PADUCAH, KY (May 2, 2016) – West Kentucky Community and Technical College faculty members Dr. Victor Taveras and Carrie Hopper were among six employees recognized during a faculty and staff awards reception April 29.Dr. Victor Taveras, an assistant professor of physics at WKCTC, received the Phelps Award, named in memory of Finis Sargent Phelps and Florence Grubbs Phelps that was established at the college in 1991. The purpose of this award is to emphasize quality, promote academic excellence, and reward competence in teaching in the Liberal Arts and Sciences disciplines. Dr. Taveras, a Paducah resident, joined the WKCTC faculty in 2011. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island and a doctorate degree in physics from Pennsylvania State University. He has also completed post-doctoral research at Louisiana State University.
Carrie Hopper of Paducah received the Paducah Junior College Faculty Award, which was established in 1999 and recognizes quality, competence and excellence in teaching in a technical field. The dental assisting program coordinator at WKCTC, Hopper earned an associate degree from WKCTC and a bachelor’s and master’s degree at Murray State University. She joined the college faculty in 2001. In addition to serving on several college and local committees, Hopper provides several community continuing education courses for area dental assistants and hygienists and coordinates the University of Louisville dental students on the WKCTC campus to provide dental services to children in the purchase area.
Paducah resident Jeanne Stroup received WKCTC’s Adjunct Faculty Award, recognizing the outstanding contributions and achievements of a dedicated adjunct faculty member who provides exemplary service to WKCTC students. An adjunct faculty member in the Business and Related Technologies Division, Stroup earned an associate degree at WKCTC before completed a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Murray State University.
In addition, Dr. Lisa Stephenson and Nancy Robins, both of Paducah, and Kevin O’Neill of Bardwell were recognized as WKCTC’s nominees for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s (KCTCS) 2016 New Horizon Awards.
Each KCTCS college nominates one administrative member, one faculty member, and one staff member for the award by their fellow college employees. One faculty member, one administrative member, and one staff member from the 48 people nominated within the KCTCS system will be chosen as the top staff and faculty representative.
O’Neill, WKCTC director of community education, was nominated in the administrative category. He manages all community and continuing education classes at college. Last year O’Neill implemented a mailing and online catalog listing all classes and camps provided by the college and the community. He coordinates with faculty, staff and community members to teach more than 75 community education offerings that bring hundreds of people to campus each spring and fall.
Nominated in the faculty category, Dr. Stephenson, K-12 Partnership director, joined the college in 1985 as a business studies instructor. Dr. Stephenson was instrumental in the successes with the West Kentucky College Academy and the Community Scholarship Program, as well as in the accreditation as the first National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) accredited community college in Kentucky.
Nancy Robins, student affairs assistant III in WKCTC’s records department, was nominated in the staff category. Working at the college for more than 20 years, Robins not only supports WKCTC within the records office but also by volunteering for nearly every event and activity on campus. She is also an active volunteer throughout the community. Robins recently received the Ladd Mathis Award for her volunteer work with the United Way of Paducah-McCracken County - the highest form of recognition the United Way can give to an outstanding community member.
Eleven faculty and staff retirees were also recognized during the April 29 ceremony, including WKCTC President Dr. Barbara Veazey who will retire June 30 after more than 40 years of service, 14 as the founding president of WKCTC. The retirees represent over 250 years of dedication to the college and its students.
Registration for summer and fall classes at WKCTC is also underway. Call 1-(855) GO-WKCTC or visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu for class offerings. Fall classes begin August 15.