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Kentucky State University honored the past and looked to the future recently during the 2022 Heritage Assembly. 

Rev. Dr. Kilen Gray, dean of community life at Louisville Presbyterian, provided the Heritage Assembly address.

“If it wasn’t for Kentucky State University, I sincerely believe I would not be here today,” Gray said. “More emphatically, I literally cannot see what my life would be like. The trajectory of my life and everything that you have just heard that I accomplished, started on the steps of Kentucky Hall. On the steps of Kentucky Hall is where I met my college sweetheart, Rev. Cassandra Harris-Gray.” 

Their story, Gray said, was not unique. 

“Kentucky State has been writing life stories of this sort for countless people since its founding in 1886,” Gray said. 

There hasn’t been a moment in its history, Gray said, that Kentucky State hasn’t had to fight for survival. 

“What should never be forgotten or ignored is that Kentucky State University’s persistent life-giving culture has perennially been implemented within the constant larger context of threat, opposition, hatred,  indifference and animus,” Gray said. “There has not been one moment in K-State’s history where this institution has not had to fight for respect and equity among other institutions of higher education. Such is the case for anything Black in this country.”

Kentucky State helped instill and model how to fight for respect and equity, Gray said. 

“What K-State provided for us, consonant of all HBCUs in our nation, is a sacred space of welcome, affirmation, encouragement, love, inspiration, grace and acceptance needed to resist the mental, emotional and spiritual vestiges of oppression and Black hatred that debilitate the hopes and dreams of countless individuals who live outside the blessing of this privilege,” Gray said. 

Farrad Lyle-Muhammad, president of the Nation of Islam Student Association, also provided remarks at the assembly. 

“This great facility, this great institution, this university, is our home,” Lyle-Muhammad said. “This is our institution. We are Kentucky State University. No matter what other people have to say, greatness is bred here.” 

Kentucky State University Acting President Clara Ross Stamps brought a message of hope for the future of the institution. 

“There is still hope on the Hill, for we know we are our ancestors greatest dream and we will make that dream a reality,” President Stamps said. 

President Stamps presented the 2022 Heritage Awards. 

Mary T. Fields received the Academic Heritage Award. This award is granted by the University to an individual/organization who has made significant contributions to the academic heritage of Kentucky State University. 

Thorn Hill Education Center in Frankfort received the Access Heritage Award. This award is granted by the University to an individual/organization who has made significant contributions to the equal educational opportunity and institutional access heritage of Kentucky State University. 

Dr. Marion F. Simon received the Agricultural Heritage Award. This award is granted by the University to an individual/organization who has made significant contributions to the agricultural heritage of Kentucky State University.

Leon D. Slatter received the Athletic Heritage Award. This award is granted by the University to an individual/organization who has made significant contributions to the athletic heritage of Kentucky State University.