For immediate release
January 28, 2008
Contact Emily Ray
Public Relations Coordinator
(270) 824-8581
Emily.Ray@kctcs.edu
http://www.madisonville.kctcs.edu
Thomas Family Provides Major Gift to Badgett Center
MADISONVILLE, Ky.—Chester Thomas grew up in Muhlenberg County in the heart of coal country. He spent a lot of time going to the mines with his father, Phil, and grandfather, Othal Taylor. They both worked in Brown Badgett’s organization and contributed much to the local coal industry.
For over a decade, Chester has continued that family legacy, building a resume of accomplishments in the coal fields of Hopkins and Webster counties. Chester has grown his business and is now one of the largest employers in the western Kentucky coal fields. Through his success and generosity, Chester and his wife, Jennifer, have provided a major gift to Madisonville Community College. The college announced the gift during a recent Board of Directors quarterly meeting in Madisonville.
The gift is designated to academic programming to be housed in the Brown Badgett, Sr. Energy and Advanced Technology Center, currently under construction. The major portion of this gift will be used in support of coal-related degree coursework, which will have its labs and support classrooms in the Badgett Center. The college has reserved a laboratory area in the coal curriculum for naming in honor of his father, Phil Thomas. The gift is the third major gift the college has received in support of the Badgett Center. In 2005, both the Charles R. Savidge Family Foundation and Peabody Energy Group made naming level size gifts to the project.
In making the gift, Thomas emphasized, “This is simply the right thing to do. Dr. Rhoads does a tremendous job making sure that area businesses have well-trained employees. This is not only an investment in my business but also an investment to support this college endeavor. Kentucky’s economic future rests in large part on the continued success and development of new coal technologies, and their environmentally sound application. Our communities in west Kentucky will benefit greatly on a positive, successful and safe coal culture. I am confident that this gift that Jennifer and I have made will strengthen programming in the Badgett Center. Well-trained coal miners mean our mines will be safer and more productive. This is a win-win for coal, the college, and our community as we strive to safely produce reliable and affordable energy for our nation.”
MCC President Judy Rhoads was pleased to receive the major donation, but seemed just as pleased that Thomas has played a role in the development of the Badgett Building and current education programs that the college offers for future miners. “I am humbled by the gift that the Thomas family has provided, and I continue to appreciate the time and attention to detail that Mr. Thomas has provided to our academic leadership. His experiences have a great deal of value when we are trying to address what coal companies and their employees need. Great friends simply mean a better college.”
The college continues to develop curriculum, programs and permanent donor recognition plans for the Brown Badgett Center. Classes are expected to start in the facility in Spring 2009.
Pictured above are Chester and Jennifer Thomas.
MCC is an equal opportunity and education institution