25 Years of MCC in Muhlenberg County

Published on Nov 12, 2026

For 25 years, Madisonville Community College's Muhlenberg Campus has helped bring educational opportunities closer to home for residents throughout Muhlenberg County.

MCC celebrated this milestone on October 29, honoring the community vision and generosity that made the campus possible. What began as an extraordinary community effort in 2001 became known as the “Muhlenberg Miracle.”

Through the Partners in Progress capital campaign, local leaders, businesses, and residents raised more than $3 million to support the campus's construction. The Everly Brothers Foundation also donated 20 acres of land in cooperation with the City of Central City, laying the foundation for what would become an important educational resource for the community. In 2007, the building was named the P.A. and Pauline Shaver Education Center in recognition of a significant gift from the Shaver family.

Since opening, the Muhlenberg Campus has served more than 8,600 students, including over 4,500 Muhlenberg County residents. MCC has awarded 2,391 associate degrees, 337 diplomas, and 2,050 certificates to Muhlenberg County students, helping generations of residents pursue their educational and career goals close to home.

That community support continues today. Since 1990, Muhlenberg County contributions have totaled more than $6.9 million, supporting educational facilities, scholarships, and student opportunities. The School Counts – Iris Givens Scholarship alone has awarded more than $861,000 to eligible Muhlenberg County students pursuing higher education.

As MCC celebrates this milestone, the legacy of the Muhlenberg Miracle lives on through the students, families, and communities the campus has impacted. The college looks forward to building on that foundation and creating even more opportunities for Muhlenberg County in the years ahead.

“Twenty-five years ago, this community built more than a building. It built opportunity,” said MCC Chancellor Dr. Cindy Kelley. “Today, we are honored to carry that vision forward.”