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Updated: November 12, 2021 @ 2:58 pm
The vision which eventually gave life to Elizabethtown Community and Technical College began with the idea of providing access to four-year undergraduate degrees right here in Hardin County.
Dreams have a way of being reshaped in reality. Local leaders merged their outlook with governmental momentum coming out of Frankfort and a network of two-year colleges was born under the University of Kentucky’s guidance until it eventually grew into the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
ECTC, its sister institutions and their satellite campuses have made huge personal impact for hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians since their establishment more than a half century ago. Today, they are a vital element in workforce development and one of the state’s primary economic recruitment tools.
But the objective of four-year degrees being available in Hardin County remains.
Many options are available locally through the Western Kentucky University campuses in Elizabethtown and Fort Knox. A handful of other institutions have offered access off and on through the years and, of course, McKendree University remains a valuable partner in Radcliff.
Now, however, ECTC is ready to up the offerings with thanks to multiple community investors.
The college recently wrapped up its University Center capital campaign, which promises to establish a “consortium of four-year colleges and universities that will offer high-demand bachelor’s and master’s degrees through ECTC’s Elizabethtown campus,” according to a news release.
In two years, the campaign was able to raise around $2.1 million. An early gift of $1 million from Dr. Robert and Rita Robbins which gave the effort immediate credibility and momentum.
ECTC President/CEO Juston Pate said the center will create a stronger pipeline to keep local talent in the region by providing access for baccalaureate degree programming was missing in the community.
The college hopes to begin construction as early as next month and make this part of the dream come by the 2023-24 academic year.
This editorial reflects a consensus of The News-Enterprise editorial board.
This editorial reflects a consensus of The News-Enterprise editorial board.
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