(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – Marlene Helm, Ed.D, recent interim dean of the Eastern Kentucky University College of Education, and Rep. Frank Rasche of Paducah are the recipients of the third annual Dr. Samuel Robinson Award, presented today by the Kentucky Board of Education at its meeting in Frankfort.
To honor retiring board member Samuel Robinson and to celebrate the Brown vs. Board of Education
decision of 1954, the Kentucky Board of Education established the Dr. Samuel Robinson Award in 2004. The
annual award is conferred on an individual or organization in Kentucky for demonstrating outstanding commitment,
service and leadership in promoting opportunities to learn at high levels for all Kentucky students.
Three Kentucky Board of Education members -- Bonnie Lash Freeman, Joe Brothers and Jeanne Ferguson -- served as this year's selection committee.
Helm joined the EKU faculty in 2004 after a serving a year as interim superintendent of Fayette County schools. From 1999 to 2003, she served the as secretary of the Kentucky Education, Arts and Humanities Cabinet. She was nominated for the Robinson award by current Kentucky Board of Education member Rev. C.B. Akins.
"While giving of herself untiringly in the public venue, Dr. Helm also has maintained a strong family presence," Rev. Akins said in his nomination. "Her volunteer hours in the community are too numerous to count."
Helm has earned numerous awards for her service, including the YMCA Black Achievers Community Achiever of the Year, the Torch of Excellence Award from the University of Kentucky College of Education and the University of Kentucky College of Education Hall of Fame Award. Also, the annual Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts Alumni award is named The Marlene M. Helm Alumni Excellence Award.
Rasche has been a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives since 1993 and represents the 3rd District, which is comprised of McCracken County. He is co-chair of the Interim Joint Committee on Education. Rasche also is a member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Education, the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee and the House Judiciary Committee, among others.
Rasche received two separate nominations, one from Rep. Jody Richards, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and one from Rep. Larry Clark, Speaker Pro Tem of the House.
"As a legislator, and especially as a chairman, Frank Rasche brings a thoughtful, measured approach to his job, always with an eye on the long-term impact of whatever is proposed," said Richards in his nomination letter. "I cannot think of a person more committed to seeing our students excel."
"Frank Rasche has promoted change when change was indicated through careful study and has resisted actions that would dismantle progress already made," said Clark in his nomination letter. "He has devoted many years, accomplishing many great things, to improve the educational opportunities for all students in Kentucky."
Former recipients of the Dr. Samuel Robinson Award are:
2004 (joint recipients)
Sen. Gerald A. Neal of Louisville and the One Community, One Voice Achievement and Closing the Gap Community Committee of Fayette County
2005
Robert Smotherman, superintendent of the Bardstown Independent school district
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