Joe Prather received the 2024 Elizabethtown Community and Technical College President’s Pathfinder Award in recognition of his impact in the community and on the college.
ECTC established the award to recognize college partners whose leadership has created paths to better lives throughout our region. ECTC President and CEO Dr. Juston Pate presented the award Tuesday at the college’s annual Community Breakfast.
“It is our honor to recognize Joe Prather,” Pate said. “His leadership means a great deal to this region, to this college, and to me personally.”
A former state senator and former secretary of the Kentucky finance and administration and transportation cabinets, Prather continues to serve the community today, Pate noted.
“I’m grateful that the people here at ECTC and the people of this community have honored me by taking note of the accomplishments we have been able to make together,” Prather said. “I accept this award with that spirit. It was a community effort, and I happen to be the person at the forefront.”
At the breakfast, Pate provided an update on recent ECTC accomplishments and plans for the year ahead.
Highlights included major construction projects such as an upcoming $60 million renovation of the Occupational Technical Building and expanding the Leitchfield campus to offer technical classes.
Pate also updated the community on climbing student success rates at ECTC. The graduation rate has increased from 31 percent in 2017 to 57 percent in 2024. In comparison, the national average community college graduation rate is about 36 percent.
“The growth in our graduation rate and other student success metrics is a testament to the quality of teaching, learning and student support at ECTC,” Pate said.
Community Breakfast guests also heard about the Student Success Circle Unstoppable Fund and were invited to get involved on campus in whatever way is most meaningful to them.
ECTC Vice President of Advancement Dr. Megan Stith shared that during the 2023-24 academic year, 88 students received an average $346 from the Student Emergency Fund. Without emergency assistance, these students were at high risk of dropping out, but with non-academic support like the Student Emergency Fund, more than 93 percent of those students completed the term.
“The community is absolutely making a difference in the lives of our students,” Stith said. “From making a donation, to volunteering, to including ECTC in conversations about new opportunities in the community, we’re thankful for each of those efforts.”
To learn more about ways to support ECTC, including the Alumni Network, ECTC Foundation, scholarships and student support, contact Megan Stith at megan.stith@kctcs.edu or 270-706-8721.
By ECTC
