From Foresight, Vol. 9, No. 4
published 2003
Virginia Fox,
long-time Executive Director of Kentucky Educational Television (KET), was awarded the sixth annual Vic
Hellard Jr. Award, given in memory and recognition of the former director of the
Legislative Research Commission, at the Center’s 2002 conference.
Fox began her distinguished career in public television with KET in 1968 three months before it went on the air. Only the second executive director in the history of KET, she was instrumental in making it one of the nation’s most successful educational television channels. As part of KET’s leadership team and later its leader, Fox has helped pave the way for programming that provides lifelong learning opportunities for Kentuckians of all ages, created a collection of public affairs programs that have become Kentucky fixtures, and launched KET’s prize-winning coverage of the General Assembly.
In 1980, Fox left KET to become the first and only female president of the then Southern Educational Communications Association. In that capacity, she transformed the organization, creating a national market for its instructional television programs. Fox soon became what Press terms "one of the most sought-after public television executives in the country."
Persuaded to return to KET in 1989 to build an endowment, Fox was quickly recognized as O. Leonard Press’s logical successor when he retired in 1991. Under her guidance, KET expanded its original programming, particularly in the arts, increased public support, and ensured KET’s readiness for the future, establishing the platform for digital television a year ahead of federal mandates. Al Smith, long-time host of "Comment on Kentucky," also applauds Fox for being a mentor to young women and minorities throughout her career.
Nominations for the annual Hellard Award are submitted by the public, and recipients are selected by the Center Board. Recipients of the award are commemorated on a plaque displayed in the State Capitol.