Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Receives Workforce Development Grant
City Hospital Foundation matches state funds

Martinsburg, West Virginia [May 3, 2007] – Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is pleased to announce they have received $40,000 from the City Hospital Foundation.  This donation matches state funds as part of a Workforce Development Initiative Grant from the West Virginia Community and Technical College Council.  These matching dollars have been used to operate the Associate Science in Nursing (ASN) program at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College.

City Hospital in Martinsburg and Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson, both members of WVU Hospitals-East, have provided financial support to Blue Ridge Community and Technical College’s nursing program for the past five years.  During this time, City Hospital has hired 17 graduates of their ASN program.  “This program has been mutually beneficial for the hospital and the college,” stated Susan Snowden, Chair of the City Hospital Foundation.  “The college receives funding to improve their programs and the hospital benefits by hiring from well educated, well trained employees.”  Dr. Peter Checkovich, President of Blue Ridge Community and Technical College stated, “We greatly appreciate the support we have received from the WVUH-East System and look forward to continuing this relationship for many years.”

The announcement was made as part of Blue Ridge CTC’s regular monthly Board of Governors meeting.  During the meeting, Ann Shipway reported ongoing workforce development projects with Essroc, Charles Town Races and Slots, and Allegheny Energy.  As Dean of Economic and Workforce Development at Blue Ridge, Shipway also announced a new program referred to as Middle College.  “This program will help transition students from the GED program to a two year college program,” she stated.

In addition, two Blue Ridge students, Julianne Frye and Sandra Baker, competed nationally as part of our All-West Virginia Academic Team and were recognized in a ceremony in Charleston last month.  Each year, community and technical colleges have students competing for national recognition through Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two year colleges.  

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College offers more than 40 associate degree and certificate programs, in addition to workforce development training.  Blue Ridge is conveniently located at 400 West Stephen Street in downtown Martinsburg, WV.  For more information about our courses and services, please call 304-260-4380 or visit our website at www.BlueRidgeCTC.edu.

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