Recently, I was reminded once again of just how much the Ed Godbey family loves education. Several months ago Ed and Sue Godbey were here in the area for a visit, and before they left to return to Georgia, they presented Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College with a check for $12,000 to initiate the Sue Godbey Scholarship Endowment. This latest gift was in addition to the $565,000 Godbey charitable unitrust which was established in 2000.

For those of you who may not know, we named the Appalachian Center in honor of Dr. Edsel Godbey who served as the first president of the college. Dr. Godbey remained our friend when he left Southeast to take an executive position with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). He later established a consulting agency in Georgia specializing in institutional/management and planning. Dr. Godbey has worked with postsecondary institutions and systems in 16 states and 4 foreign countries.

Dr. Godbey set up the scholarship fund to honor his wife, Sue, a professional educator. Sue has taught elementary school in both Kentucky and in Georgia. While teaching in Dekalb County Georgia, her responsibilities included at various times: 1) coordinator for elementary science and health; and 2) supervisor for magnet schools, paraprofessionals and guidance counselors.

Mrs. Godbey's endowed scholarship fund will enable students in the SKCTC service area to obtain a college degree in teacher education. It will enable those who have academic ability and financial need to fulfill the dream of becoming a professional educator like Sue.

"I went into elementary instruction because I liked it,” said Sue, and I found that I was good at it, and it needed to be done. It is a singularly demanding profession, but one with rewards like those that cannot be found in other walks of life. If one does not just plain like children, and are indeed fascinated by them, they should not become an elementary teacher. . . . . But, if the opposite is true, then both parties win and win handsomely."

Sue recently related that her husband once noted in a commencement speech that he considered education to be "virtually the sole conveyance to a better life for those in less favored circumstances." Both Sue and Ed believe that formal education from elementary through college is necessary for anyone "seeking economic advancement on all levels." The Godbey's acknowledge that education is like a brick wall, in that the foundation laid governs everything that follows. We at Southeast could not agree more.

The example set by Ed and Sue Godbey is reflected in their children. Their son, Dr. Patrick E.T. Godbey, received his first two years of formal education in the Harlan County schools. Today, Patrick is a medical doctor and co-owner of a three-state system of medical laboratories. Their daughter, Lisa Godbey Wood, is the United States Attorney for South Georgia -- the highest ranking female federal official in the state.

Dr. and Mrs. Godbey have been blessed with three wonderful grandchildren. Patrick's daughter Elizabeth is 18 years old and a freshman at the University of Georgia. She is one of only 21 Foundation Fellows in her class of several thousand members. Lachlan and Katherine Wood (the children pictured here with Dr. and Mrs. Godbey), three-year old twins, are the children of the Godbey's daughter Lisa. Neither Ed nor Sue has ever had any experience with twins, but they are enjoying Lachlan and Katherine.

On behalf of Southeast, I want to take this opportunity to thank the Ed Godbey family for their commitment to education and to the mission of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College. Because of support from the Godbey family SKCTC can continue to provide quality higher education throughout Southeast Kentucky.