Dec. 12, 2014
For Immediate Release

By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, told 210 undergraduate and graduate students in two commencement ceremonies Friday, Dec. 12 in Ransdell Chapel to live by fellowship, leadership and scholarship - words on the university seal.

Graduates performing the ceremonial walk around campus. (Campbellsville University Photo by Kyle Perkins)

In his charge to the graduates, Carter reminded the graduates they can make a difference in the world and to create a spirit of fellowship. “Be your own thinker,” he told the graduates.

He said leadership involves inspiring and creating an atmosphere around an individual that allows them to achieve a level of competence they didn't believe they could achieve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He also told the graduates to commit to a lifetime of scholarship. “Learning begins with the study of the word of God,” he said. “Be bold, go aggressively in the future; don't just accept the status quo,” he said. “You can change our world and do it with the love and spirit of Jesus Christ.”

He urged the students to thank those who helped them along their journey. He told the students to be people who can bring forth solutions and solve problems.

In the 2 p.m. ceremony, Leslie Ann Harper, valedictorian from Clinton, Ky., in response to Carter's charge, asked her fellow graduates to look back on their journey and thank those who helped them along the way. She told the graduates they are “special people” and “You have big things in your future.”

Mizuki Ikeda of Tokyo, Japan, was salutatorian of the class.

Sarah Brooke Gilbert of Hodgenville, Ky., gave the response to Carter's charge at the 4 p.m. ceremony. “There are good memories here,” she told her classmates. “We must realize that these last several years have simply prepared us to be servant leaders in our world,” she said.

“Knowledge, understanding - they are sacred trusts calling us on to higher callings of brotherly kindness, love, self-control and virtue,” Gilbert said.

Paula Smith, director of alumni relations, welcomed the graduates into the CU Alumni Association.

“My wish for each of you is may God be with you as you leave this university and guide you in the decisions ahead. I am so proud of each and every one of you and will be glad to serve each of you not only as the alumni director but as your friend,” she said.

The graduates receiving degrees are as follows: 29 associate degrees in nursing; seven associate of science; five bachelor of arts; four bachelor of music; 56 bachelor of science; 17 bachelor of social work; 24 bachelor of science in business administration; four master of arts in music; four master of arts in organizational leadership; one master of arts in school improvement; one master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages;

Twelve master of business administration; one master in management and leadership; one master of music in conducting; one master of music in music education; 21 master of social work; four master of arts in special education; one master of music in music performance; eight bachelor of science in nursing; six master of theology; and three master of science in counseling.

Degrees are conferred upon completion of all academic requirements.
Dr. Frank Cheatham, senior vice president for academic affairs, presented the graduates. Dr. Joseph L. Owens, chair of the CU Board of Trustees, gave the invocation at both ceremonies.

Dr. Wesley Roberts, professor of music, played the organ, and Dr. Reese Land, associate professor of music, played trumpet. Dr. Mark Bradley, professor of music, led the congregational music.

Dr. Jeanette Parker, associate vice president for academic affairs and associate professor of psychology, gave the benediction at the 2 p.m. ceremony, and Dr. Donna Hedgepath, dean of the School of Education and associate professor of education, delivered the 4 p.m. benediction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.