This one started it all! (Published January, 2008)

My Grandfather


My grandfather was a farmer and a farmer’s son in Logan County. He had a fifth or sixth grade education and could read and write well enough to “get along”. When the Depression hit, he had five children and more on the way. He and two of his brothers emigrated to Toledo, Ohio where they rented a small farm, got day jobs and started providing for their families. My mother was born in Ohio and within two years her mother died in childbirth. My grandfather drove a truck ten hours a day and raised six children under ten, by himself. He insisted everyone of his children finish high school.

In the years to follow his sons served their country during WWII. They returned from the war and were rewarded, under the GI Bill of Rights, with low cost loans for education and housing that they could use when they wanted. One uncle completed college. The others completed technical training or remained in the military. The US government was faced with the prospect of millions of soldiers returning to a job market that was inadequate to support them. The decision to stimulate educational opportunities led to research and professionalism and created a workforce that formed the basis of the greatest economic expansion in the history of this country, establishing the US as a world power.

My grandfather and leaders of that era understood the value of hard work, but knew education was the ticket out of poverty. In one generation my grandfather saw his family transform from working poor to comfortably middle class. His children parented the “baby boomer” generation that continued to support economic expansion.

I make this point, only, to illustrate obvious benefits investing in terms of human capital and research as it pertains to creating a competitive workforce that will assist in stimulating economic growth, as was done in the 40’s and 50’s. Kentucky is facing tough economic times, with little hope of relief from the Federal government. We need to rely on our skills and our resources to meet and beat this challenge. We need to develop a workforce that can compete efficiently in emerging markets and technologies and to meet the future needs of Kentuckians.

A report by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) unveils a “Plan for a Competitive Kentucky”, is well worth reading. The plan outlines specific steps that must be taken to meet the needs of Kentucky’s changing economy. It recommends strategic initiatives that will expand the workforce programs based on projected needs, make it easier for KCTCS students to transfer to four year schools, develop strategies that will prepare high school students for success in KCTCS, including remediation services, and to reengage the adult population through adult education and literacy programs.

Copies of this report can be requested can be requested by writing Ms. Terri Giltner at 300 No. Main St., Versailles, KY 40383 or by visiting their web site at www.kctcs.edu.