LATE PROFESSOR GREG HAGAN LEAVES A LEGACY OF HOPE FOR MCC STUDENTS

Late Professor Greg Hagan Leaves a Legacy of HOPE for MCC Students

Longtime faculty member Greg Hagan, professor of English, passed away in May of 2022 after a brief illness. After his retirement from the college, Greg stayed in touch with faculty and staff and made known his desire to continue to help students in some way in the future. He was an eclectic presence on campus and shared his wide range of interests with students and the college community. His hobbies included cycling, photography, film, and his pet birds. Greg was a dedicated member of his church and volunteered with the local Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) to help kids. He was one of the few faculty members in the entire Kentucky Community and Technical College System that taught in the humanities and in a healthcare program (respiratory care). Hagan was a graduate of the University of Iowa, Des Moines Area Community College, the University of Alabama, and Murray State University. After discussions with our Advancement Office in February 2021, Greg donated the initial $50,000 to establish the Greg Hagan H.O.P.E. (Helping Others by Providing Education) Scholarship endowment. The purpose of the scholarship is to support the tuition, books, or program costs of students enrolled in high-wage or high-demand programs, and/or transfer students with preference given to students that consistently improve and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA in course studies.

Greg had encountered so many gifted students over the years who needed just a little more help financially to stay enrolled, and he knew that a scholarship like his could make a difference. After his estate was settled, the college received over $566,000 from bequests from Greg to add to the H.O.P.E. Scholarship Endowment. Through the KCTCS matching program, the college was able to apply for matching funds from the system office to increase local scholarship endowments. After all of the matches are complete and finalized, the HOPE Scholarship endowment will exceed $1.1 million.

Longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Mary Werner, shared these thoughts about Greg’s gift and bequest, “In Hamilton, the main character defines ‘legacy’ as ‘planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.’ Professor Greg Hagan planted many seeds at MCC through his years of excellent teaching and work with students. And now with the HOPE scholarship, he has quietly and humbly left behind a great legacy for future students. The impact of his kindness and generosity will be realized for years to come.”

With the income from the endowment, MCC has been able to make several scholarship awards already to deserving students. And it all was made possible by the generous and selfless contributions of a dedicated friend and colleague who cared about students and others. What a legacy!