May 14, 2016

For Immediate Release

 

By Joan C. McKinney, coordinating director

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Dr. Joseph L. Owens, chair of the
Campbellsville University Board of Trustees, urged Campbellsville University
graduates to “Don't just stand there, do something,” as he spoke at
commencement Saturday, May 14 in Powell Athletic Center.

A total of 411 undergraduate and graduate students in three
commencement ceremonies Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14 were given their
diplomas. The 2015-16 academic year produced 642 Campbellsville University
graduates.

Owens, who graduated in 1977 from Campbellsville University,
told the graduates, “This is not a time to stand still nor to allow fear or you
to be so settled in your life to dampen the momentum of the journey.”

He spoke from Exodus' third and fourth chapters which told
of Moses' “commencement” when he was nudged by God to step into the next phase
of his journey.

“God knew Moses was ready, and God knows you are ready for
your Commencement Day,” Owens said.

He urged the graduates to clarify their calling, confirm
their commitment and commence with courage.

“This is Holy Ground at Campbellsville University,” he said.
“God will be with you as you continue to be Christian servant leaders.”

Dr. Joseph L. Owens, chair of the Campbellsville University Board of Trustees, was the commencement speaker for the May 14 ceremonies. He also received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.  (Campbellsville University Photo by Drew Tucker)

Owens also received the prestigious Algernon Sydney Sullivan
Award at the Friday night master's commencement in Ransdell Chapel. At the
Saturday morning ceremony, 2016 graduate Kristen Nichole Jacob of Lexington
received the student Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.

Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, urged the students to thank someone who had helped them along their journey. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney)

Dr. Michael V. Carter, who is in his 17th year as president
of Campbellsville University, called commencement “the highest day in the life
of a university.”

He said Campbellsville University has had a record-setting
spring enrollment, and he said graduates of Campbellsville University graduate
with less debt, on average, than any other academic institution in the Commonwealth
of Kentucky.

In his charge to the graduates at each ceremony, Carter
asked the graduates to thank someone who has helped them along their journey to
receive their degree.

Cortni Cruse of Lexington, Ala. waits to receive her diploma. She majored in mass communication/broadcast and digital media. (Campbellsville University Photo by Jordan Alves)

He spoke of the importance of the university's seal
featuring fellowship, leadership and scholarship.

“Life changes when you come to Campbellsville University,”
he said. “Go forth and change the world with the spirit of Christ.”

In the Friday ceremony, Kristen Jean
Trottier of Lebanon gave the response to Carter's charge. “Campbellsville
University has taught each of us the skills and knowledge we need to be servant
leaders,” she said. “And, our life experiences have taught us all that the
future is not something that we find. Turns out, the future is something that we
create.”

Shelby
Lee Mattingly, a 2016 graduate from Versailles, told her classmates at the
Saturday morning ceremony that the “world is your classroom. You are ready.”

She
called Campbellsville University a “unique and special place” where “creative
ideas bloom and you make life-long friends.”   

Meg
Brown, a senior from Russellville, Ky., said, in her response to Carter's
charge at the Saturday noon ceremony, “Today, we celebrate. Today, we step
forward thankful for who we have been in this place and who we are to be as we
go on. Having found our calling, fellow graduates, let us live a life worthy of
this calling.”

Alejando Soriano from Spain shows where he's from on a wooden globe in front of Campbellsville University's Montgomery Library. (Campbellsville University Photo by Tomomi Sato)

Co-valedictorians of the May 2016 graduating class were Holly Michelle
Bowles of Louisville, Ky.; Clayton Drake Brooks of Bardstown, Ky.; Justin Wade
Cave of Campbellsville, Ky.; Josh Robert Eastridge of Campbellsville, Ky.;
Hannah Marie Erwin of Scottsville, Ky.;

Sarah
Michelle Hagan of West Lafayette, Ind.; Casey Brooke Hunt of Mt. Vernon, Ky.;
Amber Danielle Hurm of Philpot, Ky.; Rebecca Camille Jantzen of Brandenburg,
Ky.; and Emily Marie Kamenish of Louisville, Ky.

