Education

It's taken 51 years for an area man to receive his college degree but as Angela Hatton reports 74-year-old Billy Ted Lowry felt it was the right time to graduate. 

A small crowd gathered in Murray State University President Randy Dunn’s office to see Lowry receive his diploma.

Seniors at the Graves County Area Technology Center in Mayfield now rank third among Kentucky high school technology students in mastery of skills needed to go to work. The Graves County students scored 68.3 percent on three Work Keys tests. The tests measure if applicants are qualified for factory jobs and gauge proficiency in reading, applied math and locating information.

The Kentucky Historical Society and schools around the commonwealth are partnering to create a new curriculum called “The Right Answer.”  The project is partially funded by a $110,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Historical Society says the curriculum is intended to increase students' skills in visual and historical literacy, as well as critical thinking with help from historical collections. The KHS plans a statewide pilot study to develop the program.

The latest Forbes’ Magazine listing of America’s Top 100 Colleges ranks Murray State University third among Kentucky colleges and universities and in the top eight percent nationally. Eleven Kentucky colleges and universities made the list. Of those, only the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville came in ahead of MSU. The Forbes ranking is based on quality of teaching, graduation rates, student debt and career prospects for students.

Clarksville-MontgomeryCounty School System officials have placed the principal of the district’s Alternative School on administrative leave pending investigation of his driving under the influence charge. Police arrested Principal Ed Stephens after he failed a sobriety test following a stop on Fort Campbell Boulevard Saturday night. Police said Stephens admitted he had been drinking. The system’s At-Risk Coordinator Doctor Kim Sigears takes over administration at the Alternative School. 

A Clarksville, Tenn., school principal is free on bond today following his arrest on charges of driving under the influence and possession of a handgun. The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle reports police stopped Alternative School Principal Eduard Michael Stephens, 55, in his truck Saturday night on Fort Campbell Boulevard. Police say Stephens admitted to having had two rum and Cokes, then failed a sobriety test. Stephens is free on $750 bail. The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System plans to review the case today.