Paducah, Kentucky (September 9, 2016) – Ragon Grimes’ life took a devastating turn following the loss of his parents suddenly and unexpectedly during his junior year at the University of Kentucky College of Engineering, Paducah campus. Wanting to continue his education to become an engineer like his father, taking out student loans became his only resource to move forward. Then came the opportunity to receive a scholarship made possible from West Kentucky Community and Technical College’s annual scholarship auction, and that changed everything for him.
“If I hadn’t received the Marvin Scholarship, I would have had to take out student loans that I would be paying on now as well as into the foreseeable future,” said Grimes. He said not having student loans afforded him the opportunity to buy a house for himself and his wife who are expecting their first child in November. “...It’s really helping me out and allowing us to feel more comfortable about our financial situation.”
West Kentucky Community and Technical College’s annual scholarship auction, which is set for Friday, September 16 a the Julian Carroll Convention Center, provides students like Grimes with the opportunity to begin and complete their education and achieve their career goals.
Each year more students are seeking assistance in completing their education.
“This year more than 1100 students applied for scholarships from WKCTC. Our goal is to continue to be able to help as many students as possible by awarding merit-based scholarships,” said Becky Haus, WKCTC manager of advancement. “We need the continued support of our donors to do that. Their generosity provides the opportunity that changes everything for our students. Without them, it simply is not possible.”
Grimes understands the importance of donors’ commitment to student scholarships first hand.
“The scholarship I received not only gave me the opportunity to begin my education but also to finish it and begin working in a career in my field,” said Grimes, who fulfilled his dream of becoming an engineer upon graduating from the engineering school in May 2015. He works at Hopkinsville’s T.RAD North America, Inc., a company that specializes in state-of-the-art technology to manufacture products for five main business areas – automotive, motorcycle, construction, agriculture, and the military - putting the scholarship dollars he received to good use for his family and his community.
Haus said this year’s live auction features a unique art and dining experience in coordination with the college’s Paducah School of Art and Design, a vacation to a private villa in the Turks and Caicos, tickets to the Tony Award winning musical Hamilton, sports tickets, jewelry and more.
Bidders can also compete for more than 80 items in the popular Dine and Dash and Gift Card Grab sections of the Silent Auction. More than 60 additional items are featured in the traditional Silent Auction.
Advance tickets are available for $45 per person. General admission seating will be available on the evening of the event. Walker Hall and the WKCTC catering department will provide heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Live music and a cash bar will be offered throughout the evening. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the live auction begins at 7 p.m.
To reserve event tickets, visit http://westkentucky.kctcs.edu/en/Giving/ScholarshipAuction.aspx. or contact the Advancement Office (270-534-3086) or email Becky Haus:
Rebecca.alcott-haus@kctcs.edu. For more auction details visit https://www.facebook.com/WKCTCScholarshipAuction.
“If I hadn’t received the Marvin Scholarship, I would have had to take out student loans that I would be paying on now as well as into the foreseeable future,” said Grimes. He said not having student loans afforded him the opportunity to buy a house for himself and his wife who are expecting their first child in November. “...It’s really helping me out and allowing us to feel more comfortable about our financial situation.”
West Kentucky Community and Technical College’s annual scholarship auction, which is set for Friday, September 16 a the Julian Carroll Convention Center, provides students like Grimes with the opportunity to begin and complete their education and achieve their career goals.
Each year more students are seeking assistance in completing their education.
“This year more than 1100 students applied for scholarships from WKCTC. Our goal is to continue to be able to help as many students as possible by awarding merit-based scholarships,” said Becky Haus, WKCTC manager of advancement. “We need the continued support of our donors to do that. Their generosity provides the opportunity that changes everything for our students. Without them, it simply is not possible.”
Grimes understands the importance of donors’ commitment to student scholarships first hand.
“The scholarship I received not only gave me the opportunity to begin my education but also to finish it and begin working in a career in my field,” said Grimes, who fulfilled his dream of becoming an engineer upon graduating from the engineering school in May 2015. He works at Hopkinsville’s T.RAD North America, Inc., a company that specializes in state-of-the-art technology to manufacture products for five main business areas – automotive, motorcycle, construction, agriculture, and the military - putting the scholarship dollars he received to good use for his family and his community.
Haus said this year’s live auction features a unique art and dining experience in coordination with the college’s Paducah School of Art and Design, a vacation to a private villa in the Turks and Caicos, tickets to the Tony Award winning musical Hamilton, sports tickets, jewelry and more.
Bidders can also compete for more than 80 items in the popular Dine and Dash and Gift Card Grab sections of the Silent Auction. More than 60 additional items are featured in the traditional Silent Auction.
Advance tickets are available for $45 per person. General admission seating will be available on the evening of the event. Walker Hall and the WKCTC catering department will provide heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Live music and a cash bar will be offered throughout the evening. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the live auction begins at 7 p.m.
To reserve event tickets, visit http://westkentucky.kctcs.edu/en/Giving/ScholarshipAuction.aspx. or contact the Advancement Office (270-534-3086) or email Becky Haus:
Rebecca.alcott-haus@kctcs.edu. For more auction details visit https://www.facebook.com/WKCTCScholarshipAuction.