Corbin Area Technology Center building renamed in honor of R.L. Owens

The Corbin Board of Education approved a proposal to honor a local business owner for his support of the Corbin Area Technology Center by renaming the recently renovated building after him.

Betty Sue Surmont ( center) was on hand at the Corbin Board of Education meeting Thursday for the announcement that the Corbin Area Technology Center building would be renamed The R.L. Owens building as a tribute to her father. R.L. Owens was known to be a big supporter of the technology center and his family has continued the practice following his death.

At the regular monthly meeting Thursday night, the board voted unanimously to rename the facility on the Corbin High School campus after Corbin businessman and community leader R.L. Owens.

”Many people know that he was very prominent in us getting that,” said Board Member Angela Morris noting that Owens made several trips to Frankfort to speak with state officials in an effort to move the project forward.

“Other than that, all of the things that Owens has done for not only the school district but the city in general, I think it is a very nice gesture of something we can do in his honor.”

Board Chair Kim Croley added that if anyone deserved the honor, it was R.L. Owens.

“That was his baby,” Croley said. “His pride and joy there.”

Croley said a bronze plaque would be installed denoting that the building is now known as The Owens Building.

“I think it is important to recognize our community members who go above and beyond to help people in the community,” Croley said.

“He felt that it was important for the area students and I think it has proven to be exactly what he thought,” Croley said.

Area Technology Center Principal Patty Crawford said while R.L. Owens was an early supporter of the program, the Owens family has continued that support.

“If I need a piece of equipment, this woman provides it,” Crawford said of R.L. Owens’ daughter, Betty Sue Surmont.

Crawford announced that Surmont has started a scholarship program at the technology center. One male and one female student will each receive a $1,000 scholarship to further their education.

“That is a wonderful gesture,” Crawford said.

Surmont said her father believed in hands-on skills training of the kind offered at the technology center.

“It is a great honor,” Surmont said of the board’s decision.

“He would be tickled to death,” Surmont said of how her father would feel about his name on the building.

In other business the board:

• Approved the 2017-18 school calendar

Superintendent Dave Cox said it is similar to the current calendar with classes beginning after Corbin’s annual Nibroc festival the second weekend of August.

The first day for students will be August 16.

Fall break is scheduled for the week of October 16-20.

The day before Christmas break, December 15 and the last day of school, May 18, will both be a half-day of class.

Students will return from the Christmas holiday on Jan. 4, 2018.

Spring break will be April 2-6, 2018.

The last day of class is scheduled for May 18, 2018 with graduation to be held on May 20, 2018.