VARIA FAMILY FOUNDATION, MOUNTAIN COMPREHENSIVE CARE CENTER RECOGNIZED AT KCTCS PRESIDENTS GALA | BSCTC

    VARIA FAMILY FOUNDATION, MOUNTAIN COMPREHENSIVE CARE CENTER RECOGNIZED AT KCTCS PRESIDENTS GALA

    Dr. Chandra Varia and Anand Doshi, center, of the Varia Family Foundation were presented with a benefactors award by former Big Sandy Community and Technical College President/CEO Dr. George D. Edwards and Dr. Michael B. McCall, former founding president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. The Varia Family Foundation, Dr. Chandra Varia and Mountain Comprehensive Care Center were among 31 individuals, businesses and foundations honored by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) during its 2014 Presidents Gala and Benefactors Awards dinner on November 1, 2014.

    The annual event, a black-tie affair, brings together college, business and state leaders to recognize KCTCS and Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) donors. Each year, BSCTC has the opportunity to recognize at least two of its outstanding donors.

    This is an opportunity to recognize businesses and individuals who work as ambassadors of higher education in the Big Sandy region, said Joshua Ball, director of college relations at BSCTC. Our supporters give generously to scholarships and capital projects, but they also give their time advocating for higher education across our region.

    The Varia Family Foundation has worked for decades to promote the value of education. Their generosity has changed countless lives through multiple endowed scholarships and financial contributions. In December, the Varia Family Foundation and Dr. Chandra Varia gave a $100,000 gift to the colleges BuildSmart project (the Pikeville campus expansion). The Planetarium at the East Kentucky Science Center will be named in honor of the Varia family.

    Mountain Comprehensive Care Centers Julie Paxton, center, was presented with a benefactors award by former Big Sandy Community and Technical College President/CEO Dr. George D. Edwards and Dr. Michael B. McCall, former founding president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. Paxton is also chair of the Big Sandy College Educational Foundation, Inc. As one of the most significant donors in school history, Dr. Chandra Varia has served on the board of the Big Sandy College Educational Foundation, Inc. Her late husband, Dr. Mahendra Varia, served on the foundation board for many years until his death in 2014.

    Mountain Comprehensive Care Center has served as a valuable community partner with the college. The organization has provided a variety of services and resources to faculty, staff and students. In 2013, Mountain Comprehensive Care Center provided on-campus counseling services to students.

    Mountain Comprehensive Care Center President/CEO Promod Bishnoi is a member of the Big Sandy College Educational Foundation, Inc., and was instrumental in forming the organizations endowed scholarship.

    To learn more about giving opportunities at BSCTC, contact Joshua Ball at (606) 889-4703 or email jball0079@kctcs.edu.