By: Judy Leonard
Director of Advancement

"A decision is made with the brain. A commitment is made with the heart". - Nido Qubein

Because of Love for Southeast, the family portion of the Fulfilling the Promise Campaign was the theme of a "kick off" event for Southeast Community College campaign leadership held on Monday, Feb. 23, at the Benham School House Inn.

Approximately 40 faculty/staff in key leadership roles along with President Bruce Ayers; Campaign Chairman, Rayburn Doss; Bell County Chairman, Bob Vaughn; Harlan County Chairperson, Sandy Miller; and Letcher County Chairman, Carl Banks showed up to share "love" stories and to celebrate the "kick off" of SECC's Fulfilling the Promise Campaign. They were joined by Honorary Campaign Chairs, Nicey Hazen, Penny Ritter and Helen Smith. Dr. Meredith Evans, Honorary Chairman for Bell County, was out of town and was therefore unable to attend.

Beginning promptly at 5 o'clock, Dr. Ayers welcomed the group, showed the campaign video and discussed campaign initiatives. Then, Dr. Ayers proceeded to invite various members of the audience to step up to the microphone to share "love" stories about Southeast.

Ruth Lewis from the Cumberland Campus began her testimony by sharing that she and all three of her siblings had attended Southeast. Ruth related that both her niece and nephew transferred to the University of Kentucky and graduated with honors after attending Southeast. Ruth said that her niece has now completed medical school and is a resident physician in surgery. Then, Ruth made her pledge and ended her testimony by saying, "Open your hearts, your purses and your wallets for the Fulfilling the Promise Campaign".



Representing the Harlan Campus was Mary Medlar who described "love" and "family" in terms of her fellow co-workers at Southeast. Mary called the sense of "family" at Southeast the "common thread" of the five campuses. Mary reminded the audience that expanding one's family is a part of life and that "growing pains" are natural. Mary then stated, "Families often must face lean times" (like those we now face). Mary ended her remarks by encouraging all to "look in their hearts and dig into their pockets."

Dr. Steve Nycum stepped up to the podium to share from his heart about Southeast as he represented the Middlesboro and Pineville campuses. Dr. Nycum asked, "How many lives have been affected, how many families have changed because of Southeast Community College?" Dr. Nycum revealed that he had made a decision to pledge to the campaign last fall before the budget crunch.

Roland Pee Wee' Cornett, Coordinator of the Ready-To-Work Program at SECC, spoke next boasting 369 reasons to "love Southeast". Roland was referring to the 369 students  mostly single mothers  who have come through the RTW Program trying to get off welfare with Southeast's help. Roland said, "These people have the same dream that you and I have for a nice home, a car and good things for their children. They cannot go away to school, they cannot leave the area, and they have five years to get off welfare. After five years (at SECC) they have an education. Southeast gives them the opportunity to achieve their dreams."

Speaking on behalf of the Whitesburg Campus, Peggy Conklin told the audience, "I enjoy coming to work (at Southeast) every single day. I have never worked in a place where I've felt as valued as I have at Southeast. The students are so appreciative - so happy to have the opportunity to attend college. We provide education for students who probably would have never had the opportunity if it had not been for Southeast. It is a privilege to work where I make a difference!"

Other community volunteers (see the companion story entitled, LEADERSHIP THE PROMISE OF SUCCESS) followed the campus volunteers to the podium to state their firm support for the Fulfilling the Promise Campaign at Southeast Community College. In fact, Dr. Ayers brought the in-house "kick off" to a close by saying that the testimonies of "love" for Southeast were so good that they could have easily replaced his "opening" remarks!

As the family portion of the campaign continues, the Office of Resource Development at SECC along with Dr. Ayers and Dr. Jim Selby, the Clements Group Consultant, will be seeking "decisions made with the brain and commitments made with the heart" from friends and family in the communities served by Southeast.

If you have not yet made your commitment, IT IS NOT TOO LATE to fulfill the promise.

Dr. Ayers likes to remind us that "after all we are in this together"!