SKCTC hosts MLK lecture on servant leadership in education

Published on Jan 20, 2026

Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College hosted an academic lecture Tuesday honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on the principles of servant leadership and the vital role education plays in strengthening communities.

Keisha Hunt-Eary speaks on the role of servant leadership in education during SKCTC’s Martin Luther King Jr. lecture at the Cumberland campus's Hazen Theater.




The event followed the college’s observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and reflected on King’s formative years in education and the enduring connection between learning, leadership and service.

Held at the Hazen Theater on the Cumberland campus, the program opened with remarks from SKCTC President Lee Harrison, who emphasized King’s belief that education develops both intelligence and character.

“Dr. King taught that the purpose of education is to develop intelligence plus character, and that truth still guides us,” said Harrison. “His formative years in the classroom shaped the servant leadership that changed our world. At Southeast, we carry that forward by preparing students to think critically and serve their communities with clarity and courage.”

Professor emeritus Tammie Chapman provided musical selections that shaped the tone of the event, performing “What a Wonderful World,” “Nature Boy” and “I Then Shall Live.”

Keynote facilitator Keisha Hunt-Eary encouraged participants to consider the influence they have on those they serve.

“So many of the people we work with have never been told they’re capable of anything,” she said. “As educators, we have the courage and the power to help them walk out saying, ‘I’ve got this,’ simply because someone finally believed in them. Even failure can become a chance to grow. That kind of encouragement is exactly what Dr. King modeled, and it’s the kind of servant leadership that can change a student’s life.”

The lecture was open to the public and accessible across all six Southeast campuses through in-person attendance and live viewing locations.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Rian Johnson, SKCTC dean of institutional advancement and public relations, emphasizing the power of reflection, dialogue and shared purpose in educational spaces.