Ashland Community & Technical College Foundation receives $850K gift from Bowling Estate

Published on Jul 1, 2025

The Community & Technical College Foundation of Ashland is honored to announce the receipt of a charitable gift exceeding $850,000 from the estate of Mildred “Susie” Bowling, alongside the co-executors of her estate, William and Mary West. 

In accordance with the wishes of Bowling and her late husband, Jack, these funds are to establish an endowment which will offer scholarships to students seeking to further their education at Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC).

“We are deeply grateful for this extraordinary gift from extraordinary people,” said Kim Minnehan, ACTC advancement administrator. “Their belief in the power of a community and technical college education, and in the students we serve, will leave a lasting legacy at ACTC. This incredible generosity will open doors for countless students in the years to come, and their kindness will forever be felt on our campus and in our community.”

Born and raised in large Christian families during the 1930s, Jack and Susie developed strong work ethics and became advocates of the transformative power of education and hard work to enrich and elevate lives. 

Both were proud alumni of Boyd County High School, epitomizing an unwavering dedication to hard work.

Jack culminated his career with a commendable retirement from AK Steel. He passed away in 2016, and Susie passed away last year. 

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. Several dedicated board members are available to help you explore options that align with your goals and values. 

To start the conversation about how you can make a difference that lasts, contact Kim Minnehan at kim.minnehan@kctcs.edu.