By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - “Going to Campbellsville University has challenged me and made me a better person,” Michael Jennings, a senior from Edmonton, Ky. said. Angela Price, a master's graduate from the Louisville Education Center, said her educational experience at CU was an “answer to prayer.”

These two students were among the speakers at the “Campaign for the Commonwealth” meeting at the Louisville Education Center April 25 in which about 45 people from the Louisville area attended.

B.J. and Vicki Senior of LaGrange were honored with a Servant Leadership Award for their work with Campbellsville University.

The award was presented for their “dedication, leadership and commitment to Campbellsville University and Christian higher education.”

Senior, a 1968 graduate of CU, is a member of the Board of Alumni at CU and is a retired Realtor who still manages residential rental properties for several clients including the university's property in Henry County, Ky.

Mrs. Senior has been a Realtor member of the Greater Louisville Association for Realtors for over 25 consecutive years and concentrates on sales and management of residential properties mostly in Oldham County, Ky.

Anna Mary Byrdwell, left, and Guy Montgomery, Campbellsville University members of the Board of Trustees, talk at the Campaign for the Commonwealth meeting. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney)

In addressing the audience, Jennings, who is the incoming Student Government Association president, said Campbellsville University has “shaped, changed and grown” him. He serves as an intern in the Office of Admissions, and he thanked everyone for their support for which he is grateful.

Price received her master's in theology at CU after having had a master's degree from the University of Louisville 20 years ago.

“I wanted to serve people and the Lord,” she said. “I have a passion to work with people.”

She quoted Theodore Roosevelt who said, “Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” She said, “I truly believe Campbellsville University cares for her students on a personal level.”

She said she spent eight days in the hospital, her husband had a stroke before her graduation and her mother died while she was taking classes. She said the way the faculty and staff treated her during these times showed “the heart of the school.”

Dr. Chris Conver, assistant professor of theology, showed the “compassion of Christ,” during her times of need, she said.

Benji Kelly, vice president for development, said, “Each of you here tonight has a story to tell how you are related to CU. It's an exciting time at CU, and a lot of wonderful things are happening.

“CU is on the move with changing lives.”

He said the audience can do three things - pray for CU, send students and give financial support.

Paula Smith, director of alumni relations, shows pictures to Bonnie Abner of Louisville, center, and Cindy Ohlmann, whose daughter, Taylor, is a CU student. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney)

Kelly came to Campbellsville University as a student in 1987 when 600 students were enrolled. He said fall 2013 saw 3,600 students with a vision of 5,000, following Vision 2025, in the year 2025 or before.

Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said there has never been a better time for the need of Christian higher education than now.

He said Campbellsville University still serves an historical niche of students whose median family income is less than $45,000 and 75 percent of her students get PELL grants. He said 50 percent of the fall 2013 freshman class is first generation college students.

He told the audience of several buildings and programs that have been built and established during the last campaign including the two buildings in Louisville, the Larry and Beverly Noe Education Center in Somerset, the School of Nursing, Carver School of Social Work and Counseling and others.

He quoted Robert Coles, an American author, child psychiatrist and professor at Harvard University, who asked what it means to be a good person.

He said numerous people were asked throughout the country, and that question was hard to answer. However, Carter said, since 1906, Campbellsville University has answered that question by teaching Christian higher education to servant leaders - and therefore teaching them to be a “good person.”

He said the university has taught Christ's teachings, and the university hasn't deviated from that in her 108 years of teaching.

He said there are 65 languages spoken on the university's campus with 40 nationalities represented. “It is amazing that students learn to get along culturally, racially and linguistically.”

He said there is a “sense of community” lived out every day on campsus.

Carter said Campbellsville University's mission is important in a lot of ways. “Actually, we are an incubator for world peace.”

He said CU has 90 different academic options to choose from with a most recent addition of the teaching of robotics with three area schools - Green, Taylor and Campbellsville Independent School Systems.

He said Campbellsville University has found a way keep moving. “Pray for CU,” he urged the audience. “The Christian mission is strong and center. What you do will help keep CU affordable,” he said.

“The mission of Campbellsville University teaches all ages to reach their dreams. It teaches students how to be good people. Pray for us and help us.”

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 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.