Education

Owensboro Public Schools didn’t have to go far to find the new chief of its city school system. Nick Brake, president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation, has signed a four-year contract to lead Owensboro Public Schools.

The Messenger-Inquirer reports Brake will earn an initial annual salary of $144,000.

Current Owensboro schools superintendent Larry Vick will serve his last day on the job June 30.

The First Lady urged  the students at Eastern Kentucky University to apply the same resilience and hard work in school to their lives beyond campus and to seek out people with different beliefs.

Mrs. Obama paid tribute to more than 600 graduates Saturday night in a commencement ceremony at the school. She received a warm welcome from several thousand attending the ceremony at the campus arena in Richmond. She said that the work ethic and resilience that got the students to graduation day will serve them well as they face life's ups and downs.

Owensboro's Kentucky Wesleyan College says it will begin offering four-year graduation guarantees to incoming freshmen this fall. The school also plans to offer a three-year degree option.

KWC director of admissions Rashad Smith told the Messenger-Inquirer that the college will pay for up to one year of additional coursework for students who don't graduate within four years. He said the program is being launched to foster lasting, helpful relationships with students in the beginning of their college experience.