WELL& JOURNAL

 BY WALLACE CALEB BATES Pensacola, Florida, is easily the best beach I have ever visited. I spent time catching up on my reading, resting, and lounging at the beach. I visited Mississippi for the first time and stamped another park off my National Parks Service passport.   Each vacation I go on is unique and full of excitement. Our building was evacuated on Tuesday night, and we had to help Papaw William — whose mobility is limited due to a stroke last year — down 12 flights of steps. Fortunately, the all-clear came in a few minutes.   Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Here is to our east Kentucky home and my return to normalcy.

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES Some days, the stories flow. Other days, they sit somewhere between my mind and my heart, waiting for the right moment to rise. This is one of those “other” days. I do not have much to say right now, not because I do not care, not because nothing is happening, but because I want to do justice to the unfolding words.  The writing will come soon. I can feel it building. In the meantime, thank you for sticking around, reading, and waiting with me. More is coming soon.

 BY WALLACE CALEB BATES When I was younger, I thought adulthood would be all about freedom. And in many ways, it is. There is something powerful about having self-autonomy, about making your own choices and carving your path. But what I did not expect was the pressure we place on ourselves to finish the degree, excel at work, and show up strong every single day. Sometimes, that weight is heavy, even when we love the work we are doing. Today, I rode with the windows down and the sunroof open, letting the breeze roll through like a reminder. I read a few pages of my latest book, napped, and rested, and it hit me again that we have to find time for both. We must pursue excellence, take care of business, and enjoy the freedom we once imagined. We have to live, we have to breathe, and we must remember that life is not only about the to-do list. Work hard, be proud, but remember to live while you are at it.

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES There is a special kind of joy that comes from simply being with people you love, with no big agenda. No performance. Just shared stories, honest laughter, and the comfort of knowing you are fully known and still fully welcomed. These are the moments that steady us. The ones that remind us what matters most. It is not always about the place or the plan.  Sometimes, it is just about the people — and the peace that comes when you can truly exhale in their presence. I do not take that for granted. Not one bit.

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES Today, I learned that the sand along much of the southern East Coast, from the Carolinas all the way down to Florida, actually came from the Appalachian Mountains. Over millions of years, it eroded, flowed downriver, and settled quietly into the coastlines. And I had to laugh, because of course it did. Of course the mountains gave us that, too. It is just one more example of how Appalachia, this place that so many people overlook, has quietly built the very bones of this country. Our coal fueled cities, our timber raised homes, and our music shaped the soul of this nation. It makes me think about how God works. Slow. Intentional. Unseen, most of the time. The rivers never stop moving. The land keeps giving. And whether people recognize the source or not, they are still standing on it. Benefiting from it. Resting in it.

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES I have been thinking a lot today about what it means to overcome division. Not just to tolerate people, but to truly see and hear one another across difference. That word, division, gets used a lot these days. And it is real. I can feel it in our politics, in our churches, and in our families. But I believe with everything in me that our communities are stronger when we choose to see the good in each other, even when we do not agree. Empathy is not pretending everyone is right. It is not staying silent or covering up the truth. Empathy is remembering that every person you meet carries a story you do not know and a soul that God still loves. I come from a long line of folks who believed in the power of a front porch, a strong cup of coffee, and a little time. They knew that when you hear someone’s story, it changes you. It softens something that division tries to harden. That is what keeps me going every day. Creating space for people to be heard. Reminding folks ...

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES I am overjoyed to begin my tenure as the second-ever Director of Marketing & Communications at Hazard Community & Technical College. To say this is a full-circle moment feels like an understatement. I was 18 when I walked across the stage as a graduate of HCTC. At the time, I never could have imagined that, just a few years later, I would be stepping into this role. I walk into this position with a deep sense of purpose and gratitude. I am humbled by the trust of President/CEO Dr. Jennifer Lindon, our college administrators, faculty, staff, students, community members, and my fellow team members in our Department of Marketing and Communications. I consider it a sacred honor to help shape the story of this institution, one that has influenced so much of my own. I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to Delcie Combs, our outgoing director, my mentor, and a dear friend. Delcie has poured over three decades into this college, and much of who I am as a com...

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES Coal miners, farmers, nurses, lawyers, doctors and teachers pried doors open and held them, believing this place and this world had room for more. Generations of Appalachian youth will walk through because they did.

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES I join Kentucky's education community in congratulating Dr. Jason Glass, the next superintendent of Laguna Beach (California) Unified School District. Dr. Glass has played a pivotal role in my academic, personal, and professional development. He is a passionate champion for those he leads, and I was fortunate to learn from him both as a student and employee at the Kentucky Department of Education. Neatly enough, his teaching career began at Hazard High School, just down the road from my office. His impact on our state continues to make a difference in the lives of Kentucky's students. Dr. Glass, Laguna Beach and California are blessed to have you!

