ELLIOTT, TROUT, BAKER AND BRANHAM EARN BSCTC OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD

Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) recognized four former students with its prestigious Outstanding Alumni award during commencement ceremonies held on May 8-9 at the Mountain Arts Center.

Phillip Elliott, senior vice president and chief financial officer for First Commonwealth Bank; Justin Trout, owner of Eastern Air Flow; Kara Baker, dental hygienist at Barnhill Pediatric Dentistry; and Sharon Branham, retired nurse and author were selected as this years honorees.

Elliott graduated from Prestonsburg Community College in 1979 and transferred to the University of Kentucky where he earned a degree in accounting. He became a certified public accountant in 1983 and has spent the last 32 years at First Commonwealth Bank in a variety of positions, including accountant, chief accounting officer and vice president.

Trout is a graduate of BSCTCs Air Conditioning Technology program. He earned a bachelors degree from the University of Kentucky. Trout teaches at the Floyd County Area Technology Center and recently opened his own business, Eastern Air Flow, in Prestonsburg.

Baker attended Bluegrass Community and Technical College before transferring to BSCTC where she earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene in 2010. She resides in Corbin and works as a dental hygienist at Barnhill Pediatric Dentistry.

Branham started a career in nursing after graduating from Prestonsburg Community College in 1980. She moved to Cincinnati where she worked as a critical care nurse for four years before moving home and accepting a position at the Big Sandy Area Development District. She recently authored a book, The American Nurse, that depicts stories of nurses throughout America.
Each Outstanding Alumni honoree was presented an award by BSCTC Interim President Dr. Charles V. Chrestman.