Gateway Community & Technical College will recognize three key contributors to Northern Kentucky at its fourth annual Gateway to Greatness Awards Luncheon.
The ceremony will be held on May 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Drees Pavilion in Covington.
This year’s honorees include Safran Landing Systems, Karen Finan, and Chris Dye, each selected for their contributions to Gateway and the broader community.
Boone County-based Safran Landing Systems will receive the Community Champion Award for its ongoing partnership with Gateway’s Workforce Solutions division. The aerospace company has collaborated with the college to provide customized training, technical education, and apprenticeship pathways for its employees, as well as annual tuition benefits to support continued learning.
“Safran’s partnership with Gateway is just one of countless examples of its commitment to the Northern Kentucky community,” said Gateway President Fernando Figueroa in a press release.
Karen Finan, CEO of the OneNKY Alliance, will be honored as the Individual Champion for her leadership in regional development, workforce expansion, and education. Finan’s two decades of executive experience include roles at the Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation and Duke Realty Corporation. She also serves as board chair for the Northern Kentucky Education Council and Aviatra Accelerators.
“Karen Finan is a tremendous regional leader and is crucial to the development of Northern Kentucky,” Figueroa said.
Chris Dye, co-founder of Newport-based design agency Dye Brothers and a Gateway alumnus, will receive the Outstanding Alumni Award. Notably, he and his brother created the mural at Gateway’s Covington campus.
“Chris Dye represents the very best of Gateway,” Figueroa said in the release. “His entrepreneurial success and commitment to the community stand as an inspiration to our current students and alumni.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit Gateway scholarships and student support programs.
For tickets or sponsorship information, interested parties should contact Lilly Pinhas at lilly.pinhas@kctcs.edu.
