2002 Hellard Award Presented |
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OWENSBORO, KY (November 21, 2002) — The sixth annual Vic Hellard Jr. Award was presented here today to Virginia Fox, long-time Executive Director of Kentucky Educational Television (KET). The award, given in memory and recognition of Vic Hellard Jr., the former director of the Legislative Research Commission, was presented at the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center’s annual conference. Fox, who announced her retirement earlier this year, was chosen by the Center’s Board of Directors from among dozens of nominees. Fox, who began her distinguished career in public television with KET in 1968 three months before it went on the air, is only the second executive director in the history of KET, one of the nation’s most successful educational television channels. As her only predecessor, Leonard Press, recalls, “Ginni Fox was first my employee, then my peer and finally my successor at KET. In all those roles she excelled mightily.” It was Fox, recalls Press, who rose to the challenge of paving the way for collaboration between classroom teachers and KET, allaying the fears of teachers and administrators about the role of television in the classroom and helping to forge a model educational partnership that has served the state for decades. Fox, he added, was instrumental in pioneering programming that provides lifelong learning opportunities for Kentuckians, from adult literacy and GED certification classes to programming for children and college courses. As part of KET’s leadership team, then as its leader, Fox was instrumental in introducing a collection of public affairs programs that have become fixtures in the life in the Commonwealth, and collaborated with Press and Vic Hellard in launching KET’s prize-winning coverage of the General Assembly, putting citizens across the Commonwealth in touch with the legislative process. In 1980, Fox left the post of Deputy Director of KET to become the first and only female president of a national organization in public broadcasting, the then Southern Educational Communications Association (SECA). In that capacity, Press observes, she transformed the organization, creating a national market for its instructional television programs and building the regional organization into a national one, the National Educational Communications Association (NECA). In her capacity as head of SECA and later NECA, Fox made a name for herself nationally and became what Press terms “one of the most sought after public television executives in the country.” Persuaded by Press to return to KET in 1989 to build an endowment, Fox was quickly recognized as his logical successor when he announced his retirement in 1991. Under her guidance, KET increased its original programming, particularly in the arts, and successfully raised levels of public support in each of the past five years. Additionally, as The Courier-Journal noted on news of her retirement, Fox ensured KET’s readiness for the future, establishing the platform for digital television a year ahead of federal mandates. “TV is reinventing itself—yet again,” she observed, graciously adding, “It’s an opportune time for a new leader to build a new vision for KET.” Al Smith, host of “Comment on Kentucky,” credits Fox with providing another vital foundation for the future, of mentoring and guiding young women and minorities throughout her career. At KET, Smith observes, she created “an environment of no glass ceilings and an inclusiveness that is reminiscent of Hellard’s bright days at the helm of LRC.” Hellard Award recipients are selected by the Center Board from nominations submitted by the public. Criteria for the award include the demonstration of long-term vision and innovation, championship of the equality and dignity of every person, efforts to enhance the processes of a democratic society, and an approach to work distinguished by commitment, caring, generosity, and humor. Hellard was beloved for his playful wit, which was often embellished with theatrical flourishes. Recipients of the award are commemorated on a plaque displayed in the State Capitol. For additional information about the Hellard Award, contact the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center. |
