By Gerard Flanagan, news writer and photographer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.—Dr. Tony Cunha, dean of the School of Music and interim chair of the Department of Art and Design at Campbellsville University, encouraged the pinning and hooding candidates for music and art to never “quit dreaming” during the School of Music and Department of Art and Design's pinning and hooding ceremony in The Gheens Recital Hall.
Art pinning candidates are as follows: Ayreal Allen of Campbellsville, Ky.; Shane Dick of Russell Springs, Ky.; Germaine Dunn of Campbellsville, Ky.; Hunter Sallee of Elk Horn, Ky.; and Anna Webb and April Webb, both of Magnolia, Ky.
Music pinning candidates are as follows: Kaleigh Foster of Campbellsville, Ky.; Abigail Russell of Jamestown, Ky.; Robin Rutledge of Magnolia, Ky.; and Jared Walker of Campbellsville, Ky.
Music hooding candidates are as follows: Samuel Adams of Winchester, Ky.; Stephanie Allen of Brooklyn, N.Y., Hannah Amburgey of Campbellsville, Ky.; and Lyndsey Bell of Louisville, Ky.
Cunha read from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, which begins by saying, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
“The time to celebrate has come,” Cunha told the candidates. “It is here.”
Cunha acknowledged the many obstacles and challenges the students faced as they pursued their degrees.
“We have good times and bad times,” Cunha said. “Winter and summer. Sunshine and rain. The author of Ecclesiastes calls our attention to the following: ‘For everything, there is a season.' Life is not only full of contrasts but also a combination of contrasting seasons.”
“The burden of the proper time,” as Cunha said, is something we all face.
“You had to overcome the many situations involving time, and here you are, celebrating graduation after two, three, four, five years of hard work,” Cunha said. “Perhaps you got caught in the burden of the proper time trap and forgot to dream.
“Unfortunately, so often, we are too busy to dream.”
Cunha quoted Ecclesiastes 11:4: “Those who watch the wind do not sow; and those who observe the clouds do not harvest.”
He used the verse to encourage the students to press on despite any difficulties they face.
“Achieving your dreams will not come easy, and it won't be cheap,” Cunha said. “You will have setbacks along the way. However, you will gather experiences, emotions, knowledge, self-awareness and wisdom.”
Cunha reminded the students of Ecclesiastes 3:11: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
“You kept going, moving, pushing forward, and here you are,” Cunha said. “We are proud of you. Today is a beautiful day. It's your day. May God bless you as you begin a new journey with many dreams.”
Dr. Eldia Golighthly, adjunct faculty in the School of Music, gave the processional. Dr. Wesley Roberts, who recently retired as professor of music, gave the opening prayer. Dr. Bill Budai, associate dean and professor of piano, gave the closing prayer.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that has enrolled up to 12,000 students yearly. The university offers over 100 programs of study including doctoral, masters, bachelors, associate and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.