To recognize its 60 years of service, members of Hopkinsville Community College hosted a birthday party to celebrate the milestone and announced a new donation campaign to support students on Monday.
Community College President, Alissa Young welcomed attendees and spotlighted the celebration’s theme, “60 Years: A Mosaic of Learning, Growth, and Community.” Alissa Young also shared that she has been working at the college for 33 years.
To reflect on the college’s history, William Turner and Jim Hunter, emeritus faculty members, made remarks about their teaching careers at the college, shared memories and spotlighted the institution’s growth.
Hunter starting teaching at the college for in 1986 and remained for 30 years where he taught math and also served in an administrative role. He says the campus still feels like home.
Turner taught at the college for 34 years and says his life has been enriched by the students, staff and community members he worked with along the way.
Turner dived into the college’s history shared that the institution came to be after the Kentucky General Assembly passed a bill in 1962 to establish the college. However, the bill was passed on the condition that the community would raise $250,000 to go toward the college.
The community was successful and in 1964 ground was broken. The college opened in 1965 and its first class consisted of 330 students. Turner joined the college’s staff in 1971.
Turner shared multiple memories and he recalled when the library was relocated from the Blue Building to its current location. Turner says students formed a human chain to transport the books and it was competed in less than a day.
To conclude the program, Rena Young, the vice president of Marketing and Advancement for the college announced the launch of the 60 for 60 Giving Campaign. Funds from the campaign will go toward scholarships, student emergency funds and the Pathfinder Food Pantry.
Rena Young says the campaign serves to ensure that they can help students while they celebrate the college’s legacy.
