Superintendent Dr. Ralph W. Hamilton visits MSU AFE Scholars
Morehead State University alumnus Dr. Ralph W. Hamilton (Class of 2009, 2011, 2018), superintendent of Morgan County Public Schools, recently visited with Appalachian Future Educators (AFE) and other MSU education students, faculty and staff.
The event was sponsored by the Appalachian Future Educators Scholarship Program and the Appalachian Regional Education Hub in MSU's Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education. It was made possible with funding from a Catalyst Grant from the Rural Schools Collaborative.
Hamilton is a three-time graduate from MSU, earning a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 2009, a master's degree in school administration in 2011 and a doctorate in educational leadership in 2018. He discussed the challenges, demands and rewards of being a rural educator and shared essential traits for successful educators and emphasized the importance of being lifelong learners and being committed to student success.
"Morehead State University's Volgenau College of Education is committed to providing meaningful opportunities such as this for our teacher education students," said Dr. Chris Beckham, professor of education and AFE Scholarship Program director. "Superintendent Hamilton was very generous with his time and the AFE Scholars really appreciated what he had to say."
The AFE Scholars Program Scholars Program provides scholarships, support and mentorship for students from Eastern Kentucky interested in teaching. The program aims to enhance the pipeline of qualified educators and educational leaders returning to the 22 counties in MSU's historical service region. Through this program, the Volgenau College of Education is strengthening partnerships with school districts in identifying, recruiting and mentoring students from the area so they can return and give back to their home communities as rural educational leaders.
For more information about the event, the AFE Scholars Program, or the Appalachian Regional Education Hub, please contact the Dean of the Volgenau College of Education Dr. April Miller at ad.miller@moreheadstate.edu, AFE Program Director Dr. Christopher Beckham at c.beckham@moreheadstate.edu or Dr. Shane Shope, associate professor of education, at s.shope@moreheadstate.edu.
For more information on programs in MSU's Volgenau College of Education, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/education, email admiller@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2162.
Photo: Dr. Ralph W. Hamilton (Class of 2009, 2011, 2018, pictured center), superintendent of Morgan County Public Schools, visited with members of MSU's Appalachian Future Educators Scholars Program.
