Campbellsville University

CU’s ‘Yellow Brick House’ dedicated as Mary Colvin Crabtree Guest House

CU’s ‘Yellow Brick House’ dedicated as Mary Colvin Crabtree Guest House

05/28/2015

Everett and Rose Colvin stand in front of the new "Mary Colvin Crabtree Guest House," which is named in honor or their late daugther.

Everett and Rose Colvin stand in front of the new “Mary Colvin Crabtree Guest House,” which is named in honor or their late daugther. From left are faculty members from Campbellsville University’s School of Business and Economics, where Everett worked as a professor: Dr. Vernon Roddy, professor of economics; Jennifer Graham, instructor in business and assistant to the dean for the School of Business and Economics; Everett; Rose; Davaajargal Dorjsuren, instructor in business administration and international business advisor; and Dr. Joe Foster, assistant professor of business and economics. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney)

May 28, 2015
For Immediate Release

 

By Drew Tucker, communications assistant

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - On a cool and sunny afternoon, tears were shed at Campbellsville University's dedication of the “Yellow Brick House,” renaming it the Mary Colvin Crabtree Guest House recently.

Everett Colvin give thanks at the renaming of the "Yellow Brick House" to the "Mary Colvin Crabtree Guest House" in honor of his late daughter.
Everett Colvin give thanks at the renaming of the
“Yellow Brick House” to the “Mary Colvin Crabtree
Guest House” in honor of his late daughter.
(Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C.
McKinney)

“Mary always had a smile. This house reminds me of her so much. We are so honored for this event. Thanks to everyone involved,” Everett Colvin, former CU business professor and alumnus, said with a smile and tears.

“We gather here to express our appreciation for Rose and Everett Colvin for the way they have chosen to remember their daughter, Mary Colvin Crabtree,” Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said.

Carter said a great Christian university is known by her hospitality, and CU is committed to providing a warm and caring environment to her guests.

“Thank you to two individuals who wanted to make a lasting contribution for CU to be able to be the type of institution known for her hospitality,” he said.

Pam Tennant, student center coordinator, spoke of two great loves: the Colvins and the house. She said she and her husband, Otto, vice president for finance and administration, have been in Campbellsville for 16 years, and passed the house every day going to work, always wanting to go inside because they loved historical houses. It was acquired by CU 11 years ago and was soon rented out to several people, including the Tennants.

“While I was here for those months I began to love this house with a passion,” she said.

During her time there, she began fixing it up, including bringing in her own furniture while their new house was being worked on.

“By the time we were ready to move out, there was talk of turning this house into a dorm. I thought ‘Oh, no!' and came up with an idea for a guest conference house,” she said.

Other ideas included using it as CU's School of Nursing location.

  A picture of Mary Colvin Crabtree now hangs in the Guest House.
A picture of Mary Colvin Crabtree now hangs in
the Guest House. (Campbellsville University Photo
by Joan C. McKinney)

The Tennants had known the Colvins for years from church and living close to each other on Lebanon Avenue, admiring each other's houses due to their history. The Colvins eventually moved to Missouri to be with Mary during her final days, and stayed there to be with their granddaughter.

“They loved Campbellsville and this house,” she said. “When it became a guest house, I knew they would love it. They are happy as they can be when they use this house as their own when they come into town.”

She said they loved the house because of how unusual it was and the history behind it, being the first house built on farmland.

“The people who lived here has each one of these bricks brought in from Pennsylvania. You don't see yellow brick like this anywhere near Campbellsville,” she said.

Tennant said they've also bought new countertops and beadboarding to match the original walls.

“They've been a wonderful family to run this house,” Tennant said.

Benji Kelly, vice president for development, said the house has served Campbellsville University well since it was purchased. He said about five years ago the Colvins made a gift to CU's endowed scholarship in the memory of their daughter, helping to build a new carport and driveway.

“I know you love this place, and I know your daughter would be proud,” Kelly said.

At the conclusion of the dedication, the Colvins took a picture of their daughter inside the house to pick a spot for it to be hung.

Pam Tennant, left, presents a baked good to Rose and Everett Colvin as a housewarming gift for the renaming of Campbellsville University's "Yellow Brick House" to the "Mary Colvin Crabtree Guest House" in honor of their late daughter.
Pam Tennant, left, presents a baked good to Rose and Everett Colvin as a housewarming gift for the renaming of Campbellsville University's “Yellow Brick House” to the “Mary Colvin Crabtree Guest House” in honor of their late daughter. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney)

Carter said Campbellsville University is deeply appreciative to the Colvins for allowing CU to participate in the memory of Mary, and he hoped when people entered the house they would know “how precious, wonderful and a beautiful person she was.”

Dr. Frank Cheatham, senior vice president for academic affairs, said a prayer of dedication. Kelly gave the invocation.

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.