Feb. 10, 2014
For Immediate Release

By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Dr. Joseph Owens of Lexington, has been elected as chair of Campbellsville University's Board of Trustees for the third consecutive one-year term, according to an announcement by Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University.

Owens, a 1977 alumnus originally from Lebanon, Ky., was elected chair at the recent board of trustee meeting. He has served as a member of the board since 2004 and chair since 2012. Officers serve one-year terms, and board members serve four years. His board membership will expire on Dec. 31, 2016.

Dr. Mike O'Neal, senior pastor of Campbellsville Baptist Church, and Steve Wright, managing member of The Wright Legacy Group LLC of Magnolia, Ky., were selected as new board members. Their terms expire in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Others elected include: Guy Montgomery of Louisville, vice chair; Shirley Whitehouse of LaGrange, Ky., secretary; Jerry Blankenship of Louisville, assistant secretary; Dr. Doug Feltner of Campbellsville, Ky., academic chair;

Dr. David Morris of Warsaw, Ky., associate trustee, advancement chair; Henry Lee of Campbellsville, Ky., business chair; the Rev. Matthew Smyzer of Louisville, Ky., student services chair; and the following at-large members: Morris, Dr. E. Bruce Heilman of Richmond, Va., Dr. Larry Noe and Alex Montgomery, both of Campbellsville, and Dr. Jay Conner of Brentwood, Tenn.

Owens said he wants to work to ensure that all students are afforded an education in spite of their financial standing and that the university remains true to her mission and vision.

Owens, who is senior pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky., said he will continue to “assist our president in ensuring that CU has the financial, facility and people resources needed to actualize his vision.”

He said it is also “imperative that we work to ensure that all students are afforded an education in spite of their financial standing. This is especially important to me as I reflect on my own past limited funding and the financial support afforded me by CU.”

Owens was one of seven children born to George and Grace Owens of Lebanon, Ky., where they still live.
He graduated from Campbellsville University in 1977 obtaining a bachelors of arts degree.

“I am grateful to God for the academic, spiritual, emotional and social foundation received at CU, which enables me to be a contributing member of God's family,” he said.

“Campbellsville played a major role in nurturing and preparing me in answering my call. I deem it an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to serve and give back to a place that nurtured me.”

Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said, “Dr. Joseph Owens is providing vital leadership for Campbellsville University's Board of Trustees during these exciting days. His strong voice, spiritual discernment in Christ and love of CU are evident in all board meetings and discussions.

“Dr. Owens is very active as board chair, and his availability and encouragement are always a source of empowerment for our faculty, staff, administration, coaches and students.

“As we move forward in the implementation of ‘Vision 2025,' our very bold blueprint for the future, the influence of Dr. Owens is very much evident. We appreciate his sacrifice of his time, spiritual gifts and resources as chairman of the Board of Trustees at Campbellsville University.”

After graduating from CU, Owens attended The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., and received a master of divinity and master of religious education. His received his doctor of ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

From an alumni perspective, Owens said he views the Board of Trustees as “participating in changing the lives of thousands of students who will one day touch the lives of millions of people around the world.”

As chair, he believes that role is one of “a major servant leader role that allows me to lead the way in commitment, service and sacrifice.

“I am excited about this opportunity to bring to life the mission and core values of CU. The decisions we make as trustees profoundly affect every aspect of campus life.”

Owens has served on the Board of Trustees for the past eight years and said his appointment as chair “gives me an even greater opportunity to give back to an institution that means so much to my family and me.”

Over the past 35 years as an alumnus of CU, he has served in various capacities on several of the volunteer boards. He is also a member of the Campbellsville University Church Relations Council.

Having worked with CU President Michael V. Carter as a member of the Board of Trustees, Owens said, “We have the finest university president in the nation. Dr. Carter's passion, vision and leadership have elevated us to heights greater than we could have ever imagined 100 years ago. Our president has the ability to conceptualize, articulate and execute a bold vision for the next century.

“As chair, I want to continue the awesome legacy of all the former chairpersons who served at CU. We must all work together to ensure that this university will be here for many years to come,” Owens said.

Owens is married to Elizabeth White Owens of Jacksonville, Fla., who he met in 1973 at Campbellsville University. Mrs. Owens is a child guidance specialist with the Fayette County Schools. He and his wife have two children, Charisa Jené and John Mark.

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.