Kickoff for SKCTCs 50th anniversary celebration set for November 3

A celebration of the many and lasting contributions made by Southeast Kentucky Community amp; Technical College over the past half century will be held during a kickoff event commemorating its 50 years of service to the region.

The event is set for 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 3 in the Edsel Godbey Appalachian Center located on the Cumberland campus. The gala will feature appearances by several former SKCTC presidents, musical entertainment and testimonials and recollections by alumni, faculty, staff and current students. Additionally, cast members of the highly-acclaimed community play Higher Ground will perform a scene from the effort, and a video chronicling the history and development of the college will also makes its premiere.

The college opened its doors at Cumberland in 1960 with an enrollment of 225. Today, Southeast has grown to include five full-service campuses located at Cumberland, Harlan, Pineville, Middlesboro and Whitesburg. The enrollment is over 5,000 students. On display in the gallery of the Appalachian Center will be a 10-feet by 20-feet timeline which traces the progress and key moments of the schools first 50 years of service to those who reside within its service area of Harlan, Letcher and Bell counties.

The year-long celebration will continue through the end of the 2010-11 academic year with various events to be held on each of the SKCTC campuses. The kickoff slated for Nov. 3, according to Chris Jones, college publicist, will be a time to gather, reflect and to celebrate the years Southeast has been a viable part of the lives of students, past and present.

Dr. W. Bruce Ayers, SKCTC president since 1987, noted the year-long slate of events gives people from across the region the opportunity to come together and to celebrate the successes enjoyed by the college since 1960. It is a time to draw together, enjoy and be exceedingly happy for the many good things that have transpired at the college over the years. We invite all to come out and take part, he said.

Following the program, a reception will be held. The event is free and open to the public, for additional information contact Pamela Whitehead, SKCTC Cumberland, phone 589-3155.