It was an event full of good cheer, celebration and recognition, as Hopkinsville Community College celebrated the graduating students, and the incoming co-hort, for the HOPFAME program.
The HOPFAME program is the Hopkinsville Chapter of the Kentucky Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education, where HCC collaborates with regional manufacturers and industries to offer students apprenticeship style training, while they also take their classes at the college. There were seven individuals graduating with their cords Thursday, and some important awards were handed out at the event.
The Distinguished Graduate Award was presented to Matthew Balthrop of Gracey, and then the Adrian Tucker MVP Award, presented by Tucker’s mother, went to Jordan Strohl of Hopkinsville.
Tucker was a member of the HOPFAME co-hort, until he was killed in a vehicular crash on Bill Byran Boulevard in 2023, and HCC officials say this award reflects the hard work, the good spirit and willingness to learn and experience life that Tucker brought with him. It is awarded to a student they feel reflects those tenants.
Three current co-hort participants will continue on in their learning, and they will be joined by 13 new members, who were all recognized at Thursday’s event.
It also acted as a “Going-Pro” signing events for the HOPFAME graduates that have been hired straight out of the program by a regional partner.
Photos taken and provided by Lanita Wilson
