By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Dr. W.R. “Randy” Davenport, president emeritus at Campbellsville University, will be the chapel speaker at CU's Heritage Day Wednesday, Sept. 24, at Ransdell Chapel.
Davenport, who served as president of Campbellsville College from 1969 to 1988, will discuss the history of the institution during the annual Heritage Day presentation. The public is invited.
Davenport retired from Campbellsville College in 1988 after 19 years as college president and 40 years as an educator. He previously served as a professor at the University of Michigan at Flint, Butler University in Indianapolis and the University of Arkansas. He was formerly a high school principal and teacher of science and mathematics.
Davenport received a bachelor of arts in chemistry from the University of
Louisville in 1947, a master of science in science education and administration from the University of Arkansas in 1950 and a doctor of education in educational administration from the University of Arkansas in 1955.
Davenport joined the Gideons in November 1954 and has been active in the organization since. He has had various camp offices in the Campbellsville Camp; he is now membership chairman.
He serves as a consultant for the Gideons International Headquarters Development Department in estate planning. He is also church ministry coordinator for the Kentucky State Cabinet.
Davenport formerly served as international president, vice president, chaplain, trustee of USA Zone 6, Kentucky and Michigan state president, Indiana vice president and various other offices. He has also served for various convention and conference planning committees.
Davenport has served in several international ministry assignments in several countries.
He is the former past president of the Campbellsville Club of Kiwanis International and a former member of the national advisory board of Baptists in Scouting.
Davenport is retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve.
Davenport is a member, deacon, Sunday School teacher and moderator at
Campbellsville Baptist Church.
He formerly served as a member of the following Southern Baptist Convention boards: Education Commission, Southern Baptist Foundation, Brotherhood Commission and Christian Life Commission.
He is past chairman of the state missions committee of Michigan Baptists and past chairman of the state executive board of the Indiana Baptists.
Davenport and his wife, Janet Chambers Davenport, have four children and
seven grandchildren.
For more information about chapel, contact Ed Pavy, director of campus ministries at (270) 789-5227.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,405 students who represent 98 Kentucky counties, 25 states and 36 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report's 2009 “America's Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South for the second consecutive year. CU has been ranked 16 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America's Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his tenth year as president.