Hopkinsville Community College and community members bid farewell to three longtime educators at a reception Friday afternoon, who will be retiring after commencement next week.
Dr. Vernell Larkin, Dr. Kevin Felton and Jeff Partney have a combined 92 years of teaching experience at Hopkinsville Community College. Dr. Felton says it’s truly humbling to go into the community and see people who you have taught and whose lives have been impacted by HCC. He began teaching at the college in 1977 and will continue to serve in some capacity after retires with the Hopkinsville Community College Foundation Board.
He says although he’s going to miss the students and staff, he takes many happy memories with him, and he’s gotten so much joy from watching his students go on to become successful.
Dr. Larkin—who was the first African American faculty member hired at HCC—says her time with HCC has been fulfilling and most of all fun, with many different types of new people to meet each year and keep her on her toes. She says her advice for new teachers is to be compassionate and keep things interesting.
She says while technology and other things have changed since she first began teaching, she thinks people have mostly stayed the same—each striving to better their lives and achieve their goals and she has been honored to help them.
Partney wasn’t available to speak with WHOP at the reception, but a news release states he was instrumental in building world class Machine Tool Technology and Computerized Manufacturing and Machining programs at HCC.
