May 18, 2011
For Immediate Release

By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Dr. Bill Mackey, executive director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, was presented the Campbellsville University Leadership Award, Campbellsville University's commencement May 13.

Mackey, who was the commencement speaker for the graduate ceremony, was given the Leadership Award by Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of CU; Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs; and Dr. Joe Owens, vice chair of the CU Board of Trustees and pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky.

In making the presentation, Carter said Mackey was given the Leadership Award due to “his strong support of the Christian higher education mission of Campbellsville University.”

Carter said, “The Campbellsville University Leadership Award has its roots in the pioneering spirit that brought higher education and its succeeding growth to Kentucky. The award, a special recognition in Kentucky-cast bronze, is the revered great seal of Campbellsville University, proclaiming the universal attributes of fellowship, leadership and scholarship.”

The award is given following the university's legacy of more than a century of commitment to Christian principles in higher education.

Mackey became executive director of the KBC in 1998 and has “served
in this capacity with passion, commitment and a servant's heart through the years,” Carter said.

He said Mackey is retiring this month from this position in order to spend time with his wife, Kay, and they will be moving back to North Carolina in order to spend time with their five grandchildren and extended family.

“However, there is no doubt that Dr. Mackey will remain active in Christian service and simply moving into a new era of active ministry,” Carter said.

During his tenure at the KBC, Mackey has been a strong advocate of Christian higher education and has made numerous visits to the Campbellsville University campus, Carter said.

“He has been a very strong proponent of CU and has pointed out in numerous venues how Baptist higher education is an important means of fulfilling the Great Commission,” Carter said.

Mackey is a graduate of North Greenville College and Furman University and has a B.D. and D.Min. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has completed a number of specialized educational programs and seminars that have enhanced his leadership roles.

Prior to coming to the KBC, Mackey was the director of evangelism for the South Carolina Baptist Convention for a number of years and previously served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Whitesburg, Ky. and associate pastor of First Baptist Church of Middlesboro, Ky.

Mackey has served in a number of denominational leadership roles at the association and convention levels.
He spoke at the 2000 commencement at Campbellsville University and received an honorary doctorate of divinity degree from CU on that occasion.

In his address to the graduate students, Mackey quoted from Philippians 1: 9-11, encouraging passages which he said told the graduates God's purpose for their lives. He urged them to lead a Christian life and career and to grow in love for Jesus and one another.

“God is at work in you,” he said. Mackey said we can be blameless through the work of God through forgiveness of the cross.

“Grow in love and grow in relationships with others,” he said.

A total of 517 students received degrees, pending completion of all academic requirements. There were 119 graduate student degrees awarded May 13 and 262 students receiving undergraduate degrees May 14. December's class consisted of 136 graduates.

Of the 119 graduate degrees, there were: master of arts in organizational leadership, three; master of arts in social science, five; master of arts in special education, 41; master of business administration, 24; master of music in piano pedagogy, two; master of music in church music, one; master of music in performance, six; master of arts in education, five; master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages, five; master of music in music education, one; master of social work, 12; master of theology, seven; and master of science in counseling, seven.

The following undergraduate degrees included: bachelor of arts, 19; bachelor of music, four; bachelor of science, 162; bachelor of science in business administration, 42; bachelor of social work, 10; associate degree in nursing, 15; and associate of science, 10.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate programs, 17 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.