Nov. 3, 2016
For Immediate Release
By Joshua Williams, communications assistant
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - “It is amazing that this university received me and invested in me even when I didn't invest in myself,” Dr. Joseph L. Owens, chair of Campbellsville University's Board of Trustees, and pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky., said at Campbellsville University's 37th annual President's Club dinner.
Owens said just like every movie, Campbellsville University has a story to tell. “Behind the scenes there are a group of people who help the university be all that it can be,” Owens said.
Owens said we all struggle to remember other actors in the movies because we remember the main actor who we see on the front lines.
“Even though it is true, it is also true that the ones behind the scene are as important as the ones on the front line,” Owens said.
“Campbellsville University has a great story and how do I know that? I am a part of that story. Who would have known that a boy with no desire for an education or money for it would be standing in front of the President's Club,” Owen said.
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| From left; Marie Windburn, Dean Johannes and E. Bruce Heilman attending the 37th Annual President's Club dinner at Campbellsville University. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joshua Williams) |
Owens said his story is one of diversity. “Look around the room, there are no two people alike.”
Owens said diversity is our strength, no matter how good a player is, the entire team has to function as a whole.
Owens has served as board chair five years, and he relinquished his role the day following the President's Club dinner at the fall board meeting.
“After five glorious wonderful years as chairman of this board, I won't be up on the podium or at many of the head tables, but I am still going to be on the team behind the scenes like you are,” Owens said.
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| Dr. Joseph Owens, previous chair of Campbellsville University's Board of Trustees, receives standing ovation after giving a speech during President's Club dinner. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joshua Williams) |
Owens said, “As long as I have breath in my body, the CU story will be told and lived because of your investments.”
Benji Kelly, vice president for development, said at last year's President's Club dinner, Dr. E. Bruce Heilman, a 1949 alumnus who is on the university's board of trustees, gave $1 million toward the third building of the E. Bruce Heilman Student Complex. Heilman also announced, at last year's meeting, an additional anonymous $1 million donation.
The project now has reached $3.1 million, Kelly said.
Various offices are planned to be housed in the complex including admissions, student services, career services, a meeting place and a place for alumni to gather.
“We have a vision and a plan and hope each member can contribute to the further development of the complex,” Kelly said.
The President's Club is for donors for Campbellsville University who contribute $1,000 or more in a fiscal year. The dinner is held as a thank you to them as well as to honor the new members of the President's Club.
President's club has 429 members, including 51 new members.
“The President's Club is that bedrock group of individuals who believe in the vision and believe the fact that lives are changed through Christian higher education,” Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said.
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| New members for the President's Club include from left: Marie Winburn from LaGrange, Ky.; Suzie Trejo-Williams and Dr. Shawn Williams from Campbellsville, Ky.; Bob Hughes representing St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Campbellsville, Ky.; Shirley Scott from Bowling Green, Ky.; Dean Johannes from LaGrange, Ky.; Janet and Paul Hert from Campbellsville, Ky.; and Roxy and Earl Camic from Harrodsburg, Ky. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joshua Williams) |
New members for the President's Club include: Earl and Roxy Camic from Harrodsburg, Ky.; Paul and Janet Hert from Campbellsville, Ky.; Dean Johannes from LaGrange, Ky.; Shirley Scott from Bowling Green, Ky.; Bob Hughes representing St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Campbellsville, Ky.; Dr. Shawn and Suzie Trejo-Williams from Campbellsville, Ky.; and Marie Winburn from LaGrange, Ky.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 4,500 students offering over 80 programs of study including 19 master's degrees, six postgraduate areas and seven pre-professional programs. The university has off-campus centers in Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset and Hodgenville with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville and a full complement of online programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.