March 10, 2010
For Immediate Release

By Christina Miller, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.—Campbellsville University has established a partnership with Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, located in Pineville, Ky., to offer 18 hours of the master's of theology on Clear Creek's campus, and 21 hours through the online master's program.

“We are very pleased to have this new partnership with Clear Creek Baptist Bible College and grateful that the opportunity has opened up for the two institutions to have a closer working relationship,” Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said.

“Both Campbellsville University and Clear Creek have long histories of serving Kentucky Baptists and producing numerous pastors, missionaries and Christian servant leaders. No doubt, this new partnership will further benefit Kentucky Baptists and Southern Baptists as we provide graduate theology studies for students in Eastern Kentucky,” Carter said.

Dr. Donnie Fox, president of Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, said, “The question of offering master's level courses at Clear Creek has been debated for some time.  While we saw the need and heard the requests from our alumni and others, we sensed God's direction for us at this time was to concentrate on the bachelor level classes that have been our specialty for so long.

“This partnership with Campbellsville University will allow us to continue in what God has called us to do and still contribute to a first class master's level program by hosting classes on our campus.”

Dr. L.C. Kelly, founding president of Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, “had a heart for Campbellsville and a vision for Clear Creek,” Fox said. “He also was burdened for the educational opportunities of Appalachian ministers in eastern Kentucky.  He would no doubt see God's hand in this partnership.”

Kelly was also a founding member of Russell Creek Academy in 1906, which is now Campbellsville University.
Both Baptist institution presidents agree working together is a benefit.

Carter said, “Certainly, the kingdom of God will be enhanced by the work we are doing in partnership.”
Fox said, “We hope Campbellsville University will be able to expand their ministry to some in the Pineville area who may not have been included apart from this cooperative effort.  We see the opportunity to host these classes on our campus as not only a service to our alumni but to our community.

“We would like to see this partnership grow through the years, and see many of our graduates stay to do master's level work right here at home.”

Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 3,006 students who represent 97 Kentucky counties, 30 states and 37 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report's 2010 “America's Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 23rd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South, tied for fifth in “most international students” and fourth in “up-and-coming” schools in baccalaureate colleges in the South. CU has been ranked 17 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America's Best Christian Colleges® and to G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his 11th year as president.