Dr. Flath Awarded Gussler Family Endowed Chair

Dr. Mary Catherine Flath, Professor of Anatomy amp; Physiology at Ashland Community and Technical College, has received the annual Gussler Family Endowed Chair in Science and Mathematics Award. The award was announced at ACTCs Graduation Ceremony May 15.

This is the second time that Dr. Flath has received the prestigious award established by Dr. C. Gordon Gussler and his wife Dixie Gussler in 2007 to recognize full-time math and science faculty who foster in their students a desire to learn and reach their maximum potential.

I want to thank the Gusslers for establishing such a remarkable award, Dr. Flath said.I feel honored and privileged to be the first two-time Gussler Fellow, being rewarded for something that I thoroughly LOVE to do, which is to teach!

One science or mathematics professor or associate professor is selected for the award each year, and each recipient receives a financial stipend, equal to two percent of the value of the endowment fund, for two years.

Recipients are nominated by students, fellow faculty or college staff. Award criteria are inspiring students to develop capabilities they did not realize they had, empowering and motivating students to succeed beyond their experiences, and instilling in students a love of learning and a desire to continue their education to a bachelors or higher degree.

Professor Flath was the first recipient of the award in 2008, and Dr. James. C. Schmidt received the award in 2009.

Once again, the nomination process proved the enormous esteem for Dr. Mary Cat Flath felt by faculty, students, staff and alumni. She was the clear choice even though there were other very well qualified candidates, said Robert J. Maher, President of the Community amp; Technical College Foundation of Ashland, Inc. and Chair of the Gussler Award Selection Committee.

An Indiana native, Dr. Flath received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology in 1984 from St. Marys College at Notre Dame University and a Ph.D. in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in 1991 from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC.

Dr. Flath taught biology in South Carolina colleges for several years before joining Ashland Community and Technical College in 1994 as an Assistant Professor in Biology. She became an Associate Professor in Biology in 1998 and a full Professor in Anatomy amp; Physiology in 2004.

She currently lives in Catlettsburg, KY, with her husband Al and son Allen, 16, a tenth grader at Paul G. Blazer High School.

I want to thank my wonderful students, past and present, who have afforded me the opportunity to contribute to their knowledge of science, community, and life, Dr. Flath said.