ECTC Foundation holds inaugural Student Success Circle members event

The Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Foundation held its inaugural Student Success Circle Luncheon in April in the James S. Owen Building on ECTC's Elizabethtown campus. The event allowed members to hear presentations made by grant finalists and vote to award funds. At this year's event, $25,000 was awarded to initiatives designed to remove barriers and support student success.
 
"ECTC students face countless challenges as they work toward their goals. ECTC faculty and staff are uniquely positioned to observe student needs and develop initiatives to meet students where they are and remove those barriers," said ECTC Vice President of Advancement and ECTC Foundation Executive Director Dr. Megan Stith. "The Student Success Circle is the community's chance to come alongside the ECTC Foundation to determine which projects proposed by faculty and staff they would like to fund."
 
The Student Success Circle is funded through donations to the Unstoppable Fund, which was established last fall. When donors give to the Unstoppable Fund, they gain membership to the Student Success Circle and are invited to attend the annual members' event.
 
This year's event saw presentations from finalists requesting funds for three projects. ECTC Director of Library Services Katie Meyer was the event winner, receiving the full amount requested for the Library Laptop Lending Program. ECTC Springfield Campus Director Heather Reynolds was the runner-up, obtaining funding for The Recovery Scholars Program.
 
“The library is honored to be the recipient of the inaugural Student Success Circle grant in support of the Library Laptop Lending Program. I am humbled by the support from our Circle members and their willingness and enthusiasm to bolster student achievement and opportunity by providing funding to grow our laptop collection,” said Meyer. “ECTC strives to eliminate academic and non-academic barriers our students face. Our Laptop Lending Program alleviates the financial burden of purchasing a computer, improves digital inequities, and empowers our students to achieve their academic goals.”
 
Student Success Circle committee, a group of community leaders committed to ensuring ECTC students' success, was announced at the event. The committee, chaired by Chris Cheatwood and Hunter Hammer with members Laura Berger, Cameron Brown, Don Cox, Michelle Estes, Barb Jones, Lisa Slaven and Cori Zaring, will play a crucial role in reviewing project proposals and making funding decisions.
 
For more information, contact Chrissie Angell at 270-706-8833 or chrissie.angell@kctcs.edu.