By Ariel C. Emberton, student news writer, Office of University Communications

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - “People here want me to succeed. They want me to grow as a student, musician and educator,” Cassidy Allgood, a senior of Louisville, Ky., said.

Allgood was one of two students who spoke at the Campbellsville University Women's Alliance Brunch on April 5 in Winters Dining Hall.

The Women's Alliance was started to build a bridge between campus and the community.

One of the biggest items the alliance focuses on is the student emergency fund. Debbie Carter, Carver School of Social Work director of recruitment and community relations and assistant professor of social work and assistant to the president for development, said the “emergency fund is to help students who have a crisis.” The money can be used for a range of reasons including travel expenses for a student to get home for an emergency or for parents to come to Campbellsville.

Carter said, “Students are the reason we are here and without them we wouldn't have a purpose.”

The cost of the brunch was $20 per person and all the proceeds went to the fund for student use.

Each year, the brunch features a different group from Campbellsville University. This year, the School of Music was featured. Two students were selected to represent the School of Music and talk about how Campbellsville University has impacted their lives.

Allgood has been playing the trumpet since fifth grade and through her life has used music to help calm her down and express emotions. “Music is a big part of my life,” Allgood said. She is studying music education and wants to help those who stress like she did.

Allgood played her trumpet and was accompanied on piano by Dr. Bill Budai, associate dean of the School of Music and associate professor of piano.

Ashley Randoll, a freshman of Marion, Ill., also spoke at the brunch. Randoll talked about how she experienced many traumatic events through her life from death to losing her childhood home in a fire. “During all the heartbreak, the only constant was faith and music,” she said. She said music can create a sense of belonging.

Randoll sang “Take me to the World” and was assisted by Jordan Amburgey, a senior of Hazard, Ky., on piano.

The Campbellsville Youth Choir was also present at the brunch and performed two songs. The first was led by Bethanee Tate, a senior of Campbellsville, Ky. Tate is student teaching under Cyndi Chadwick at Campbellsville Elementary School. Chadwick, who led the second song, is the director of the Campbellsville Youth Choir as well as Campbellsville Elementary's music teacher.

The Campbellsville Youth Choir is compiled of fourth to eighth grade children from Taylor County, LaRue County and Adair County. They are versed in all types of music from folk to classical.

Dr. April Sholty, associate professor of music education, said, “Youth choir is a labor of love.” Sholty has spent her life doing music and said she is blessed to have been able to do so.

She said the School of Music is “always open, always active and always making music.” She thanked Carter, the Women's Alliance, Pioneer College Caterers and the Office of Development for their contribution to the brunch.

Campbellsville University is a widely-acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 12,000 students offering over 90 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The university has off-campus centers in Kentucky cities Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset, Hodgenville and Liberty with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville, all in Kentucky two in California at Lathrop, near San Francisco, and in Costa Mesa, and a full complement of online programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.

Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.