John Chowning, Dr.

Dr. John Chowning has served in senior leadership at Campbellsville University for over three decades. He served in the administration as vice president and executive assistant to the president from 1998 until 2016 when he retired from full time work at CU – he was then named a vice president emeritus and now works part-time as executive assistant to the president for government, community, and constituent services for the CU president. He also served two terms on the Board of Trustees and was board chair. Chowning is in his 30th year as the pastor of Saloma Baptist Church near Campbellsville with an emphasis on the involvement of the church beyond the four walls of the building. He worked at the Lake Cumberland Area Development District in the late 1970’s in housing and community development; then spent three years with the City of Campbellsville in the same field; and was as a partner in a professional consulting firm for over a decade. He was director of federal programs and economic development during the first few years of the tenure of former U.S. Representative Ron Lewis. He was also a public-school teacher early in his career and has taught several political science and courses at CU. Chowning is a native of Cumberland County, Kentucky where he and his family owned and operated a family farm until late 2020. He and his wife, Cathy Pence Chowning, are the parents of four children (including triplets), all of whom are proud CU alumni, and the proud grandparents of four grandchildren. He and Cathy met at Lindsey Wilson College where they both graduated with associate degrees in 1971. John received his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Transylvania University; Master of Public Administration from Eastern Kentucky University where he completed additional graduate courses in education; and completed several theology courses via the Memphis Theological Seminary’s program of alternate studies. He received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Campbellsville University in 2013. Download Bio