Celebrating the Last Days of Summer ACTC Presents Party on the Lawn

Celebrating the Last Days of Summer

ACTC Presents Party on the Lawn

Gwen Akers

The Ashland Beacon

As the heat of summer comes to a close and everyone prepares to head back to school, it's important to soak up the last bit of that summer sun. One way to do just that is to check out Ashland Community and Technical College’s upcoming Party on the Lawn—featuring inflatables, music, food, games, and more.

Ashland Community and Technical College have been serving our community since its founding in 1938, ever-expanding its programs and opportunities to better serve the people of our area. One of the first municipalities to take advantage of expanded tax legislation for education, ACTC originally opened as Ashland Junior College. With disciplines ranging from cosmetology to business, ACTC is a steppingstone to success. Now, many years later, ACTC is still celebrating the return of its students to campus.

“Party on the Lawn started in 2019 as a fun way to welcome students back to campus. We wanted something that felt inviting for everyone, including our students, their families and the community. Over the years it's grown into one of our favorite traditions,” explained Chief Student Affairs Officer Steve Woodburn.

Woodburn has been with ACTC for 11 years, hailing from Ironton and always working to find ways to engage the campus with the community. Party on the Lawn is just the first of many outreach events, featuring informational tables and booths for jobseekers and prospective students alongside inflatables for the younger crowd. Presenting these resources to the community in a fun and inviting environment is the hallmark of the event, with, of course, attractions like the petting zoo and giveaways.

Since its beginning in 2019, Party on the Lawn has been a great opportunity for students not only to feel welcomed to campus but also to begin making connections that will last a lifetime. Chasing those opportunities and taking classes are just the first of many scary steps—but they become a lot less scary when you have a community supporting you. Ashland’s community is what makes it so unique and vibrant, and this event serves to celebrate that.

“I think Party on the Lawn helps our students feel right at home from day one. It’s a chance for them to meet new people, reconnect with friends, and see all the support that’s available to them. For the community, it’s a way to connect with our campus, learn local resources, and just enjoy a fun evening together,” detailed Woodburn.

Whether you are looking to learn about the opportunities available to you in our community or just want to meet new people and maybe pet some animals, Party on the Lawn serves as the perfect capstone to the end of the summer. Join ACTC and other community members from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on August 21 at the College Drive Campus. In the meantime, you can find out more information about Ashland Community and Technical College and the opportunities they offer by checking out their Facebook page or by visiting their website at ashland.kctcs.edu.