Aug. 27, 2009

For Immediate Release

Campbellsville University students gathered in front of their record-breaking stack of mattresses with Andrew Ward, director of student activities and intramurals and coordinator of the event, standing on the ladder in back. (Campbellsville University Photo by André Tomaz)

Campbellsville University Students Break Guinness World Record

By Christina Miller, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.—With 66 mattresses stacked at 12 feet and 9 inches tall, Campbellsville University broke the Guinness World Record for the world's tallest stack of mattresses during Welcome Weekend, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, on the university's Stapp Lawn.

The previous record was held by and originally set by Sealy Mattresses in High Point, N.C., in 2005.

“Our original plan called for more mattresses. However, even though more students didn't bring their mattresses, many did come out to cheer,” said Andrew Ward, director of student activities and intramurals.

“And there were several who offered physical assistance while we were building the stack…the biggest obstacle was the wind,” he said. “There were several times we had the record beaten, only to have the wind shift our stack around. We had to regroup several times. Nonetheless, we hung in there and got it done.”

An onlooker photographs the world record-breaking stack of mattresses being built on Campbellsville University's Stapp Lawn during the Welcome Weekend festivities. (Campbellsville University Photo by André Tomaz)

Holly Davidson, a freshman from Danville, Ky., said, “It's awesome to see a world record broken on my second day of college life.”

Ward said a world record is something that most college students probably can't boast about.

“I'm particularly excited about the possibility of this becoming a tradition,” Ward said. “Down the road we'll have graduates who can say they were a part of four or five world record-breaking events. Not many people can say that.”

To officially beat the world record, the stack of mattresses had to be free standing, using only mattresses, according to Ward. The mattresses also had to be commercially available and be the same size. All mattresses used came from students' dorm rooms.

Community witnesses also were required to make the record official. Campbellsville Mayor Brenda Allen and Rob Collins of WCKQ, a Campbellsville radio station, were present. The measurement also had to be identified by an official land surveyor. All documentation still needs to be sent to the Guinness World Record head office for final approval.

Ward plans to break a new record every school year during Welcome Weekend. As for what record to break next, he is unsure, but knows it won't include mattresses. Ward joked, “Maybe dorm desks.”

A crowd on the ground watches as Brandon Thompson, CU admissions counselor, at left, Andrew Ward, director of student services and intramurals, Dave Walters, vice president for admissions and student services and Danny Pace, director of South Hall-West, stand on ladders to stack mattresses in the Guiness World Record Event. (Campbellsville University Photo by André Tomaz)

Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Listed in U.S.News & World Report's 2010 “America's Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 23rd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South and fourth in “up-and-coming” schools in the south. CU has been ranked 17 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America's Best Christian Colleges® and to G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his 11th year as president.   

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