Powering Programs

This year, thanks to generous donors, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is revving up its highly sought-after motorcycle safety class and putting even more power behind its automotive technology program. 

ECTC Workforce Solutions relaunched the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider course in August, after community donors Lori King, Carl Swope, Kevin Addington and LeeAnna Dowan collectively gifted six motorcycles and safety equipment to the program. 

“We are thrilled to bring back this very popular community education class,” said ECTC Dean of Workforce Solutions and Technical Programs Mike Hazzard. “We are so grateful to the donors who recognized the need and made the course a reality.”

The motorcycle safety class is one example of how ECTC donors are able to match their gifts to their interests.

“It’s important for new riders to understand how to be safe out there on the road, not to mention there are great discounts for insurance rates,” said Dowan, attorney at law of Dowan Law Offices.

Swope, President and CEO of Swope Family of Dealerships, also said the course is an important resource for motorcycle riders.

“Donating to this program is important to me because I’m a passionate motorcyclist,” he said. “I know so many people that ride motorcycles well and a few that don’t. I wish those that don’t would take advantage of this course because it could save them a whole lot of pain by learning how to ride a motorcycle well.”

For automotive technology students, the generosity of Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Kentucky is ensuring students are at the forefront in the high-demand automotive field. 

This summer, Toyota donated a 2020 Avalon and a 2019 RAV4 Hybrid, providing ECTC students the opportunity to learn the latest technology and prepare to meet automotive workforce demands. Without donors like Toyota, ECTC wouldn’t be able to add to automotive technology fleet as often as needed to keep up with the industry’s ever-evolving technology.