Dr. Flath Wins Gussler Award

Dr. Mary Catherine Flath, Professor of Anatomy amp; Physiology at Ashland Community and Technical College, has received the prestigious Gussler Family Endowed Chair in Science and Mathematics Award for the third time. The award was announced at ACTCs Graduation Ceremony May 12.

Dr. C. Gordon Gussler and his wife Dixie Gussler established the endowment in 2007 to recognize full-time math and science faculty who foster in their students a desire to learn and reach their maximum potential.

A 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.

I love my students and strive for the success of each, Dr. Flath said. I am honored and humbled to receive the Gussler Math and Science Endowed Chair Award, as it represents the appreciation of these wonderful students, who enrich my life and who I am blessed to serve.

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

Professor Flath was the first recipient of the award in 2008 and received it again in 2010.

Once again, the nomination process provided clear evidence of the high regard for Dr. Mary Cat Flath from faculty, students, staff and alumni, said Robert J. Maher, President of the Community and Technical College Foundation of Ashland, Inc. and Chair of the Gussler Award Selection Committee. We congratulate her for receiving this award for the third time.

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 joined joining Ashland Community and Technical College in 1994 as an Assistant Professor in Biology. She became an Associate Professor in 1998 and a full Professor in 2004.

At ACTC, she mentors junior and adjunct faculty, advises pre-professional students, serves on several committees and is faculty representative to the ACTC Board of Directors. She is on Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospitals Board of Directors, President of Epsilon Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma and a Paul G. Blazer High School Academic Team assistant.

Dr. Flath and her students promote numerous community service projects during the academic year, and she has published two cookbooks on Mary Cats Cuisine that benefit local charities. She lives in Catlettsburg, KY, with her husband Al and son Allen, a senior at Paul G. Blazer High School.