Local students among 29 graduating from Center for Rural Development’s 2019 Rogers Explorers

First graduating class from program of seven

held on Asbury University’s campus

Twenty-nine students from Southern and Eastern Kentucky graduated from the first class of The Center for Rural Development’s 2019 Rogers Explorers program held June 2-4 on the campus of Asbury University.

Rogers Explorers is open to eighth-grade middle school students within The Center’s 45-county primary service area who have a strong interest in developing their skills in leadership, team building, community service, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields of study.

“Rogers Explorers was an experience I will never forget,” said Laci Baldwin of Casey County. “I made new friends and learned so much about leadership, communicating, and, most importantly, I had fun. From listening to NASA presentations to navigating through rope courses, Rogers Explorers was one of the best experiences ever.”

The Center selected a total of 211 students from throughout the region to attend this year’s Rogers Explorers program.
Participants spend three days and two nights on a leading Kentucky college campus where experts guide them through hands-on assignments to help build their leadership skills and explore difference career pathways.

“For most of these students, this is the first time they will experience life on a college campus setting and to seriously begin thinking about different career choices before they enter their freshman year in high school,” said Lonnie Lawson, President and CEO of The Center. “We want to give students the knowledge and tools they need to discover their career pathways and to plan for the future. Congratulations to all of our Rogers Explorers graduates.”

The following local students graduated from the Rogers Explorers program at Asbury University: Corbin Middle School—Kaiden Walden and Grace Gibson; and Williamsburg Independent School—Robel Schwarz.

The Rogers Explorers program is presented by The Center in partnership with Asbury University, Lindsey Wilson College, University of the Cumberlands, Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, the University of Pikeville, and Union College. The program is provided tuition-free to applicants who meet the eligibility requirements.

For more information about Rogers Explorers, call 606-677-6000 or email Allison Cross at across@centertech.com. Visit centeryouthprograms.com to learn more about the program.