[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 138 (Thursday, November 13, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5982-S5983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DR. GEORGE D. EDWARDS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a man who has 
dedicated his life's work to education in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 
Dr. George D. Edwards is the founding president and CEO of Big Sandy 
Community and Technical College, BSCTC, and he will step down from that 
position in January of 2015.
  Although Dr. Edwards is originally from Virginia, it is fair to 
consider him an adopted son of the Bluegrass State. He first came to 
Kentucky in 1970 to attend Berea College, and upon finishing his 
undergraduate studies, he decided he wasn't in a hurry to leave. Dr. 
Edwards went to Murray State University to earn his master of business 
administration and master of economics, and despite some absences from 
the Commonwealth in the interim--including when he earned his doctor of 
education from the University of Southern Mississippi--he returned to 
Paintsville where he has lived for the last 14 years.
  When Dr. Edwards first moved to eastern Kentucky in 2000, he became 
the third president of Prestonsburg Community College and the first CEO 
for the Big Sandy Community and Technical College District. When the 
colleges merged in 2003 to become Big Sandy Community and Technical 
College, he became the institution's first president and CEO.
  In this capacity Dr. Edwards has worked tirelessly to strengthen Big 
Sandy's commitment to its students. He has cultivated ties with the 
area's business community through his work with the local chambers of 
commerce, he has instituted an honors program for students, a 
Leadership institute for faculty and staff, and created a music and 
drama program for students and the community. He has also overseen over 
$23 million in infrastructure projects on campus.
  Although Dr. Edwards and his wife, Dr. Joyce Edwards, plan to move to 
Verona, VA, in their retirement, their impact on the State and the 
region will undoubtedly remain. Therefore, I ask that my U.S. Senate 
colleagues join me in honoring this exemplary educator, Dr. George D. 
Edwards, and wishing him well in his future endeavors.
  Mr. President, the Big Sandy Community and Technical College recently 
published an article on their Web site detailing the life and career of 
Dr. George D. Edwards. I ask unanimous

[[Page S5983]]

consent that the article be printed in full in the Record.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record as follows:

                             [Aug. 5, 2014]

          Founding President/CEO of BSCTC Announces Retirement

       After 14 years, Dr. George D. Edwards, founding president 
     and CEO of Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC), 
     will step down as college president and CEO on January 5, 
     2015. He will work on a special assignment through June 30, 
     2015.
       ``This is a bittersweet day for our family,'' said Dr. 
     Edwards. ``I have had the honor of working with a dedicated 
     board of directors, foundation board, a great leadership 
     team, and a group of passionate faculty and staff who are 
     committed to our mission. Together, we have made great 
     strides in providing the people of the Big Sandy region a 
     comprehensive community and technical college that is devoted 
     to student success, access and transfer.''
       Dr. Michael B. McCall, founding president of the Kentucky 
     Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), issued the 
     following statement on Dr. Edwards' retirement: ``Dr. 
     Edwards' outstanding leadership during the past 14 years has 
     enabled BSCTC to provide the local community with educational 
     programs in high-wage, high-demand fields, designed to 
     enhance the eastern Kentucky economy. We are currently 
     working with Dr. Edwards to ensure a seamless transition plan 
     is in place as we move forward in our mission to provide 
     Kentuckians with a quality postsecondary education that is 
     both accessible and affordable.''
       Dr. Edwards and his wife, Dr. Joyce Edwards, plan to 
     relocate to Verona, Va. upon his retirement.
       ``This will allow us to be within two hours of all of our 
     children and grandchildren,'' he said. ``Family is very 
     important to Joyce and me, and we look forward to spending 
     time with them, traveling and volunteering in the 
     community.''
       Dr. Edwards became the third president of Prestonsburg 
     Community College and the founding president of the Big Sandy 
     Community and Technical College in November 2000, shortly 
     after the passage of House Bill 1 which created KCTCS. Under 
     his leadership, Prestonsburg Community College and Mayo 
     Technical College together formed Big Sandy Community and 
     Technical College in 2003.
       Student success has been the cornerstone of Dr. Edwards' 
     administration. Since 2008, the college has increased 
     credentials awarded to students by 140 percent and graduates 
     earning associate degrees by 64 percent.
       Dr. Edwards has overseen more than $23 million in building 
     projects during his tenure. BSCTC opened the Student Center 
     in 2002 and the Postsecondary Education Building and East 
     Kentucky Science Center and Planetarium in 2004. The Mayo 
     campus benefitted from a more than $7.5-million renovation in 
     2002. Additionally, more than $4 million have been spent on 
     infrastructure upgrades in the areas of technology and 
     sustainability.
       Dr. Edwards' strong and compassionate leadership has led to 
     many accomplishments, including: the creation of the Floyd 
     County and Johnson County Early College Academies; a highly 
     responsive Workforce Solutions program; the creation of the 
     Big Sandy Singers, Big Sandy Idol and Fine Arts department; 
     the Honors Scholarship program; leadership development for 
     employees; and the continued growth of the Big Sandy College 
     Educational Foundation, Inc.
       ``I'm most proud of the students we've helped,'' said Dr. 
     Edwards. ``It's rewarding to be in a position and represent 
     an institution that has unwavering commitment to students. 
     It's also been rewarding to watch our employees grow and 
     develop over the years. I hope that my efforts have made a 
     difference.''
       Karen Sellers, chair of the BSCTC board of directors, said 
     Dr. Edwards transformed an already well respected community 
     college into a remarkable place to work and study.
       ``As a result of his strategic leadership, BSCTC has seen 
     significant growth in student enrollment, faculty achievement 
     and campus improvements,'' she said. ``Dr. Edwards has done a 
     terrific job of reaching out to the business community, 
     fundraising and recruiting talented students, faculty and 
     staff. Every step of the way, he has reminded this community 
     of the vital importance of Big Sandy Community and Technical 
     College.''
       Charles ``Rusty'' Justice, vice chair of the BSCTC board of 
     directors, said: ``I would like to thank Dr. Edwards for his 
     leadership of this wonderful institution over the last 14 
     years. Under his guidance he has overseen growth and progress 
     in all facets of the organization. I would also like to thank 
     him for his friendship. He is a man of intelligence and 
     character and I have benefited from that relationship.''
       Bobby McCool, chief institutional officer, said Dr. 
     Edwards' leadership has elevated the importance of 
     postsecondary education in economic development.
       ``Big Sandy Community and Technical College has brokered 
     the dialogue of conversation on the role of our college in 
     workforce development,'' he said.
       Dr. Nancy B. Johnson, provost at BSCTC, said Dr. Edwards' 
     leadership and commitment to students and communities served 
     by the college has been phenomenal.
       ``The many successful programs initiated--increased 
     scholarship access; the improvement of facilities; the access 
     to technology and its infusion into the learning process; the 
     responsiveness to workforce needs; and the continual 
     encouragement and support to faculty and staff through 
     professional development opportunities--all provide evidence 
     of this leadership and commitment. Working as a member of his 
     team at Big Sandy has truly been a gift for me.''

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