Dr. Ronald J. Horvath

Horvath, Dr. Ronald J.,

76, died on Thursday, September 3, 2015, at Seneca Place.

He was President Emeritus of Jefferson Community College (now Jefferson Community and Technical College), in Louisville.

Born in New York City, he was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Helen (Unger) Horvath, and brothers, Gerald and Joseph.

Ron, as he preferred to be called after retirement, is survived by his wife of 53 years, Gladys (Albright) Horvath; children, Timothy Horvath (Nancy), of Huntsville, AL, and Anne T. Horvath, of Birmingham, AL; and two granddaughters, Erica and Nicole Horvath, of Huntsville.

He grew up in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and received a BS and MS in education from Kutztown University and an EdD in Higher Education from Lehigh University. He was the first in his family to earn a high school or college diploma.

An educator throughout his professional life, he was an English teacher at Parkland High School (Allentown, PA), professor and administrator at Lehigh County Community College (PA), administrator and acting president at Broome Community College (Binghamton, NY), and president of JCC from 1975 until his retirement in 1995.

Under his leadership JCC received numerous recognitions and rankings by national organizations, most notably the #2 national ranking of JCC in 1985 from the University of Texas Community College Leadership Program and National Panel. Ron always credited the excellent faculty and staff for these awards. One of his highest priorities was growing JCC. He was instrumental in the development of the JCC Southwest campus and establishment of another campus at Carrollton. Promoting an associate degree program for inmates at local prisons was one of the accomplishments of which he was most proud. Ron was a strong believer that the community college belongs to the community.

Just a few of the many personal awards and honors were: election to the national Board of Directors of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges, Outstanding Alumnus of Kutztown University in 1990, and secretary/treasurer of the Board of Trustees of the Southern Association. Over the years he served on numerous civic boards and committees in Louisville.

Family members wish to acknowledge the outstanding medical care he has received from doctors, nurses, and medical staff during the recent years of difficult health problems.

The family scheduled a private service but later will announce a memorial service to be held in the Ronald J. Horvath Auditorium at Jefferson Community and Technical College Southwest. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the JCTC Foundation, 109 East Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202; the Kutztown University Foundation, P.O. Box 151, Kutztown, PA 19530; or a charity of choice.