State Leaders Visit Brewton-Parker for ‘Tea@Ten’ Events

Courtesy of Brewton-Parker College

Brewton-Parker College’s History Department recently welcomed two distinguished guests as part of its ongoing Tea@Ten series — Representative Leesa Hagan and Senator Blake Tillery — offering students a valuable opportunity to engage directly with state policymakers on campus.

Representative Leesa Hagan visited on April 10, 2025, speaking with students about the recent legislative session and how state government impacts rural communities like Montgomery County. Reflecting on her visit, Representative Hagan shared: “I really enjoyed visiting with Brewton-Parker students and answering their questions about our state government and the legislative session that just ended. There are some exceptional students studying there, and I hope many of them will consider settling down in rural Georgia after they complete their education.”

Senator Blake Tillery followed on April 17. He emphasized the importance of servant leadership and the need for young adults to stay rooted in their values while engaging in civic life. “Your voice matters more than you think,” Tillery told students. “Local communities like ours need leaders who aren’t afraid to show up, listen, and do the work with integrity.” He encouraged students to be both informed and active: “Whether you end up in politics, education, ministry, or business, your job is to care about your neighbor — and there’s no better training ground for that than rural Georgia.” BPC President Dr. Steven Echols emphasized the importance of exposing students to real-world leadership and civic engagement. “It is important for our students to hear directly from those serving in government, especially our local representatives. Dr. Echols said, “These kinds of conversations help prepare our students to think critically and lead faithfully in whatever path God calls them to. We deeply appreciate Senator Tillery and Representative Hagan taking the time to come. It was an honor to have them speak to our students, faculty, and staff.” Tea@Ten events are part of Brewton-Parker’s ongoing effort to connect classroom learning with real-world engagement.