By Katie Neal, freelance writer
HARRODSBURG, Ky. - Graduates at Campbellsville University Harrodsburg will celebrate two milestones this month.
In addition to receiving their diplomas, the class of 2021 includes the first group of students who have completed all four of their undergraduate years at the Conover Education Center, which opened in 2016 and began enrolling undergraduate students in 2017.
CU Harrodsburg will honor graduates at a reception on Thursday, April 22 from 4 until 5:30 p.m.
“Many of these students will stay in the Harrodsburg area in some capacity,” Dr. Stephen Wilson, lead academic officer and chief compliance officer at Harrodsburg, said.
“Some will join the job force and contribute to the local economy while others will complete their studies in graduate and professional schools, including those majors that we offer in Harrodsburg. Soon our graduates will form a significant component of the future leadership of this community. We are very proud of them for we saw that the changes in their lives began here.”
Of the 26 undergraduates earning their degrees, 10 began their higher education journey as first-year students at CU Harrodsburg four years ago. The class of 2021 also includes 16 students who transferred in and one graduate student.
Devin Baker, a senior sport management major from Lexington, enrolled as a freshman and played basketball for the Pioneers after graduating from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. He says CU Harrodsburg's motto “Life Change Happens Here” accurately reflects his experience. (Video)
“When I came here, I realized coaches don't just motivate you to play basketball. They teach you lessons in life such as accountability, leadership, resilience and never giving up,” said Baker, who eventually plans to become a coach himself.
“Campbellsville University Harrodsburg saved my life. Just the experience of being here for four years was something that grew me as a man. I'm blessed to be here and blessed to be graduating.”
Tevis Milburn's familiarity with CU began when she was a student at Mercer County Senior High School taking dual-credit courses offered through the main campus.
The daughter of two educators, her mother, Erin Milburn, taught at CU Harrodsburg as an adjunct instructor until becoming a full-time instructor in English and lead faculty advisor last year.
Though Tevis was accepted to every college she applied to during her senior year, she decided to travel and work as a server for a few years before enrolling at CU Harrodsburg in 2017.
“Harrodsburg is such a small town, and the university created a big opportunity to change the fabric of its history moving forward,” said Tevis, who now lives in Danville with her husband and son. Soon she will graduate with a bachelor's in social work, and she looks forward helping people in and around the communities she has called home. (Video)
“Being able to help people has been a cornerstone of my adult life. Family and community have always been important to me. Subconsciously that's probably what drove me to the profession of social work - to be part of positive change,” she said.
Between April 25 and May 1, the seven individual schools that make up Campbellsville University will be holding their own in-person commencement ceremonies on the main campus.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 13,500 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.