WKCTC Education Express Tour Makes Fifth Stop in Ballard and Carlisle County
Paducah, KY (05/01/2025) — West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) made the fifth stop of its regional "Your Community, Your College, Your Future" Education Express tour April 29 at the Ballard County High School.
Students, parents and community leaders attended the event, which offered an opportunity to engage with WKCTC faculty and staff and discuss the value of education in the region.
The Education Express tour is the vision of WKCTC President Anton Reece and is designed to celebrate education while honoring local leaders, educators, students, businesses and nonprofit organizations across western Kentucky.
"West Kentucky Community and Technical College really is a unique place with unique ties to Ballard, Barlow, Carlisle and this entire region," Reece said. "We want to continue building on those partnerships certainly as well."
During the event, WKCTC staff highlighted the critical role of education in workforce development and economic growth. Certificates of recognition were presented to Ballard County Schools Superintendent Casey Allen, Carlisle County Schools Superintendent Tom Radivonyk, City of Barlow Mayor Peggy Meriedeth and Ballard County Judge-Executive Todd Cooper.
"I'm a 1986 graduate from WKCTC, I got an associates degree and then I moved up to the University of Louisville and received my bachelor's degree," Ballard County Judge-Executive Todd Cooper said. "WKCTC is very near and dear to my heart with a lot of fond memories."
"In education we are partners and there is no greater way to grow our communities than through education," said Carlisle County Superintendent Tom Radivonyk. "The work we do together is so critical to moving us forward beyond the 21st century."
Eric Engelland, a resident of Ballard County and the Dean of Applied Technologies compared a neighbor's small act of kindness to the mission of WKCTC. "It was a gesture of generosity that truly lifted my spirits," he said. "I think it reflects the true character of our community in Ballard and Carlisle County. Neighbors looking out for one another and going the extra mile. That is the same spirit of support and service that we aim to bring at WKCTC through our work."
WKCTC Nursing Program Coordinator, Dr. Kristy Bell is a native of Ballard County. Bell spoke on how both Ballard County and WKCTC changed her life and the life of her children. "I was a student of WKCTC. I came as a non-traditional student after being an LPN for 11 years," said Bell. "One day I decided I was going back to school and got accepted into the registered nurse program, that changed my life."
The Education Express tour continues this spring with four additional stops:
May 1 - Murray/Calloway County Area Technology Center, 126 Robertson Road North, Murray, Kentucky, 4-6 p.m.
May 6 - Pontotoc Civic Center, 112 E. State Line St., Fulton, Kentucky (serving Fulton and Hickman counties), 4-6 p.m.
May 15 - Pope County High School Community Room, 125 State Highway 146 West, Golconda, Illinois, 4-6 p.m.
WKCTC encourages community members, educators, students and business leaders to attend and take part in ongoing conversations about the future of education in the region.
About West Kentucky Community and Technical College: West Kentucky Community and Technical College, a member of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, provides accessible, high-quality education and workforce training. WKCTC is committed to regional economic development and fostering individual and community success.
Media Contact: Whitney Walker Director of Marketing and Communications Cell: 270-519-3199 Email: whitney.walker@kctcs.edu
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