Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education president received the Betty and David Jones, Sr. Legacy Award from Simmons College of Kentucky

March 05, 2024

The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education's president, Dr. Aaron Thompson, received the Betty and David Jones, Sr. Legacy Award from Simmons College of Kentucky during its Transform Louisville breakfast at Louisville Central Community Center.

“I’m honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award. I feel called to do the work necessary to advance the Commonwealth by closing gaps so that all students have access to the great equalizer – a high quality education,” Dr. Thompson said. “I look forward to the continued growth of Simmons College and the transformation of Louisville.”

Presented by Rev. Dr. Kevin W. Cosby, president of Simmons, the award recognizes Thompson’s commitment to education.

“Betty and David Jones, Sr. were committed to education for every community in our Commonwealth. Growing up in West Louisville, he never forgot about his roots and remained, throughout his life, committed to the diversity of opportunities,” Cosby said. “Just like Betty and David Jones, Sr., Dr. Thompson has maintained the same commitment to education in our community. Without the passion, vision, counsel and support of Dr. Thompson, Simmons College of Kentucky would not have emerged as the comeback Historically Black College and University (HBCU) of America.”

Thompson provided the keynote address and shared his humble beginnings, provided an overview of higher education in Kentucky and reminded audience members not to be quiet when it’s time to speak up and to help those in need to eliminate disparity.

David Jones, Jr., son of Betty and David Jones, Sr., attended the event and co-presented the award to Dr. Thompson.

“My parents would have been so pleased with this year’s Transform Louisville event: The powerful student voices, the strong community support, and the wonderful choice of Dr. Thompson as honoree,” Jones, Jr., said. “His description of how education changed his life, his optimism in reminding us how far Kentucky has come in educating its students, and his clarion reminder of how far we still have to go, stirred my spirit.”