[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 82 (Tuesday, June 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DR. BRUCE AYERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 11, 2013

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
long-time friend and tremendous leader in Kentucky, Dr. Bruce Ayers 
upon his retirement as President of the Southeast Kentucky Community 
and Technical College.
   Dr. Bruce Ayers is arguably one of the most brilliant educators and 
dedicated businessmen in Kentucky. He understands the value of forging 
new partnerships, expanding educational opportunities, and mentoring 
young leaders. He is also an avid ambassador for our beautiful region, 
promoting our rich culture and heritage with every opportunity.
   Dr. Ayers enjoys explaining how he ``grew up'' at Southeast, 
spending nearly a half-century at the institution. After bravely 
serving in the U.S. Marine Corps with a deployment at Guantanamo Bay, 
Bruce became a student at what used to be the Southeast Center of the 
University of Kentucky in Cumberland. He quickly displayed leadership 
qualities by helping to establish the college's award-winning 
newspaper, The Southeasterner, before moving on to the University of 
Kentucky in Lexington. After earning his Master's degree, Bruce 
immediately returned to Southeast as a faculty member and worked 
diligently to become the 8th President of SKCTC in 1987.
   With Dr. Ayers at the helm of his alma mater, Southeast has grown 
from a small campus with 1,100 students to well over 5,000 students 
spanning five cities with individual campuses. With his vision and 
compassion to help others succeed, the college established a Nursing 
School, the Kentucky Coal Academy, the Pine Mountain Development 
Corporation, and multiple outreach programs for younger students, 
beginning in elementary school. Most recently, he has worked tirelessly 
to help laid-off coal miners get the education they need to pursue 
alternative careers in the midst of economic struggles in our 
Appalachian coalfields.
   Dr. Ayers' exemplary leadership has earned national recognition. He 
is the founding chair of the Rural Community College Alliance; he 
served as an adjunct member on the graduate faculty of the Department 
of Instructional Systems, Leadership, and Workforce Development at 
Mississippi State University; and served as a local advisor for 
students pursuing a PhD in Community College Leadership through MSU. 
Additionally, under his leadership, the Aspen Institute selected SKCTC 
as one of the top ten community colleges in the nation earlier this 
year.
   While his excellence in education has largely defined his career, 
Dr. Ayers' footprint extends far beyond the Southeast campuses, through 
his tireless community service efforts in the tri-city area of Harlan 
County and our entire region. Dr. Ayers has been a huge advocate for 
non-profit, grassroots programs like our region's tourism initiative, 
TOUR Southern and Eastern Kentucky; the environmental cleanup campaign, 
Eastern Kentucky PRIDE; and the holistic anti-drug program, Operation 
UNITE. I believe he spends each day trying to find a way to give more 
back to the region he calls home. He is truly a difference maker.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring my friend 
and a true inspiration, Dr. Bruce Ayers on his retirement. I wish Bruce 
and his wife, Barbara all the best in the years to come.

                          ____________________