By Shelby Lynn Cash, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Dr. Johnnie Clark, a member of the Campbellsville University Board of Trustees, became an honorary alumnus of the institution at Homecoming during the Alumni Banquet.

At Campbellsville University, an honorary alumnus is a person “who exemplifies the essence of what it means to be a Christian servant leader,” according to John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president of Campbellsville University.

“Certainly, Dr. Clark exemplifies the essence of what it means to be a Christian servant leader,” Chowning said.

Clark, a resident of Louisville, Ky., is an 11-year member of the Campbellsville University Board of Trustees. He was recommended to Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, and Chowning in 1999, by Dr. Lincoln Bingham, senior pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church at Shively Heights in Louisville, Ky.

Bingham said Clark would be a person who would bring leadership qualities to CU's Board of Trustees. Carter and Chowning met Clark for lunch one day, and they immediately knew that Bingham was right. “Dr. Clark was going to be a positively perfect addition to the board,” Chowning said.

Clark became the first African-American member of the CU board, and he has been there to provide “quiet strength and wisdom through the past 11 years to what is a very fine group of men and women,” Chowning said.

Chowning said Clark has had a very rewarding career. He worked with the United States Postal Service as an investigator and equal employment opportunity officer. He also formerly was the executive director of the Baptist Fellowship Center in Louisville, Ky., which is the oldest joint ministry of National Baptists and Southern Baptists in the nation.

He moved to Louisville from St. Louis with his family and then became involved in a number of organizations in the Louisville Metro area. He has been an active member and leader with the NAACP, Urban League and YMCA, and he is a veteran of the United States Army.

Clark has studied at Simmons College of Kentucky where he is also a trustee member, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Postal Academy and the American Management Academy.

Until recently, Clark was the pastor of Burnett Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky.

Clark was married for many years to his wife, Evelyn, who died a few years ago. He has four daughters and three sons, 17 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Clark said he appreciates the motto of “Find Your Calling” that CU uses. He said about his own call to ministry that, “I was shocked when God called me…”

Clark said, “I'm extremely optimistic about the future of Campbellsville Universit We have a great leader in our president, Dr. Michael Carter, and we have a great faculty, staff and wonderful students.

“I've very encouraged by what I see here.

“Christian higher education is essential to the future of our country. We need institutions like CU where students are encouraged to live their faith, make something of themselves, and then our nation will be a better place.”

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 45 undergraduate programs, 16 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is Campbellsville.edu.