Applications accepted through March 21

More middle school students in Southern and Eastern Kentucky than ever before will be able to experience life on a college campus this summer-all while pursuing their math, science, and technology skills-through The Center for Rural Development's Rogers Explorers youth leadership program.

The Center is expanding this year's Rogers Explorers program to include an
additional summer session from July 22-24 on the campus of Morehead State University
(MSU) in Rowan County.

The additional host site will allow a record 120 rising ninth-grade students to
attend one of four Rogers Explorers summer sessions and start their journey toward
building careers in some of the region's top in-demand fields.

Other 2012 Rogers Explorers sessions are scheduled for:


  *   June 3-5, Lindsey Wilson College, Columbia
  *   June 6-8, University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg
  *   July 18-20, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), Richmond

Current eighth-grade students from within The Center's 42-county primary service
area are eligible to apply for Rogers Explorers. Applications for the 2012 Rogers
Explorers summer sessions at all four participating college campuses will be
accepted through March 21.

For more information on Rogers Explorers, call 606-677-6000, or download an
application online at http://crdev.us/explorers2012.

All application forms must be printed, completed, postmarked and mailed to The
Center, 2292 South U.S. 27, Suite 300, Somerset, Ky., by the March 21 deadline.

"Rogers Explorers gives students a one-of-a-kind learning experience to see what it
is like to live and study on a college campus and work toward pursuing their career
goals," said Lonnie Lawson, CEO and president of The Center. "Students develop a
network of friends and resources throughout Southern and Eastern Kentucky that will
help them seize their potential as the region's next generation of future leaders."

Rogers Explorers spend three days and two nights on campus at some of Kentucky top
colleges and universities, where experts guide participants in hands-on assignments,
all of which encourage creative thinking and teamwork and build leadership skills.

Thirty students will be selected to attend each of the four 2012 Rogers Explorers
summer sessions. All lodging, meals, and program expenses (with the exception of
transportation to and from the campus host site) are provided free of charge to
participating students.

Rogers Explorers, developed, coordinated and supervised by The Center, a nonprofit
economic development organization in Somerset, is presented in partnership with the
University of the Cumberlands, Lindsey Wilson College, Eastern Kentucky University,
and Morehead State University.

Since 2006, 330 students have graduated from Rogers Explorers and have been
encouraged to work toward building their future careers in Southern and Eastern
Kentucky.