Jan.
23, 2016
For Immediate Release

By Christina Kern, alumna
communications consultant

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — More than 80
students from India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Jordan slid their way through
the snow Saturday morning to Campbellsville University's Louisville Education
Center for the kickoff to a history-making program for international students.

They
traveled from all areas of the United States, including Milwaukee, St. Louis,
Chicago, California and Texas, and some drove all night, to attend the one-day
class in the first cohort of a residency program designed specifically for
international students. Two additional cohorts are scheduled to begin later
this year.

  

Pavani Guggilam asks a question at the session at Campbellsville University's Louisville Education Center. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

“The
Campbellsville University School of Business and Economics is extremely excited
to serve such a diverse group of students,” Dr. Pat Cowherd, dean of the
school, said. The School of Business and Economics is investigating other
programs that are attractive to international and domestic students in
Louisville.

Chris
Sanders, director of the Louisville Education Center and former director of
international education at the main campus, said, “Campbellsville University is
dedicated to international diversity, so this is a logical next step in
continued growth with international programs.”

Campbellsville
University has more than 300 international students (about 400 now with the new
Louisville program), including more than 25 ESL students at the Louisville
Education Center.

“With
my experience in international education, this brings me great joy that we are
thinking globally,” Sanders said. “This will contribute to the recognition of
Louisville as a world port of industry by bringing programs that have a global
mindset. We are preparing students for the future, and this is a fantastic
opportunity to open the door to a population Campbellsville University hasn't
worked with before, especially at the Louisville Education Center.”

Dr. Shane Garrison, dean for the Center of Online Education at Campbellsville University, welcomes Svavan Budpharajei to the Louisville Education Center. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

Abdul
Sami, a student from India living in Chicago, is very excited to start the
program. He came to the U.S. in September after living in Australia for five
years, and hopes to move to Louisville soon.

 

Nikhita Musunuru, left, registers for classes with Dr. Chris Conver, facilities coordinator and assistant professor of theology, at the Louisville Education Center. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

Chaitanya
Chelle, also from India, has several friends in the program. “I'm excited to
interact with and learn from other Indians,” she said. She doesn't know what
she wants to do when she completes the program, but said she is focusing on her
studies and that will come later.

“I
am deeply impressed by the dedication of these students,” Dr. H. Keith Spears,
vice president for communication and assistant to the president at
Campbellsville University, said. 

“They
have overcome tremendous challenges: finances, visas and even the weather.”

A
few students even took a quick tour of the main campus in Campbellsville, Ky.,
by accident. Ahmad Abualrub, a student living in San Francisco, arrived at the
Louisville airport in the wee hours of the morning, took an Uber ride to
Campbellsville in 18-inch snow, got stuck and dug himself out. Then learned he
was at the wrong campus. But he still made it to Louisville in time for the
class.

“This
is the dedication we're seeing,” Spears said.

About 80 students from India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Jordan who gathered at Campbellsville University's Louisville Education Center today, Jan. 23, pose for a group shot along with representatives from both the Louisville Education Center and the main Campbellsville University campus.  (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

Here is a link to photographs
from the event on the Campbellsville University Flickr page at https://flic.kr/s/aHsksiU3g2.

For
more information on the new program, contact Sanders at the Louisville
Education Center, located at 2300 Greene Way, Louisville, or via email at cmsanders@campbellsville.edu.
He can be reached at by phone at (502) 753-0264 or 1-877-4CU-GRAD. You can also
go to louisville@campbellsville.edu or www.CULouisville.com.

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.