ECTC unveils Robbins University Center
Published on Sep 11, 2024
A dream that was years in the making came true Tuesday as Elizabethtown Community and Technical College officials and supporters gathered to cut a ribbon on the Robbins University Center.
“More than ever before, we’re poised to retain our region’s talent, get students engaged with employers, and help them find a path to high-demand careers right here in our region,” said ECTC President and CEO Dr. Juston Pate.
The Robbins University Center allows four-year colleges and universities to offer high-demand bachelor’s and master’s degrees locally. New college students, for example, will complete the first two years of a bachelor's degree through ECTC and then transfer to four-year partners offering classes and support services on the Elizabethtown campus.
Established partners include Western Kentucky University, Campbellsville University and Lindsey Wilson College. ECTC officials expect to welcome new partners as early as this fall.
“Keeping local talent local helps our region develop the world-class workforce that employers need to succeed and grow. For many, that journey will start at ECTC and the Robbins University Center,” Pate said.
The center is named for Dr. Robert and Rita Robbins of Elizabethtown. The couple made history in 2018 with a $1 million donation to ECTC — the college’s largest private donation to date — from the Dr. Robert E. and Rita H. Robbins Fund of the Central Kentucky Community Foundation.
“We hope this center will be an inviting place for people to gather, develop relationships and pay it forward,” Rita Robbins said at ECTC’s Provost Breakfast, which preceded the ribbon cutting ceremony. “When you walk through these doors, change happens. You do not walk out the same way.”
Many businesses, community organizations and individuals helped fund the center, noted Heartland President and CEO Kenny Rambo, who co-chaired the University Center campaign along with Sharon Wright, former Baptist Health Hardin chief nursing officer. Donors contributed more than $2 million to the project.
"The Robbins University Center will play a critical role in retaining talent in our regional workforce by increasing access to four-year degrees in high-demand career fields," Rambo said. "For many in our community, relocating or traveling for higher education isn't feasible, and this center will ensure more opportunities are available right here at home."
The center is housed in the recently renovated Student Center building on the Elizabethtown campus and will be open to students soon. For more information about transfer pathways and university center partners, contact Robbins University Center Director Saundra Kimberlain at saundra.kimberlain@kctcs.edu or 270-706-8485.
