We hosted our annual Wine, Jewels, and More event on Tuesday, January 20, raising $31,021 to benefit the ACTC Wine, Jewels, and More Scholarship. The event, now in its seventh year, honors the legacy of Norma Meek, a dedicated leader in our community who founded the event. Proceeds from the evening support scholarships for students at ACTC.
Held at Bellefonte Country Club, this year’s event featured hors d’oeuvres, a live auction for UK basketball tickets, and a silent auction with jewelry, purses, and more.
Our next Wine Jewels & More event will be Tuesday, January 26, 2027
We volunteered to serve as judges in this year’s SkillsUSA welding competition. Area high school students put their skills to the test in hands-on competitions, gaining valuable experience in their chosen fields.
We have been awarded $149,000 scholarships to 123 high school students for the 2026/2027 academic year. Grades, attendance and other criteria are being reviewed for returning scholarship recipients and new applicants. It is always heartwarming to receive feedback from our scholarship recipients such as this from a 2026 nursing graduate, Brooklyn Cordle:
"I am so thankful to have received scholarships to attend ACTC. I know if I had gone away to college I would have already failed out by now. Staying home to complete my degree was the best choice I could have ever made.” ~Brooklyn Cordle
Giving Day for ACTC was a success! We raised $25,754 for the greatest needs of ACTC, including scholarships, food pantry, emergency funds, etc. We had so much fun spending the day in the lobby at our College Drive Campus talking to students, faculty, staff and members of our community.
This year, we offered Philanthropy Cords to graduates giving $10 or more. There were 34 students rocking the white cord as they walked across the stage! Unless otherwise requested, all funds donated by students went to the ACTC Alumni Association.
Our employee campaign kicked off same day as Giving Day. We had 40% participation from employees and raised $8,596.00!
We volunteered to demo science experiments for the ACTC Science Fair, hosting around 70 students from four area middle schools: East Carter, West Carter, Elliott and Greenup. There were winners from all four schools, but West Carter Middle School took home the overall grand prize!
The ACTC Fueling the Future Car Show and Vendor Event, held May 9 at ACTC’s College Drive Campus in Ashland, was a fun, successful day. We raised $4,131.65 for the greatest needs of the college and our students.
ACTC was proud to partner with ECDI and the Boyd County Makers Market to bring together a day filled with amazing vehicles, local vendors, great food, music, and community support. The event featured approximately 75 car entries and nearly 40 vendors, creating a fun and family-friendly atmosphere for all who attended.
A special thank you goes to DJ Randolph Cullum for providing great music throughout the event and helping make the day even more enjoyable.
We also want to thank AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, and Texas Roadhouse for donating door prizes for attendees and participants.
This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors: Citizens Bank of Kentucky, Toyota of Ashland, Backyard Roots Nursery, Kentucky Power, Mark Porter Auto Group, and the Boyd County Public Library.
Thank you to everyone who entered a vehicle, set up as a vendor, sponsored, donated, volunteered, or attended. Your support helped make this event successful as we continue “Fueling the Future” together.
We had a wonderful time at our 2nd Annual Retiree Luncheon, where retirees from ACC, ATC, and ACTC were welcomed back to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate their shared history. The room was filled with laughter as stories were exchanged about memorable moments, lasting friendships, and even a few of the more chaotic days that, in hindsight, make for great memories. One thing everyone agreed on: ACTC has always been a special place, and we are grateful for the many individuals who helped shape our college community through the years.
At Ashland Community & Technical College, we don’t think of graduation as the end of the relationship. It’s really just the beginning of a new one.
Behind the scenes, we’re always working to grow our Alumni Association and find better ways to stay connected with the people who have been part of our campus. We know life gets busy — careers, families, everything in between — and staying engaged can be a challenge. And it can definitely look a little different than it does at a four-year university.
Whether it’s keeping up with campus updates, coming to an event, or just knowing you’re still part of this community, there’s a place for you. That connection matters—to us, to our students, and to the future of our college.
If you are a graduate of ACTC, or any of our former iterations (ACC, AJC, ATC, etc), and you’re not already part of the Alumni Association, we’d love to have you. Signing up to be an Alumni is simple and only takes a minute.
No matter where life has taken you, you’ll always have a home here—and we’re really glad you’re part of it.
Are you interested in learning more about planned giving and how it can make a lasting impact? Planned gifts - such as bequests, gifts of stock, or naming the college foundation in your will - are powerful ways to support future generations of students while honoring your personal legacy. We have dedicated board members who are available to share their insights and help you explore options that align with your goals and values. Let us help you do what you want - to make a difference that lasts. Contact us today to start the conversation!
As we move through another exciting year at Ashland Community & Technical College, I want to take a moment to share a few updates and highlights from across the college.
First, our enrollment continues to trend in a positive direction. Fall 2025 headcount reached 2,523 students, an increase of 1.15%, and Spring 2026 followed with strong momentum at 2,462 students—up 9.03%. These numbers reflect not only growth, but also the continued trust our community places in ACTC.
We’ve also seen significant progress across our campuses thanks to the hard work of our Maintenance & Operations team. From the renovation/grand opening of the Transportation Education Center and the successful relocation of our Automotive Technology, Diesel Technology, and CDL programs, to continued upgrades within the College Drive campus—including a new elevator, improved HVAC systems, updated labs, and refreshed spaces—these projects are helping us better serve our students every day. We were also proud to host our first Department of Criminal Justice Training class on the College Drive campus earlier this year.
Academically, there is a lot to celebrate. We received approval for an AAS in Welding from our accrediting body, SACSCOC, and our Practical Nursing program recently completed a successful initial accreditation visit from ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing). We’ve continued expanding opportunities for students through initiatives like the new entrepreneurship track in Business Administration, set to launch in next spring, growth in our Prison Education Program, and serving more than 1,000 dual credit students in Fall 2025. We’re also preparing for our upcoming SACSCOC reaffirmation in 2027, ensuring we remain focused on quality and continuous improvement.
Our Foundation and fundraising efforts have also seen remarkable growth. In 2025, we raised more than $1.27 million through the generosity of 339 donors—a 41% increase over the previous year. These contributions directly impact our students, from more than $340,000 in scholarships awarded for 2026 to emergency funding that helps students stay on track when unexpected challenges arise. Events like Giving Day, Wine, Jewels, and More, and the Pathfinder Appreciation Luncheon continue to build momentum and support for our mission.
All this progress is made possible because of people like you: our supporters, partners, and advocates. Thank you for believing in ACTC and in the students we serve. I’m excited about where we’re headed and grateful to have you as part of our community.
With gratitude,
Dr. Larry Ferguson
President & CEO
Ashland Community and Technical College
Kim Jones, Advancement Administrator
Kim.Minnehan@kctcs.edu
Office: 606-326-2071
Kourtney Cox, Administrative Assistant
Kourtney.Cox@kctcs.edu
Office: 606-326-2127
