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WKCTC Education Express Tour Makes Sixth Stop in Murray, Calloway County

by Justin Jones

Paducah, KY (05/05/2025) — West Kentucky Community and Technical College made the sixth stop of its "Your Community, Your College, Your Future" Education Express tour May 1 at the Murray/Calloway County Area Technology Center.

More than 20 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 across the region.

Launched under the leadership of WKCTC President Anton Reece, the Education Express tour aims to celebrate education and honor local leaders, educators, students, businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout western Kentucky.

"We argue and we contend that the proposition is simple," Reece said. "We, at half the cost compared to a four year college, at half the class size, at twice the level of preparation, know that students who come to us-we get them directly to work, we get them there better, at a higher quality and better prepared."

WKCTC staff at the event emphasized the college's role in workforce development and regional economic growth. Certificates of recognition were presented to:

  • Coy Samons, Murray Independent Schools superintendent
  • Tres Settle, Calloway County Schools superintendent
  • Bob Rodgers, mayor of Murray
  • Kenny Imes, Calloway County judge-executive
  • Gina Winchester, Calloway County deputy judge-executive
  • Dan Hicks, principal of the Murray/Calloway County Area Technology Center

"Certainly I don't think I could overemphasize the need for skill and technical knowledge in our workforce today," Imes said. "I think we all see about every business and government entity wanting to hire. Those skills and knowledge will help get you there."

Samons highlighted the value of technical education. "We are very proud of what we're doing here at our Area Technology Center," he said. "We are dedicated and try to provide students with opportunities to be successful in the next phase of life."

Settle echoed the importance of educational partnerships. "We are very proud of our partnership and blessed that we have this resource so close to us to serve our students," he said. "We are on the precipice in this country of rebuilding our infrastructure and these programs are vital for that workforce development."

Dr. Vanessa Lyons, associate professor at WKCTC and a second-generation graduate, shared her personal connection to the college and her journey growing up in Murray.

"I grew up in a very low-income home," Lyons said. "My mother was raising us as a single parent with three children. She returned to school-back when it was Paducah Community College-and completed the nursing program."

Lyons praised the support her family received from PCC faculty. "There were times it wasn't what's for dinner, but are we having dinner?'" she said. "The faculty at PCC brought us Thanksgiving dinner. They adopted us at Christmas and gave us gifts."

The Education Express tour continues this month with two more stops:

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 join the ongoing conversation about the future of education in the region.

About WKCTC West Kentucky Community and Technical College, a member of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, provides accessible, high-quality education and workforce training. The college 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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