EKU STORIES
OFFICE OF REGIONAL STEWARDSHIP HELPS MAKE KENTUCKY WORK READY Bruce Carpenter wears many hats while serving southern Kentucky. He directs the Corbin Economic Development Agency, the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Southeast Kentucky Industrial Development Authority, a regional partnership between six counties. All of these organizations help businesses thrive by creating a strong economic climate in the region. When Carpenter learned about the Kentucky Work Ready program — which prepares skilled workers to attract potential employers — he knew the Tri-County area needed to take part. Carpenter reached out to David McFaddin, Eastern Kentucky University’s Vice President for Engagement, Regional Stewardship and Government Relations. Office of Regional Stewardship staff worked with Carpenter to form Work Ready working committees for both Knox and Whitley counties, and facilitated meetings, producing the work needed to apply for Work Ready-in-Progress certification. With EKU’s assistance, both counties were certified Work Ready-in-Progress by the Kentucky Workforce Investment Board. In order to become a Work Ready-in-Progress community, both counties had to meet predetermined thresholds in the areas of Graduation Rate, National Career Readiness Certificate Holders,
Digital Literacy and more. It could take three years to move from Work Ready-in-Progress to Work Ready. “This program allows us to demonstrate to industries that we have a trained workforce ready and waiting,” Carpenter said. “We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with EKU as we work toward full certification.” For more information about the program, visit workready.ky.gov.
RECALLING HIS “WAY OUT,” REDNOUR FUNDS SCHOLARSHIP When he was an EKU student, Ritchie Rednour served as president of the Student Government Association and student regent. Fifteen years later, he is still a leader, serving on the University’s Foundation Board. And now the Powell County entrepreneur and real estate broker has pledged $100,000 to establish the Ritchie Rednour Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will assist students from Eastern’s service region who are in the final semester of their coursework but
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need some additional assistance to complete their classes and earn their degree. “I grew up poor, in a small southeastern Kentucky town,” Rednour said. “There weren’t a lot of opportunities. There weren’t a lot of success stories. EKU was my way out. “It is hard to say where I would be today but for the grace of God and those who took me under their wing, mentored and guided me at EKU,” he continued. “I took lessons not only from the classroom, but from campus life, and I learned how to become a successful entrepreneur and community leader. Creating a scholarship endowment is simply an avenue to give back to the place that has given me so much, and to maybe, just maybe, help give another poor kid from somewhere in Kentucky a chance for a leg up in life.”
