麻豆短视频传媒 honored its ninth president, Rufus B. Atwood, at the 2023 Atwood Day Assembly on March 28. Education Program Specialist Dr. Bryan D. Hale 鈥97 provided the keynote address, focusing on preparation, passion, and purpose.
鈥淎twood was a KSU giant who took firm hold of his destiny and created a place where living in your preparation, your passion, and your purpose bears limitless expectations,鈥 Hale declared of KSU鈥檚 longest-serving president.
鈥淚n spite of the formidable circumstances of the times, Atwood set high standards, persevered, and ushered Kentucky State into prominence with the authority of preparation, authority of passion, and the authority of purpose.鈥
Atwood served as president of Kentucky State College from 1929 to 1962. Among the numerous highlights of his career, Atwood improved educational opportunities for African Americans, brought full accreditation to Kentucky State, and led the battle for desegregated education in Kentucky in the 1940s.
A critical component of success is preparation Hale shared quoting an unknown scholar who said you must, 鈥淪tay ready so you don鈥檛 have to get ready.鈥
鈥淧reparation is the action or process for making something ready for use, service, or of getting ready for some occasion. That preparation positions you for opportunities.鈥
Hale continued, encouraging students to begin their journey of preparation to find their passion asking, 鈥淗ave you discovered your passion?鈥
鈥淲e need each of you to not settle until you鈥檝e discovered your passion. We cannot afford not one to walk aimlessly through life. We owe a debt to our ancestors and we are accountable to generations to come.鈥
Speaking to purpose, Hale shared a definition that is most meaningful and impactful to him.
鈥淧urpose is your personally or spiritually derived authentic set of life aims that guides your behavior, pulls you forward into the future, and gives meaning to life,鈥 he shared. 鈥淚 love the notion that purpose pulls you into the future. It is always guiding, nurturing, in motion and it does not allow stagnation. Purpose can shape goals, guide life鈥檚 decisions, and offer a sense of direction.鈥
Hale concluded his address urging all Thorobreds to, 鈥淭rust in your preparation. Believe in your passion. Fulfill your purpose to reclaim your authority to enable your intended and desired future.鈥