Through Barton’s Building Academic Skills In Correctional Settings (BASICS) program, the college offers a host of learning opportunities to offenders at ECF. Representatives from Barton, the Kansas Board of Regents, and the Kansas Department of Corrections gathered to celebrate the educational achievements of offenders at the facility.

The 13^th annual Learning Celebration highlighted the success of about 140 inmates who have taken the initiative to pursue their education while incarcerated at ECF.

Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman praised the efforts of the students and shared his appreciation to those who make BASICS possible. He noted that the educational opportunities are afforded to offenders thanks to grant funding and the drive of several employees and administrators at Barton and ECF.

Offender Anthony Smith spoke on his experience in the education programs and an all-offender band provided music for the event.

The ceremony honored offenders for successful completion of their Kansas State High School Diploma, as well as certificates for WorkReady, Certiport IC3 Digital Literacy, Microsoft Office Specialist, Manufacturing Skills, NCCER-Introductory Craft Skills, Welding, and OSHA 10 Safety. 

Additional awards were presented to those offenders working toward their Associate Degrees, for successful completion of 18 hours and 32 hours of Barton Basics Classes.  Scholarship recipients for the for Fall 2016, Spring 2017 and Fall 2017 were also recognized at the ceremony.