is presented annually to an outstanding math or science faculty member who inspires, empowers and motivates students. 

Woodlands Foundation Receives ACTC Service Award

At the ACTC Graduation Ceremony on May 6, Woodlands Foundation Inc. received the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of its long history of service to the college.

The private, job-oriented foundation has supported economic development and community projects in the Ashland-area community for 18 years. The foundation’s purpose is to encourage and support projects and organizations that lead to job creation and retention in the area.

The foundation has been generous in contributing to college initiatives that provide a foundation for student success.  Several years ago, the foundation contributed funds for the Guy & Lisa Spriggs Child Development Center that opened near the College Drive Campus in 2012.  This spring, the Foundation donated $100,000 to the BuildSmart campaign to modernize the original Main Building at the College Drive Campus.

“The Woodlands Foundation has been a valuable partner for many years,” said Dr. Adkins, ACTC President and CEO.  “Their support has been important in helping ACTC provide the services and facilities that can help students attend college and prepare for the good careers of today and tomorrow.”

Apply Now for ACTC Summer II

June 6 is the deadline to apply for Summer Session II classes at Ashland Community and Technical College.

Summer classes give recent high school graduates a chance to experience college level work before starting fall courses. Continuing students can complete their college program in a shorter time, and adults seeking new skills and knowledge for work advancement can complete a course in just five weeks.

Summer II classes are offered in general education subjects required for nearly every associate and bachelor degree. These classes in communications, math, science, social science and heritage/humanities provide a good start on college because they cover basic knowledge and skills required for any major area of study.

Online classes are Intro to Art, Intro to Biology, Intro to Interpersonal Communication, Digital Literacy, Writing I, Writing II, History of the US through 1865, Intro to the Humanities, Basic Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, General Psychology Intro to Sociology, Managerial Accounting, Administration of Early Childhood Education, Sciences and Math in IECE, Modern Social Problems and Inequality in Society.

Classes at the College Drive Campus are Human Anatomy & Physiology II, General College Chemistry II and Lab and Developmental Psychology.  A variety of welding classes are held at the Technology Drive Campus.

Summer session II classes start June 20 and end July 24.  In-state tuition is $147 per credit hour, and residents of neighboring Ohio and West Virginia counties qualify for in-state tuition.

Admission forms and class schedules are on the web at: ashland.kctcs.edu. For more information, call the Admissions Office, 606-326-2000.

Financial Aid is available for summer classes for those who qualify.  After filling out the ACTC admission form, new students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available online at: www.fafsa.gov.  For help with the FAFSA, call 1-855-246-2282.