Scholarship created at West Kentucky Community and Technical College thanks to endowment from local family

A new scholarship was established at West Kentucky Community and Technical College by Jo Tilley Dortch, in memory of her late husband Nat, called the Nat and Jo Tillet Dortch Scholars Program, which has been endowed with $100,000. The Nat and Jo Tilley Dortch Award of Excellence will be given to a student each year.

According to an article on West Kentucky Community and Technical College’s website, Jo Tilley Dortch was a teacher of mathematics at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, back when the school was called Paducah Community College, and was dedicated to helping her students succeed. She was quoted explaining her love for community colleges: "I feel like community colleges are just crucial for the education of the whole area. I had students from all over the place, and I loved it! It was just wonderful!"

Sanci Teague, who serves as the director of the Student Success Center, which is benefitting from the endowment provided by Dortch, was quoted as saying, “Throughout Ms. Dortch's tenure at WKCTC, she demonstrated a commitment to enhancing students' academic experiences beyond the classroom. Her efforts were instrumental in building bridges between students and campus and community resources to promote their success.”

The Student Success Center at West Kentucky Community and Technical College provides a Summer Bridge Program, which itself provides remedial academic support, particularly in math, and helps students set themselves up for success as they continue their college career. The program lasts for two weeks. Part of the endowment from the Nat and Jo Tilley Dortch Scholars Program will go toward enhancing the Summer Bridge Program to even better serve students who need academic support.

Student Jacob Warren attended the Summer Bridge Program in 2023, saying of the experience, “This program really acclimates you to college.” Warren was the inaugural recipient of the Nat and Jo Tilley Dortch Award of Excellence, which is reserved for students who make use of the Student Success Center and other resources the school provides to help them succeed.

Anton Reece, who is the president of West Kentucky Community and Technical College, was quoted as saying of Jo Tilley Dortch and her generosity and spirit of helping, "You always remember the faculty members who are really engaged...going that extra step, that extra mile. And she was consistent and firm in her support of students. That legacy she planted decades ago will continue to flourish."

For more information about West Kentucky Community and Technical College, visit the school’s website.