Super Sunday Hall of Fame - Raul Urias

KCTCS 2013 Super Sunday Hall of Fame Inductees - For Raul Urias, returning to college at the Pikeville Campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) fulfilled a journey he began 11 years earlier, leading to an associate degree in industrial maintenance and a new career option.

Born in Anchorage, Alaska, Mr. Urias grew up on the Fort Richardson Army base where his mom was stationed. After graduating from high school in 1997 he enrolled in Prestonsburg Community College but veered off of the educational path. He was encouraged by his wife of 10 years to return to school, complete his degree and be a role model for their nine year-old daughter.

Mr. Urias praises BSCTC faculty and staff for his wonderful postsecondary educational experience. He says they guided him in a direction he needed in order to succeed and accomplish his goals. "I had one instructor, Mr. Charles K. Moore, who went above and beyond and he is a cherished friend now. The Karate Club and Christian Student Union (C.S.U.) also helped me in so many ways to not just develop my mind, but also my body and soul."

Support from BSCTC gave Mr. Urias the confidence he needed to pursue a field outside his degree. He is now a Corrections Officer/Deputy Jailer for the Pike County Detention Center. Mr. Urias plans to pursue his lifelong ambition to earn an associate degree in criminal justice. He keeps a simple philosophy in mind for every situation... "It's like a recipe. You may like some ingredients better than others, but all ingredients are needed. This is proof the road of life will lead you down different paths, but with hard work everything will fall in place."