By Joan C. McKinney, director, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, will be the first speaker at the university's chapel at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22 at Ransdell Chapel, 401 N. Hoskins Ave., Campbellsville, Ky.
Carter is in his 19th year as president of Campbellsville University, a position he has held since 1999. He was provost and vice president for academic affairs, as well as professor of sociology, at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn., from 1985 until he became president of CU.
During Carter's tenure at CU, the institution has experienced significant growth in student enrollment, number and quality of academic programs and fundraising success, along with enhanced campus facilities and aesthetics.
Under Carter's leadership, Campbellsville University has more than 10,000 students both on the main and regional campuses and online. The university has regional centers in Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset, Liberty and Hodgenville and instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville, all in Kentucky, and one in Costa Mesa, Calif.
U.S. News & World Report has continued to rank Campbellsville University as a top regional university in the south.
One of the real strengths of Carter's tenure has been the strong leadership of the Board of Trustees. A series of dedicated Board chairs and the spirit of unity among the trustees has been instrumental in the university's progress. Carter has developed a strong leadership team and has emphasized a spirit of cooperation and consensus among faculty, staff, coaches and the entire campus community.
“Vision 2025—Preparing Christian Servant Leaders” is the document that becomes the blueprint for the continued growth and development of Campbellsville University. Vision 2025 reflects Carter's dream for the ongoing advancement of Christian higher education at CU and the faculty, staff and coaches' commitment to preparing Christian servant leaders for the 21st century.
Carter is a 1976 graduate of Marshall University where he received his bachelor of arts degree. In 1979, he received his master of arts degree, also from Marshall. He did additional graduate study at Andover-Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, Mass.
He received his Ph.D. from Ohio State University in 1984. His dissertation was on “Extent and Direction of Rural Community Change: A Social Impact Assessment of Reservoir Development.”
In addition to his success as a higher education administrator, Carter is author of several book chapters and journal articles ranging from Higher Education (Mission and Service) to Religion & Life in Appalachia, Rural Youth Drug Abuse and Community Change.
Carter has taught some sociology classes at CU also.
Carter is married to Debbie Carter, a former social work professor at CU. They have three children: Dr. Eric Carter, dean of regional instruction and services and associate professor of sociology; Dr. Wes Carter, executive director of university outreach; and Alicia Shea. He is a member of and deacon at Campbellsville Baptist Church.
Chapel is designed to provide opportunities for corporate worship and exposure through
a variety of informative speakers and presentations.
All chapels are open to the public free of charge and are televised live on WLCU (Comcast
Cable channel 10 and digital channel 23.0) and are streamed live on the internet at
wlcutv.com.
For information about chapel, call the Office of Campus Ministries at (270) 789-5227.
Campbellsville University is a widely-acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 10,000 students offering over 90 programs of study including 20 master's degrees, six postgraduate areas and seven pre-professional programs. The university has off-campus centers in Kentucky cities Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset, Hodgenville and Liberty with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville, all in Kentucky, and one in Costa Mesa, Calif., and a full complement of online programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.