Behold the future

By MIKE JAMES - The Independent

ASHLAND May 09, 2008 11:35 pm

— Ashland Community and Technical College’s commencement on Friday graduated 423 students and before it was over drew back the veil of anonymity from the donor of a $1 million gift last fall.
The gift, from retired Ashland opthalmologist C. Gordon Gussler and Dixie Gussler, created the Gussler Family Endowed Chair in Math and Science.
The first-ever award from the endowment went to Mary Catherine Flath, a professor of anatomy and physiology, who has been on the ACTC faculty since 1994.
The Gusslers intended the gift “to reward faculty members whose emphasis was on teaching and inspiring students to advance further than they thought they could have,” said their son, Carter Gussler, who also is an opthalmologist in Ashland. “I think it’s because that’s what happened to him.”
The Gusslers established the endowment in honor of teachers who had a positive influence on Gussler’s academic career, said ACTC President Greg Adkins in prepared remarks.
Gussler attended ACTC, then known as Ashland Junior College, starting in 1944 and went on to the University of Louisville and attended medical school.
Under the terms of the endowment, each recipient receives a cash award of 2 percent of the value of the endowment each year for two years.
“It’s just amazing. Awards for faculty are few and far between,” Flath said in a telephone interview. “I go the extra mile and I just do it because I love to teach,” she said. “I would do what I do regardless, but maybe it would give someone the inspiration to do a little bit more.”
Gordon and Dixie Gussler were recipients, respectively, of the distinguished alumnus and special recipient awards.
Distinguished service awards went to ACTC Foundation President Robert J. Maher, who shepherded the college’s recent $5.3 million capital campaign, and Guy Spriggs, who co-chaired the campaign.
The student speaker was Marilyn Sargent, who graduated with associate’s degrees in arts and science.
Kentucky Fourth District Rep. Geoff Davis also spoke.
The ceremony marked the beginning of career paths for more than 400 students who earned a total of 1059 credentials, including associate degrees in arts and science, diplomas and certificates.
“I’m excited because I made something of myself,” said Danielle Chappelle of Ashland. “I started out as a single mother and I got this far. I’m glad my son is here to see that this is what he has to do.”
“I’m ready to get out there and work,” said Betty Anne Hesson of Huntington, who received her nursing degree. “I love nursing and the school really prepared me for it.”
Claude Harmon Hall of Grayson was looking forward to the ceremony because he’s the first in his immediate family to put on a cap and gown.
“I’m real proud of him” said his father, Claude Hall Sr. “He’s going to get the chance for a good job now.”
MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.

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