News Archive

HCTCs Fred Landrum phasing toward retirement

After 48 years of working in education, HCTC Vice President of Business Services Fred Landrum is phasing into retirement.

Landrum has served 22 years at HCTC. Prior to that, he served the former Lees College for 21 years, first as biology instructor, then Division Chair, and then as Executive Vice President and College Dean. Prior to joining Lees College, Landrum taught high school biology. In those days, he had a student who would later become one of the three vice presidents at the College Doug Fraley, Vice President of Student Services.

HCTC President Dr. Steve Greiner praised Landrum for his vision, his excellence, his ability to handle the multi-million budget of the college, and the diversity of the work he has undertaken at the college. The Business Office has won numerous awards within KCTCS and is recognized for its integrity and competence because of Fred Landrum s leadership, Dr. Greiner said. He is highly valued as a member of the HCTC Leadership Team.

Landrum has had duties of leading the Business Office, directing Buildings and Grounds, managing auxiliary services including Food Service and the First Federal Center, bookstores, and leading safety and security. In addition to regular duties, he served as Interim President during 2002-03; he has helped with college strategic planning; and has helped to respond to several college self studies for accreditation.

Beginning in July, Landrum will participate in a plan called phased retirement. As he explains, One week it will be wife Patty, grandchildren: Braelyn, Cody and Adah; church activities, golf, photography, woodworking, fishing and chores. The next week it will be back to work, directing Maintenance and Operations, monitoring building projects, oversight of Food Service and Safety and Security. Phased retirement at HCTC can extend up to three years but as Landrum puts it, We will take it a year at the time.

Landrum has had a significant role in: supporting the financial planning for the building the Julian Carroll Airport/National Weather Service in Jackson; helping develop the financial planning and assisting in negotiations to consolidate Lees College into the UK Community College System; and helping to develop the Kentucky School of Craft, the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, and University Center of the Mountains.

Involvement in Jaycees was a contributing factor to his success as a leader. I was fortunate to have had membership in the Jaycees just as I was beginning my work career. This organization teaches leadership through community development. One part of the Jaycee Creed was Service to Humanity is the best work of life. That phrase had much meaning for me. I also respect all people and want them to do well. I try to be positive and honest in my relationships with others, Landrum said.

Probably my most significant personal accomplishment was to obtain a good education, Landrum noted. This was a result of encouragement from my parents and some great teachers who showed a personal interest in me. My education was the foundation for whatever else that I have been able to do.

During his long tenure, Landrum has enjoyed seeing the changes. 1n 1989 we had just opened the West Wing of what is now the Jolly Classroom Center, enrollment was less than 1,000 students, and tuition was $150 per semester. We continued to have rapid enrollment growth and very little classroom space until near the end of the 1990s. From 1999 to 2003 we added the First Federal Center, Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky, Knott Opportunity Center, Kentucky School of Craft, Science Wing of Jolly classroom center, and the merger of Lees and Hazard Technical College and Hazard Community College into one college, Landrum noted.

Enrollment is now over 4,500 students for the fall semester. More importantly over those 20 years, Hazard Community Technical College move from the low end of the scale to a high achiever within the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. Curriculum, technology and facilities are for the most area part state of the art, he said.

These activities were all part of team activities with a motivated, dedicated group of individuals focusing on continuous improvement. I am pleased to have been on the team to have moved the college to this position, Landrum said.