A Journey from the Emberá Purú Village to UT Southern Begins
PULASKI, Tenn. – This fall, the University of Tennessee Southern will welcome two students whose journey to campus spans more than 2,000 miles, years of perseverance and a shared commitment to making a difference.
Genesis Barrigon and Katherine Barrigon, cousins from the Emberá Purú village in eastern Panama, will begin classes at UT Southern this August after years of determination, multiple visa applications and the support of partners in both Panama and Tennessee who helped make the opportunity possible. A luncheon will be held to officially welcome them on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 11:30 a.m. CDT in the Firehawk Café with UT System President Randy Boyd, UT Southern Chancellor Melinda Arnold, Tennessee State Representatives Mark White and Clay Doggett, and other invited guests participating.
For Genesis and Katherine, attending college in the United States once seemed beyond reach. Today, they are preparing to join the UT Southern family, where Katherine will study nursing and Genesis will study English while experiencing a new culture, building lifelong friendships and developing the knowledge and skills that will prepare them for lives of service.
“At UT Southern, we believe every student has a unique story and incredible potential,” Arnold said. “Genesis and Katherine have demonstrated remarkable resilience, determination and courage throughout their journey. We are honored they have chosen UT Southern and are committed to helping them thrive academically, personally and professionally.”
Genesis and Katherine are members of the Emberá people, an Indigenous community in the rainforest of eastern Panama where life is deeply rooted in family, culture and tradition. Their home village of Emberá Purú is accessible only by dugout canoe, educational opportunities are scarce, access to clean water and electricity is unavailable, and residents often rely on visiting medical mission teams because there is no local access to healthcare. For the village, the opportunity for two young women to earn degrees at UT Southern represents far more than individual achievement. It is an investment in knowledge, skills and leadership that has the potential to strengthen the community for generations to come.
Bringing that opportunity to fruition required years of perseverance and the support of dedicated mentors and community partners who believed in their potential. Among them was Cup of Cold Water Ministries, which has faithfully served the Emberá Purú village for nearly two decades, building trusted relationships with families while encouraging educational opportunities for young people throughout the community.
A pivotal moment in Genesis and Katherine’s journey came during a 2022 visit to Panama, when Tennessee State Representative Mark White introduced Genesis and Katherine to UT System President Randy Boyd. Inspired by the students’ determination, academic promise and the opportunity to invest in the future of the Emberá Purú community, the Boyd Foundation committed to providing scholarships covering tuition, housing, meals and other university-related expenses, making it possible for them to pursue their nursing degrees at UT Southern.
“One of the things I love most about higher education is the opportunity to help students realize dreams they never thought possible,” Boyd said. “Genesis and Katherine’s journey is a wonderful reminder that serendipity often opens doors we never expected. By investing in these remarkable young women, we’re also investing in the future of the community that shaped them. That’s the lasting impact education can have, and we’re proud to welcome them to the UT family.”
“I am honored and grateful to the Boyd Foundation and University of Tennessee Southern for the incredible opportunity they have given to Katherine and Genesis,” White said. “I have been working in the country of Panama for 25 years with a focus on supporting the children with the opportunities that education offers. When I invited President Randy Boyd to go with me on a trip he at once saw the same vision that I had. While visiting a remote Village in the rainforest of Panama, Randy offered opportunity where there was none. After much work and perseverance, Katherine and Genesis are realizing a dream they never thought possible. We look forward to welcoming them to UT Southern and seeing a dream become reality.”
As Genesis and Katherine prepare to arrive on campus, UT Southern faculty and staff are focused on providing the support, encouragement and sense of belonging that define the university’s close-knit community.
“One of the things that makes UT Southern special is the way we care for our students,” Arnold said. “From the moment they arrive, they become part of a community that is invested in their success. We look forward to walking alongside Genesis and Katherine as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Classes for the Fall 2026 semester begin Aug. 19.
About the University of Tennessee Southern
The University of Tennessee Southern provides an exceptional educational experience that empowers students to discover their potential, serve their communities and lead meaningful lives. Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, UT Southern offers personalized learning, hands-on experiences and a close-knit campus community while serving southern Middle Tennessee and preparing students for success.