GCTC Professor Alan Hall Will Be Remembered as KCTCS Pioneer
, - July 10, 2009
Alan Curtis Hall, a popular and well-respected history professor at Gateway Community and Technical College as well as a “pioneer” in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, died Wednesday in a mowing accident at his home in Hayes Valley near Falmouth. He was 48.
“We have lost a dedicated teacher who transformed the lives of his students, a colleague who made our experiences at Gateway more rewarding and enjoyable, and a friend whose influence and friendship made each of us better individuals,” said G. Edward Hughes, Gateway president and CEO. “His death deeply saddens all of us who knew and worked with him.”
Mr. Hall was a 1978 graduate of Pendleton County High School. He later received a diploma in electronics/communications technology from Northern Kentucky State Vocational-Technical School, which later became part of Gateway. In 1998, he received an associate in applied science degree in industrial education from Northern Kentucky University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial education in 2000.
Mr. Hall joined Gateway in 1989 as an assistant professor in information technology and electronics technology. He was an early supporter of KCTCS and the initiative to combine Northern Kentucky’s existing technical schools, which laid the foundation for Gateway.
Mr. Hall was a member of a team of IT experts that developed the American Association of Community Colleges Microsoft Working Connections Grant for KCTCS. “His loss is devastating news,” said Keith W. Bird, former KCTCS chancellor. “He was one of our pioneers in the IT area as we came aboard over 10 years ago.”
Mr. Hall was heavily involved in Gateway’s efforts to develop into a comprehensive community and technical college. He served as a member of the school’s Capacity Building and Transfer Preparation strategy teams; the General Education Audit Team supporting Gateway’s successful regional accreditation process; was division chair for the Industrial & Transportation Technologies Division; coordinated the Information Technology Program; and served as principal investigator for the National Science Foundation Manufacturing Technology Scholarship Project. This $441,600 grant from the NSF substantially enhanced the college’s advanced manufacturing program. Mr. Hall also served on the college’s Academic Leadership Team in 2006-07.
“Alan was a perfect example of lifelong learning,” Dr. Hughes said. “As the college moved to become a comprehensive community and technical college, Alan recognized the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of teaching history. He took a sabbatical to return to NKU and obtained a master of arts degree in liberal studies with an emphasis in history. He returned to Gateway and began his new career as a history teacher in 2008.
That same year, he was a co-developer of Gateway’s Study Abroad Program, and in March 2009, he accompanied a group of Gateway students and faculty to France on the college’s first international studies trip.
“His passion for teaching history was never more evident than during this trip with the students,” Dr. Hughes added. “His insight into World War II added even greater understanding to the tour of the D-Day beaches at Normandy. He was clearly in his element, and it touched the hearts of all of us.”
Mr. Hall was known throughout the KCTCS system as a caring and committed educator. He graduated in 2001 from the KCTCS President’s Leadership Seminar and participated in the National Leadership Institute at the Ohio State University in 2002-03. He was associate director of the KCTCS IT Fast-Track program in 2000-02, was Cisco Regional Academy Coordinator/Instructor in 1999-2002, and served on the KCTCS IT Steering Committee in 1999-2002.
“Alan was one of the warmest individuals I have ever worked with; he will be greatly missed,” said Vincent A. Dinoto, Jr., professor of information technology and a colleague at Jefferson Community and Technical College in Louisville.
Mr. Hall was well-known throughout the community for his generous and caring spirit. He was a member of the Pendleton County Education Foundation and the Pendleton County Higher Education Committee. He and his wife, Ressie, who works in Gateway’s Workforce Solutions Division, were the first to come or to call when friends or family needed help.
Born in 1960 in Campbell County, Kentucky, Hall was the son of the late Ayrus C. and June Norton Hall. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Adam, and a daughter, Rebecca, both of Falmouth, Ky.; sister, Vicki Hyatt, of Falmouth; niece Wendy (Steve) Sper, and great nieces and nephews, Joshua, Emily, Julianna, Chase, and Cade Sper, all of Falmouth.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Falmouth United Methodist Church, 230 West Shelby Street. Interment will take place at the Riverside Cemetery in Falmouth. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Woodhead Funeral Home in Falmouth and Monday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Falmouth United Methodist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pendleton County Education Foundation for the Alan C. Hall Memorial Scholarship for a Pendleton County High School senior continuing his or her education at a Kentucky Community and Technical College System institution. Online condolences – www.woodheadfuneralhome.com
View the tribute website at http://www.gateway.kctcs.edu/tribute/
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