Education

The Clark County Board of Education asked community members for their opinions on a name for its new high school, and they responded loudly and clearly: It should be George Rogers Clark High School. More than 5,000 people submitted suggestions to the board, with the vast majority wanting to keep the current name of the existing high school, and the board listened.

The number of people getting credentials from Kentucky colleges and universities surged in 2010-11, rising 11 percent at the state's public and independent institutions to an all-time high of 62,681 graduates. Diplomas and certificates that target specific job areas are driving the growth more than associate and baccalaureate degrees, according to numbers released Monday by Kentucky's Council on Postsecondary Education.

Eric Ward announced Monday that he will step down as Georgetown College’s director of athletics, effective June 30. “I think it’s in my best interest and the best interest of the college,” he said.  Ward has been director of athletics at Georgetown for 10 years. During his tenure, he has overseen improvements to the baseball field, hired full-time coaches in positions that had been only part-time, and put in countless hours with “the pedal to the floor,” he said.

The latest student numbers at Eastern Kentucky come with an interesting twist. Since 2006, summer school enrollment at EKU has increased by more than 4 percent. At the same time, there are fewer faces on campus.  School officials cite the growing popularity of online classes.  President Doug Whitlock says Eastern is competing with  institutions like Phoenix University to provide quality online classes.

The University of Louisville Board of Trustees’ finance committee approved a six percent tuition increase Thursday. The measure will go to the full board in June and needs final approval from the State Council on Post-Secondary Education. Because state funding has been cut, Ramsey says U of L has few other options but to raise tuition.

After a couple years of recession and state budget cuts, the president of Eastern Kentucky University says some bills are coming due.  Two new buildings are going on-line at EKU and President Doug Whitlock must figure out how to pay for their operation and maintenance. The state once provided funds for such expenses, but, now schools like Eastern must pay those bills.