Dec. 14, 2015
For Immediate Release
| Dr. John Chowning, left, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president at Campbellsville University, thanks the audience for his “Man of the Year” Award presented by Bishop C. James King, second from left, founder of Project One Inc. Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, also spoke at the ceremony. |
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Dr. John Chowning, executive vice
president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the
president at Campbellsville University, has been named “Man of the Year” by
Project One Inc. in Louisville.
Chowning
was one of four to receive awards through Project One Inc. that was started May
15, 1985 in Louisville. Project One has placed over 18,000 students on
meaningful jobs since its inception.
Thousands
of students in Project One have graduated from high school and colleges.
Others
receiving awards were: Jerry Ward, chairman of the Board for Kosair Charities,
“Humanitarian of the Year”; Mrs. Jessie Daniels, educator, “Women of the Year”
and Dr. Jonathan T. Lott, clergyman, chairman, Project One Inc. Board of
Trustees, “Montest Eaves Award.”
Chowning
received the award from Bishop C. James King Jr., founder of Project One Inc.
Chowning
said, “This award from Bishop C. James King and Project One Inc. is very much
appreciated. It was quite a surprise when I received notice that I was to be
the recipient, and I want to acknowledge the tremendous work that Bishop King
and Project One have done over the past 30 years.
“Some 18,000 young people have received leadership training
and summer employment opportunities as a result of the visionary leadership of
Bishop King and the work of the many people involved with Project One.
“Project One and Campbellsville University are both
Christian organizations that are working to provide educational opportunity and
servant leadership training for young people, and we look forward to partnering
with Project One even more in the future.”
Chowning called King a “great Christian leader” whose
“impact and influence are national and global in scope.”
He said, “It is a privilege and honor to receive this award
from him and Project One, Inc., the organization that he formed and leads, and
to count him as a good friend and colleague. Thank you for this award.”
King said Chowning was “so deserving”
of the award. “I really appreciate you, your faith and commitment to Jesus Christ
and making this world a better place
to live.”
Dr.
Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, addressed the audience
and spoke of Chowning's leadership with Greater Campbellsville United, the
focus of which is to help create an environment of equality and opportunity for
all residents of Campbellsville-Taylor County and the heartland region of
Kentucky.
Carter also discussed Chowning's many remarkable qualities
including his respect in Frankfort, his work with the Economic Development
Authority in Campbellsville, as an educator, public policy analyst, pastor and
the “great compassion he has for all people.”
Carter said Chowning has a great ability to get projects
completed that help people. He also discussed Chowning's passion for racial
reconciliation and how that translates into everything he does.
With the support of CU
presidents Dr. Ken Winters and Carter, Chowning proposed the university's
Technology Training Center and coordinated efforts to secure funding for the
project by working with U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.
Chowning is retiring at the end of December after 26 years
of service to Campbellsville University. However, he will continue to work part
time as executive assistant to the president for government, community and
constituent relations.
Chowning became involved in fundraising with Campbellsville
University in 1989 and became a member of the university's Board of Trustees in
1992.
He continued on the board for the next seven years, serving
as chair in 1996 and 1997. He became a full-time employee in February 1998.
He taught as an adjunct for several years in Campbellsville
University's political science department. He has served as chair of the
university's diversity committee, strategic planning and University Council.
He is an ordained Baptist minister having served as senior
pastor of Saloma Baptist Church since 1994. He is an active member, former secretary
of Taylor County Ministerial Association and is a member of the executive
boards of Taylor County Baptist Association and Zion District Association of
Baptists.
He led his church to become a member of the General Association
of Baptists in Kentucky, the state's historic black Baptist state convention -
one of two historically Anglo Baptist churches to join the GABKY. He has been
active in the life of the GABKY for the past several years.
Chowning has been recognized for his leadership in racial
and ethnic reconciliation ministry and is a member of the Ecumenical
Ministerial Alliance of Campbellsville-Taylor County.
Chowning has a master's of public administration (planning
emphasis) from Eastern Kentucky University; a bachelor of arts in political
science from Transylvania University; and an associate of arts from Lindsey
Wilson College.
He has completed several courses in the program of alternate
studies at Memphis Theological Seminary and has completed additional graduate
hours in education at EKU. He received
an honorary doctorate of public service degree from Campbellsville University
in December 2013.
His wife of 44 years, Cathy Pence Chowning, is a licensed
physical therapist and works as a rehabilitation services director at a
Campbellsville-area nursing home and rehabilitation center, and they are the
parents of four children, including Kaleb Chowning, who works in the Office of
Development at Campbellsville University, and have four grandchildren.
Chowning manages a family farm operation in his native
Cumberland County, Ky. The Chownings
have lived in Campbellsville for the past 38 years.
Campbellsville University is a widely
acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students
offering over 80 programs of study including 24 master's
degrees, seven postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The
website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.