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WKCTC President Barbara Veazey and Michael Pape, senior field representative for Congressman Ed Whitfield, show off a water color of the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah to be given to Congressman Whitfield in recognition of his support of the Paducah center. |
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More than 80 people gathered in the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah Wednesday, September 5 to celebrate the center’s fifth year of inspiring thousands of youngsters to become life-long learners.
One important guest, however, was missing. U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield had been scheduled to speak during the reception, but was unable to attend due to pressing issues that kept him in the nation’s capital. Michael Pape, senior field representative to the congressman, spoke on his behalf.
Whitfield became an early supporter of the mission of the Challenger Learning Centers to provide math, science and technology education for elementary and middle school students. He visited the national headquarters in Alexandria, VA and observed missions to educate himself on the benefits of the program.
“This really is one of the hallmarks of his tenure in Congress. He was really so excited to be a part of this project,” Pape said, adding that the center has made a tremendous difference in the lives of thousands of students and teachers.
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Ken Wheeler, chair of the Paducah Juninor College, Inc. Board of Trustees, listens as Michael Pape, senior field representative for Congressman Ed Whitfield, speaks during a reception recognizing the 5th anniversary of the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah. |
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Located on the campus of West Kentucky Community & Technical College, the Center is a part of a national program formed as a living memorial to the six astronauts and teacher Christa McAuliffe, who died when the space shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986. Paducah’s $5.3 million center officially opened on August 16, 2002, as the 44th member of the national Challenger Center for Space Science Education network.
Ken Wheeler, chair of the Paducah Junior College, Inc. Board of Trustees, said Whitfield was instrumental in securing $1.3 million for the project because of his firm belief in the importance of the learning center to the community. “If it had not been for Ed Whitfield’s efforts we would not be here today,” Wheeler said.
WKCTC President Barbara Veazey also praised Whitfield’s efforts and presented to Pape, who accepted for the congressman, a water color painting of the Challenger Learning Center by local artist Bill Ford.
Since the inaugural mission, Rendezvous With a Comet™ on September 16, 2002, the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah has flown over 1,200 missions and added programming such as summer camps, scouting workshops, e-Missions and professional development for area teachers. “I don’t if this community realizes what a gem we have in our community (in the Challenger Learning Center in Paducah), but we do,” Veazey said. |
