March 9, 2012
For Immediate Release
Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear welcomed Campbellsville University students and leaders in the Capitol Feb. 22. From left are: Rep. John “Bam” Carney (KY 51), CU vice president for academics Dr. Frank Cheatham, CU student Courtney Claywell from Albany, CU student Lauren Goodin from Columbia, Senator Jimmy Higdon, (KY 14th District), CU student Zach Smith from Russell Springs, Gov. Beshear, CU president Dr. Michael V. Carter and vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president John Chowning. (Campbellsville University Photo by Linda Waggener)
By Linda Waggener, marketing and media relations coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear welcomed Campbellsville University students and leaders in their first stop at the State Capitol Wednesday, Feb. 22. The CU delegation made the trip to say “thank you” and affirm the efforts of Kentucky’s legislators to continue financial aid support of students like the three represented.
On the trip from CU were President Michael V. Carter, vice president for academic affairs Dr. Frank Cheatham, and vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president John Chowning. They were accompanied by three CU School of Education juniors: Courtney Claywell from Albany, Lauren Goodin from Columbia and Zach Smith from Russell Springs.
![]() |
Ruth Ann Shaw is a Page Mom, a supervisor for the eight full-time pages who come to the State Capitol every day and for the visiting pages when the legislature is in session. Every regular session of the General Assembly, a group of young persons is selected to assist the members of the General Assembly in the capacity of the House page. Mrs. Shaw is the daughter of the late Dr. J. Chester Badgett for whom CU’s Badgett Academic Support Center is named. (Campbellsville University Photo by Linda Waggener) |
In answer to legislator’s questions about what is being done to make a college education more affordable, Carter said
the KEES Matching Scholarship Program is a primary example of how CU is adding value to state financial aid programs. In this 2012-13 academic year, CU has expanded its KEES Matching Scholarship Program to $1,500 for students in 14 core counties in our service area: Taylor, Green, Adair, Marion, Casey, Russell, LaRue, Hardin, Pulaski, Cumberland, Hart, Metcalfe, Nelson and Washington.
Carter said, “We’re one of the lowest anywhere on annual increases and we work daily doing everything we can do to contain costs. We have consolidated personnel positions, asked present employees to be more efficient, and we are extremely careful in the way we spend our capital dollars.” He added that CU is taking green initiatives seriously, making sure with every added structure that all have smart utility controls to cut off or cut down usage when there is low or no activity.
Students were introduced in the offices of the state’s leaders, starting with that of Gov. Beshear. Teaching moments occurred throughout the day as Goodin, Smith and Claywell observed activity on the floor of the House. Some of the best moments came when state government was reflected through the eyes of CU alumni who are now working in the capitol
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu