Jan. 26, 2015
For Immediate Release
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University President Michael V. Carter has announced the selection of Dr. Donna Hedgepath, dean of the School of Education, as the new vice president for academic affairs.
Her selection results from a year-long national search to find the “best replacement for Dr. Frank Cheatham, who is retiring in mid-May of this year as CU's chief academic officer,” Carter said.
Carter said, “Dr. Hedgepath has the breadth of experience and academic training to lead CU's diverse and growing academic programs to new levels of excellence and comprehensive scope.
“During the past decade in her time at CU, she has shown exceptional leadership skills, academic depth and knowledge, strong Christian faith and servanthood and respect among her peers. Her leadership of the School of Education over the past couple of years has been a time of innovation, vision and streamlining of academic offerings.”
“I am honored and humbled by my recent appointment as the vice president for academic affairs,” Hedgepath said.
“I look forward to serving the students and faculty at CU while maintaining a spirit of ‘faith and learning' that prepares servant leaders.
“I am excited to serve CU in this capacity as we move forward,” she said.
Hedgepath has worked with Cheatham as one of the institution's academic deans and served as a member of the Administrative Council, CU's highest level of administration, for the past two years representing the faculty.
Carter said she will be able to work with Cheatham between now and his retirement. He called Cheatham “one of the true giants of Baptist higher education” who is serving in his 42nd year at Campbellsville University.
Of Hedgepath, Carter said, “We're excited about having her in this very critical role as we look forward to the ongoing implementation of ‘Vision 2025 - Preparing Christian Servant Leaders,' which is the bold blueprint for the future set forth by the CU Board of Trustees.
“Certainly, Dr. Hedgepath will be playing a very important role in making Vision 2025 a reality.”
Hedgepath, a 1992 bachelor's and 1999 master's graduate of Campbellsville University, has participated in the national accreditation of the School of Education as well as gaining knowledge of the SACSCOC accreditation standards during her time as dean.
Prior to her tenure as dean, Hedgepath served as a member of the faculty in both the Schools of Education and Music. She brings to her new position ten plus years of experience with Campbellsville University and proven administrative leadership skills as an academic dean and faculty member.
Carter said, “Her writing and research skills, as an academician, are exemplary, she is respected by the current administrative leadership team as well as her colleagues on the faculty and staff, and she has excellent understanding of the mission and future of Campbellsville University.”
Hedgepath has a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Kentucky which she received in August 2006. She specialized in teacher quality.
She received her Master of Music in Music Education degree from Campbellsville University in 1999 with core content for arts and humanities curriculum alignment as her research focus. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from CU in 1992.
She has her rank I in vocal music K-12 and gifted and talented education endorsement from Western Kentucky University.
She served as a teacher in the Marion County School System from 1993 to 2001 and taught one year in the Taylor County School System.
She is married to Pete Hedgepath and has three sons, Mitchell Tinnell and Nathan and Aaron Hedgepath.
Dr. Dwayne Howell, professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, served as chair of the search committee, with Dr. Pat Cowherd, professor and dean of the School of Business and Economics, serving as vice chair of the search committee; and Dr. Joe Early Sr., search consultant.
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.