Jan. 22, 2014

By Drew Tucker, communications assistant, and Kevin Thomas, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Campbellsville University's Carver School of Social Work and Counseling graduated 24 students on Dec. 13.

“The Carver School and its mission to prepare generalists in advanced practiced social workers is proud to add these 24 graduates to our body of Carver School alumni who currently work in the field of Social Work and Clinical Practice,” Dr. Darlene Eastridge, dean of the Carver School of Social Work and Counseling, said.

“A great number of this afternoon's honorees have worked toward this degree while tending to children, taking care of parents, taking care of home, working in public jobs, doing a field placement, going on mission trips, providing church service and being very active in the life of your average everyday typical student,” she said.

Eastridge said it is very challenging to complete a degree and continue with all the demands of life as the students have done.

“Their completion of this degree demonstrates their fortitude to improve themselves as a professional and their passion for changing the world. This afternoon we celebrate their accomplishment through our traditional pinning ceremony in recognition of phi alpha omega induction honorees.”

When walking across the stage, Eastridge asked the graduates to think about those who have helped create their financial aid package and supported them.

“When I went back to school, at age 24, it was a dream because I never thought I could afford it,” she said. “Because of someone in the financial aid office, or a counselor, who helped me see that it was a possibility that I could go to college, my dream became a reality.”

She asked them to the take time to “thank those people for the help that they have provided to you and to also thank your parents and your partners, your children who have made sacrifices, your family, your friends, your field directors, your advisers - all the people who have worked to support you and gave you unyielding encouragement that you could make it through this program.”

“We're proud that we're celebrating this milestone,” she said. “We are pleased that you are here at this milestone.”
Dr. Kellie Cody and Dr. Jennifer Lanham, assistant professors of social work, initiated the graduating candidates into the Carver School of Social Work and Counseling charter chapter of Phi Alpha honor society.

“The highest honor that one can achieve in Social Work at Carver School has been extended to you because you are a proven candidate for initiation and have met all the requirements for our organization,” Cody said.

Master of social work degree recipients were: From left - Shawnta Vaughn, Michaela Vaillant, Jennifer Morgan, Alison Lee, Heather Keith, Bridgette Honaker and Ramona Brewer. (Campbellsville University Photo by Drew Tucker)

Anne Adcock, lead instructor of the Somerset Education Center of the Carver School, said, “I think it is an honor to work in Somerset, and there is nowhere else I'd rather be. We're a little separated from our main campus - we have a unique group of students over there, and our students this year are no exception.”

Somerset's program also has a Social Work Club, which Adcock said “is extra active.” Somerset students hosted a Christmas party for about 200 children and their parents, including a full dinner and decorations. They also worked with Cardboard Nation, for which they raised $3,000 for a homeless shelter soup kitchen. In addition, students in the program also made a donation to the local domestic violence shelter and prepared desserts for over 400 people at a local soup kitchen.

“Our students in Somerset really get the concept of Christian servant leadership that is so important here at Campbellsville University,” she said.

Darrell Locke, field director and assistant professor of social work, along with Adcock, introduced the students receiving baccalaureates of social work, who were pinned by Dr. Helen Mudd, BSW program director.

Bachelor of social work degree recipients were: From Campbellsville, Ky. - Margo Carey, Debbie Huff, Lisa Matney, Courtney Mills and Jessica Paris.

From Louisville, Ky. - Bridgett King-Daily, Melissa Landram, Christian Nally and Shavone Williams.

From Somerset, Ky. - Tammy Bowlin, Anthony Evans, Brian Huber, Chelsea Humble, Kelsey Isaacs, Paige Jones and Linda Rex.

Dr. Michelle Tucker, assistant director of the master's of social work program, introduced the MSW graduates, who were pinned by Dr. Candice Hansford, associate professor of social work. Eastridge hooded the students.

Master of social work degree recipients were: Ramona Brewer, Louisville, Ky.; Bridgette Honaker, Somerset, Ky.; Heather Keith, Monticello, Ky.;

Alison Lee, Hopkinsville, Ky.; Jennifer Morgan, Elizabethtown, Ky.; Michaela Vaillant, Louisville, Ky.; Shawnta Vaughn, Louisville, Ky.; and Ashley Ware, Russell Springs, Ky.

Anthony Evans, graduating bachelor of social work recipient, spoke about his life struggles, addictions and redemption through a poem he wrote and recited.

Debbie Carter, director of recruitment and community relations, performed the benediction.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 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.