Salutatorian was Mallory Joelle Vest of Artesia, N.M.

Emily Meadows, right, of Louisville, Ky. gives Kari Green, also of Louisville, Ky., a hug at Campbellsville University's Commencement. (Campbellsville University Photo by Jordan Snider)

The graduates receiving degrees are as
follows: 21 associate degrees in nursing; nine associate of science; 16
bachelor of arts; one bachelor of music; 156 bachelor of science; 22 bachelor
of social work; 46 bachelor of science in business administration;

Twelve bachelor of science in
nursing; six teacher leader master of arts in education; one master of arts in
music; nine master of arts arts in special education; 15 master of arts in
school improvement; three master of arts in sport management; 12 teacher leader
master of arts in special education;

 

Twenty-two master of business
administration; two master of music in conducting; six master in marriage and
family therapy; seven master in management and leadership; five master of music
in performance; 27 master of social work and 13 master of theology.     

 

Degrees are conferred upon completion of all academic
requirements.

Clayton Brooks, left, of Bardstown, Ky., and Shane Buchanan of Ireland turn their tassels as Campbellsville University graduates. (Campbellsville University Photo by Jordan Snider)

Benji Kelly, vice president for development, installed the
graduates into the Alumni Association which is made up of about 11,000
Campbellsville University graduates.

“As a graduate you represent which that is good and great
about the university. Your past accomplishments, your future achievements, the
way in which you live, and the values by which you live will reflect upon the
educational values of Campbellsville University,” Kelly said.

Josh Vincent of Louisville, Ky., left, and Savannah Workman of Fort Gay, W.Va. talk before receiving their degrees at Campbellsville University's Commencement. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney)

Kelly asked the graduates to do three tasks: display their
diploma with pride, help recruit students and help continue a trend of record
setting enrollment and make a gift in support of the university.

Dr. Donna
Hedgepath vice president for academic affairs, presented the graduates. Dr.
Joseph L. Owens, chair of the CU Board of Trustees, gave the address at both
Saturday ceremonies.

Dr. Wesley Roberts, professor of music,
played the organ at the Friday ceremony, and the CU Brass Ensemble played at
the Saturday ceremonies. Special music at the Friday ceremony was given by Junjie
Piao, violinist, and Hsing-Yi Tsai, pianist.

Dr. Tony Cunha, dean of the School of Music and associate
professor of music, led the congregational music at the Friday and Saturday
noon ceremony, and Dr. Mark Bradley, professor of music, led the congregational
music at the 9 a.m. Saturday ceremony.

Dr. Helen
Mudd, professor of social work, gave the invocation at the Friday night
ceremony, and Dr. Jason Garrett, associate professor of communication, chair of
the faculty forum, gave the benediction.

Dr. Beverly Ennis, dean of the School of Education and
associate professor of education, gave the invocation at the 9 a.m. Saturday
ceremony, and Garrett gave the benediction.

Dr. Jeanette Parker, associate professor for academic affairs and professor of psychology, gave the invocation at the noon Saturday ceremony, and Garrett gave the 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.

Dr. Lisa Fulks, assistant professor of education/special education, waits to go into the master's ceremony in Ransdell Chapel. (Campbellsville University Photo by Tomomi Sato)

Jo Ann Harris of Campbellsville, Ky. is caught in a pensive moment at her master's graduation. She received a teacher leader master of arts in special education degree. (Campbellsville University Photo by Tomomi Sato)

Michael Ducharm of Pleasureville, Ky. waves during Campbellsville University's Commencement. (Campbellsville University Photo by Kasey Ricketts)

Joshua Williams of India looks back during the Senior Walk. (Campbellsville University Photo by Tomomi Sato)