Aug. 31, 2012
For Immediate Release

By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University's president, Dr. Michael V. Carter, challenged students, faculty, staff and coaches as he read “poignant, important and piercing” passages from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7, to communicate with God during the 2012-2013 academic year.

Carter spoke at the first chapel of the semester Aug. 29 in Ransdell Chapel. The theme for this year's chapel series is: “Who is Jesus and What Should Our Response Be?”

Also, during the chapel, Dr. Michelle Tucker, associate professor of social work, received the Non-Tenured Faculty Award. She has taught at CU since 2008 and is the wife of Frank Tucker and daughter of Mike and Kathy Ramsey of Campbellsville and Jerry Gupton of Ohio.

Carter, who is beginning his 14th year as president, said Jesus Christ gives purpose, meaning and direction to our lives.

He said the faculty, staff, coaches and students must arrange, conduct, live out and fulfill the mission of Campbellsville University by being Christians in demeanor, conduct and attitudes found in a Christian university.

Carter read from Matthew 6:5-13 discussing how we communicate with God in prayer. He urged the students to start “this academic year's journey” by focusing on Jesus Christ through prayer.

“Make time to communicate with God,” he said.

Carter asked Dr. John Hurtgen, chair of the School of Theology, to lead those in the Ransdell Chapel in the reciting of the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6:9-13.

Carter said Jesus asks us to do hard but meaningful items in life - those that are not simple.

He quoted Matthew 5:38-44 as Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let them have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

He challenged those attending to start the new academic year by guarding their thinking, “watch out about your attitude and communicate through prayer.”

Carter said the world needs Campbellsville University to be about the business of Jesus Christ. “Learn how to love in an intentional way,” he said. “Stay on this path. Love others. Encourage those who are depressed and live with joy and compassion.”

Kelsey Best of Harrodsburg, president of the Student Government Association, welcomed everyone to CU and quoted from Daniel 12:3 where God promised “the wise people will shine like the brightness of the sky. Those who teach others to live right will shine like stars forever and ever.”

She said, “Here at Campbellsville University we strive to induce the areas of academics and servant leadership so that all students may become the shining starts that influence the world.

“Make the most of your college career by soaking in every piece of information that you are capable of holding.”

She challenged the students to branch out, take advantage of every opportunity that is presented to them (including going on at least one mission trip) and “to not just count the days, but make the days count.”

Best said, “Only a select number of people your age around the world have the privilege of being in your shoes and receive a college education. Live each day to the fullest and at the end of the feel that your goals have been accomplished.”

The Rev. Walter Davis IV, pastor of First Baptist Church in Campbellsville and a student at CU, and Dr. Darlene Eastridge, dean of the Carver School of Social Work and Counseling, gave a joint reading from the Bible.

Members of the School of Music presented music during the chapel in which faculty members wore academic regalia and new faculty were introduced.

They include Anne Adcock, assistant professor of social work and Somerset site director; S. Kay Gupton, instructor in human performance; Dejan Mraović, assistant professor of graphic design; Deborah Allen Spalding, assistant professor of education; Russell Thompson, assistant director of bands and instructor in music; Dr. Karen Westbrooks, associate professor of counseling and assistant master of social work and counseling program director at the Louisville Education Center, Master in Social Work Counseling Program; Jacquelyn Young, clinical nursing instructor; and Phoebe Williamson, assistant professor of education.

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.