HOPKINSVILLE, KY. (August 14, 2020) Matthew Caleb Evitts has been named the 2020 HOPFAME Distinguished Graduate at Hopkinsville Community College (HCC).  Evitts earned an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Industrial Maintenance Technology in May upon completion of the HOPFAME program, which is a work-and-learn partnership between HCC and nearly 20 regional manufacturers.   

Evitts, who was employed by Metalsa Structural Products during the two-year program, was selected based on his outstanding performance both in the classroom and on the job.  A resident of Clifty, he is a 2018 Todd County Central High School graduate and a graduate of the third HOPFAME cohort. 

The Distinguished Graduate award is the highest honor bestowed in the local FAME chapter and recognizes the graduate who most fully embodies all of the key elements of the program.  The award considers performance at work, application of professional behaviors and manufacturing core exercises, leadership and grade point average. HCC Assistant Professor Stuart Zieman said, “Matthew has shown great growth over his two years in the program.  He has become a leader and a voice for HOPFAME.” 

HOPFAME is the Hopkinsville chapter of the Kentucky Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (KYFAME), a collaborative of manufacturers whose purpose is to implement apprentice-style training to create a pipeline of highly skilled workers.  Kentucky is one of 11 states with FAME USA programs.   

Twenty-six participants have completed the five-semester program at HCC since its launch in 2016.   HOPFAME students attend classes at HCC two days each week and work at their employer site three days a week.  The curriculum includes not only essential hands-on training but also lean manufacturing principles and critical workplace behaviors. Graduates have 18 months of work experience, extensive knowledge in electricity, fluid power, mechanics, fabrication and robotics, as well as personal skills necessary for success.   

A new group of HOPFAME students began training on August 11.  Members of the new cohort are Zachary Ayers (Hopkinsville), Jeremy Foster (Elkton), Spencer Harned (Hopkinsville), Eddie Keeling (Hopkinsville) and Jessica Smith (Princeton).  For more information about HOPFAME, contact Success Coach Tara Rascoe at 270-707-3745 or tara.rascoe@kctcs.edu or visit rebrand.ly/HOPFAME. 

Matthew Caleb Evitts – 2020 HOPFAME Distinguished Graduate at Hopkinsville Community College
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