Southeast Celebrates Four Scholarship Recipients During Scholarship Signing Day

Published on Jun 11, 2026

Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College (SKCTC) celebrated four outstanding local students during its Scholarship Signing Day on June 11, recognizing recipients of the Middlesboro Alumni & Friends Association Scholarship and the Mike Bowling Memorial Scholarship.

The event brought together scholarship donors, family members, community leaders, faculty, staff, and supporters to celebrate students whose academic achievement, leadership, perseverance, and commitment to their future earned them scholarship support.

"Today is a celebration of achievement, perseverance, and generosity," said Rian Johnson, dean of advancement and public relations at SKCTC. "When communities invest in students, lives are changed, futures are strengthened, and our region becomes stronger."

The Middlesboro Alumni & Friends Association Scholarship was awarded to Aubrey Bailey Hatfield, a 2026 graduate of Middlesboro High School who plans to attend Southeast this fall and pursue an associate in science degree. Hatfield served as president of DECA, participated in the National Honor Society and Beta Club, completed dual credit coursework through Southeast, and demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership, academics, and community service throughout high school.

Cathy Brock, Lisa Schneider, and Scott Ballard represented the Middlesboro Alumni & Friends Association during the ceremony, presenting the scholarship and celebrating the accomplishments of this year's recipient.

"Community colleges change lives because they meet students where they are and help them reach where they want to go," Ballard said. "We are incredibly proud to support these students through this scholarship and help them take the next step toward achieving their goals."

The Mike Bowling Memorial Scholarship was awarded to three students: Haven Branham of Middlesboro High School, Addison Seigler of Bell County High School, and Emily Rose of Bell County High School.

Established in memory of the late Mike Bowling, the scholarship honors his legacy as an attorney, state representative, and tireless advocate for the people of Southeastern Kentucky. The scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated perseverance, resilience, and determination in overcoming obstacles while pursuing their educational goals.

Branham earned 30 hours of dual credit coursework while in high school and distinguished herself through leadership roles in National Honor Society, Beta Club, JROTC, and Academic Team. Seigler balanced academics, employment, athletics, and college coursework while preparing to pursue a degree in Radiography at Southeast. Rose excelled academically while participating in athletics, leadership activities, volunteer service, and dual credit coursework, maintaining a strong commitment to both education and community involvement.

During the ceremony, Jamie Bowling reflected on her late husband's belief in the transformative power of education.

"Mike believed education was one of the most powerful tools a person could have," Bowling said. "An ROTC scholarship opened doors for him that otherwise might not have been possible, and he never forgot that. He believed education creates opportunity, strengthens families, and transforms communities. These students have the opportunity to change not only their own lives, but the lives of future generations."

The ceremony concluded with scholarship recipients accepting the award alongside donors and family members, symbolizing the partnership between community supporters and students pursuing higher education.

"To our students, today is more than the acceptance of a scholarship," Johnson said. "It is a recognition of your hard work, perseverance, and commitment to your future. Each of you has earned this opportunity, and we are proud of your accomplishments. We look forward to seeing the impact you will make on your communities in the years ahead."

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