ECTC Foundation announces W.D. ‘Bill’ Burks Memorial Student Emergency Fund Endowment

The ECTC Foundation is pleased to announce the W.D. “Bill” Burks Memorial Student Emergency Fund Endowment, established by E. Jo Anne García-Meléndez with a gift of $100,000 in honor of her father, William Davis Burks.

Burks was a member of the original committee determined to bring higher education opportunities to the Elizabethtown community and a founding member of Elizabethtown Community College.

“The committee of local businessmen traveled to Frankfort in 1960 to sell the idea and help get necessary legislation passed, raised money to purchase land for building the first community college in Kentucky, and oversaw its opening in 1964,” García-Meléndez said.

Burks continued his commitment to education by serving as farm manager and land-use advisor on the Board of Directors of the North Central Education Foundation until 1999.

“I believe that my father would fully support extending a helping hand to ECTC students who face emergency situations that could endanger their ability to stay in school,” García-Meléndez said. “Therefore, I am honored to endow a Student Emergency Fund in his memory.”

The fund will provide support for emergency awards to ECTC students when they encounter difficulties, ensuring they can continue their education uninterrupted.

“Unexpected circumstances can derail the progress of ECTC students working to accomplish their goals and build a better life,” said ECTC Vice President of Advancement and KCTCS Foundation Executive Director Dr. Megan Stith. “We are grateful for this endowment that honors one of ECTC's founders by helping to remove unanticipated obstacles that threaten students’ ability to succeed.”

An endowment is a permanent fund that provides a lasting investment in the future of ECTC. The principal of an endowment remains intact while a portion of the earnings is used annually to support vital programs that align with the donor’s wishes for their gift. Endowments provide a stable, ongoing source of funding that allows the college to respond to changing needs and expand opportunities for student success.

The Kentucky Community and Technical College System endowment match program will increase the power of the W.D. “Bill” Burks Memorial Student Emergency Fund Endowment by matching García-Meléndez’s $100,000 gift. Endowment gifts of $50,000 to $250,000/year are eligible for a match by the program, helping more students overcome financial barriers and obtain degrees from ECTC.

To learn more about giving to the W.D. “Bill” Burks Memorial Student Emergency Fund Endowment, establishing an endowment, or the KCTCS endowment match program, contact Chrissie Angell at chrissie.angell@kctcs.edu or (270) 706-8833.