 BY WALLACE CALEB BATES I spent a good portion of my time writing today, and it felt really nice. As part of my role in marketing and communications, a significant portion of my recent work has involved strategic planning, graphic design, and invoice management.  I genuinely love what I do, and I appreciate nothing more than crossing items off my to-do list. But days like today, during which I return to my roots as a writer, remind me of why I entered this career field in the first place.  The feature stories and press releases I craft are more than just informative pieces; they represent the best our region has to offer: dedicated professionals, trailblazing students, innovative thinkers, community collaborators, and more.  I have been fortunate in my career to work with both elderly populations and young learners and to, enter K-12 classrooms and attend graduate-level events. As a mentor of mine once told me, education is a lifelong pursuit.  That truth has ne...

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES Strategy is what turns good intentions into tangible outcomes. It is how we move from dreaming to doing.  Without a plan, even the best ideas can fall apart or fade away. Strategy brings focus to leadership, communication, and daily life. It helps us decide what matters most, what needs our attention, and what can wait. A strong strategy asks clear questions. What are we doing? Why does it matter? Who is it for? What do we have to work with?  It keeps us from chasing everything all at once. It brings calm when things get busy. It gives direction when things feel uncertain. Strategy is not about being fancy. It is about being faithful to the goal. It helps us lead with purpose, not pressure. It keeps us steady and sure-footed, no matter what comes.

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES A good attitude reflects the heart of Christ. When we choose joy, patience, and humility, we honor God in both our words and actions. Scripture reminds us that we are called to do all things without grumbling or complaining, so that we may shine as lights in the world. A faithful attitude does not depend on perfect circumstances but rests in the peace and purpose God provides. It strengthens our witness, builds unity, and draws others toward hope.

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES Washington, D.C. will mark the beginning of a new chapter in my professional journey, as I join the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) 2025–2026 Leadership Institute. I am honored to participate alongside a national cohort of community college leaders who are committed to advancing student success and institutional excellence. Although this opportunity begins in our nation’s capital, my story starts in eastern Kentucky. I was raised in a holler where faith, family, and hard work shaped everything we understood about purpose. I carry with me the perspective of those who came before me: veterans who served with honor, agriculturalists who cultivated both soil and community, and coal miners who worked beneath the surface so that future generations might rise. Their sacrifices are not distant history to me. They are the foundation I stand on and the compass I carry. I do not seek leadership for its own sake. I desire to serve others more e...

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES Earlier today, I found myself reflecting on the power of our individual lived experiences. In my role in marketing and communications at a rural community college, I witness this power from a unique vantage point each day. We are a gathering place for people from all walks of life: recent high school graduates, middle-aged parents, and senior citizens. We bring together those who love English literature and those who are training to become electricians, welders, or carpenters. Each story is different, but each one matters. For generations, a harmful stigma has lingered. There has been a belief that the educational opportunities offered in our local communities do not provide the same level of knowledge, mobility, or skill as those available elsewhere. That belief is not true. In reality, community colleges play a critical role in rural communities and the broader fabric of our nation. Faculty members prepare the next generation of K-12 educators, allowing communi...

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES I am going to bed earlier tonight. Not because I am tired, but because rest feels like a kind choice. The day did what it could. Now it is time to let the quiet do its work. The hum of my fan is steady. My pillow is soft and familiar. Tomorrow is waiting, and I will be glad to meet it.

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES The words are not coming tonight. I have searched for them, but they remain distant and silent. Perhaps they will return when morning comes.

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES The right side of history bends toward justice, and I want to be found on that side every time. Not because I have all the answers. Not because I get everything right. But because I believe with all my heart that the Gospel was never meant to be a weapon. It was intended to be good news. I do not believe it is my job to judge the sinner or the saint. That is God’s job. God sees every heart. God knows every story. And I trust Him to do what is right. As for me, I have enough in my own life to keep me humbled and remind me daily of how much grace I need. I am not going to waste my energy deciding who is worthy of love; I am going to give it freely. Because people are hurting quietly and deeply, and sometimes, all it takes is one cruel word, one moment of rejection, to send someone further into the shadows.  I do not want to be the voice that silences them. I want to be the one that says, “You still belong. You still matter. You are still loved.” My faith calls ...

 BY WALLACE CALEB BATES Nearly three years ago, Audrie Lamb offered to share her cubicle with me at the Kentucky Department of Education. We grew together as communicators and friends. We once discussed our aspirations of working in higher education — nothing more than a simple conversation. Today, we came full circle as we convened alongside marketing and communications professionals from postsecondary institutions across the Commonwealth. We may not work together directly anymore, but I often reflect on the lessons we learned together on Sower Blvd. and in K-12 schools across Kentucky. You cannot make old friends.

 BY WALLACE CALEB BATES This afternoon, I attended a Class of 2025 high school graduation, an event marked by songs from seniors, memories shared by speakers, and inspirational reflections on the years this class spent in high school.  It feels like yesterday that I graduated from high school. Now, with my master's degree and a "real" job, I feel so disconnected from that time in my life. That is not necessarily a bad thing; it is a reflection of the way we grow and mature as we feel the heavy hand of time.  There are many lessons I would tell my younger self at that point if given the opportunity.  A.) Life is too short to spend it worried about what people think about you.  B.) Your matter is not determined by the way people treat you.  C.) You are perfect just the way you are, and there are no questions about that.  ... and I could go on, but I will not. I am not alone in thinking about these things; if given the opportunity, the majority of people ...