By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University graduated her largest class ever with over 500 students receiving diplomas over the weekend for the 2010-11 academic year.

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, 42; 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, six.

The following undergraduate degrees included: bachelor of arts, 22; bachelor of music, three; bachelor of science, 163; bachelor of science in business administration, 39; bachelor of social work, 10; associate degree in nursing, 15; and associate of science, 10.

Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said, “This is a very special day - a day that you as graduates and your family will long remember.”

Carter congratulated the students for their accomplishments and for the sacrifices they and their families have made to “reach this important milestone in your life and educational career.”

He urged each graduate to take a moment to express appreciation to their family, close friends, and CU faculty and staff who have “supported, encouraged and motivated you along the way.”

Dustin Ford of Campbellsville receives his associate degree in nursing at the undergraduate ceremony May 14 in Powell Athletic Center. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney).

“Today is a good day to take time to express your love and appreciation to those who have sacrificed along the way to help you reach this important milestone in your life,” Carter said.

He said, “The theme ‘Find Your Calling' is more than just a theme - it expresses the very essence of what we do and who we are as a community of learners seeking to provide quality Christian higher education to women and men of all ages with an emphasis on servant leadership.”

Carter said, “Regardless of the academic program and the professional path pursued, it is vital that each student come to some understanding that each of us is called to serve Christ through a lifetime of service. That has been, and remains, the distinctive mission of Campbellsville University.”

The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards recipients were, from left: Dr. James Jones, second from left, and Micah Spicer. Making the presentations were, from left: Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president foracademic affairs; Dr. Joe Owens, vice chair of the CU Board of Trustees; and Dr. Michael V. Carter,president of Campbellsvile University. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney)

The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award recipients were presented to Dr. James Jones, pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Campbellsville, and a member of the CU Board of Trustees and Church Relations Council, and Micah Don Spicer of Wingo, Ky., who is Mr. Campbellsville University and was the CU Student Government Association president.

“Campbellsville University was selected in 2002 to participate in this very prestigious awards program that honors the memory and legacy of the late Algernon Sydney Sullivan. There are some 50 colleges and universities in the South that are approved by the Sullivan Foundation to annually present these awards to one graduating senior and to one adult,” he said.

Carter explained that Sullivan was a lawyer, devout Christian, mediator, powerful and appealing orator, a courageous citizen during perilous times, a noted philanthropist and a devoted family man. In the words of a friend, Sullivan “reached out both hands in constant helpfulness to others.”

This is the ninth year that CU has given the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards.

Dr. Kevin W. Cosby, president of Simmons College of Kentucky and pastor of St. Stephen Church in Louisville, was presented the honorary doctorate of humanities degree. Cosby was the undergraduate commencement speaker May 14 at Powell Athletic Center.

Dr. Kevin Cosby, president of Simmons College of Kentucky and pastor of St. Stephen Church in Louisville, is presented an honorary doctorate of humanities by Dr. Frank Cheatham, left, vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University.(Campbellsville University Photo by Katie Johnson)

Cosby's address centered on the James Hall book, “Lost Island.” He told the graduates life is about losing our “islands” - places in which we experience each part of our life - and moving from one “island” to another.
He said we can't stop life and can't stop changing from island to island, but he told the graduates Campbellsville University helped them get to their next island, and they should realize the value of what CU gave them.

“Campbellsville University gave you wings,” Cosby said. “Don't let anyone take away your wings. Fly into the orbit of God and his kingdom.”

Dr. Bill Mackey, executive director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, who is retiring, was presented the Campbellsville University Leadership Award at the graduate ceremony May 13 in Ransdell Chapel.

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 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.

 

Carter charged the graduates in both ceremonies to make a difference in the world and to be proud graduates of Campbellsville University. He urged them “go forth and make fellowship, leadership and scholarship (words on the CU academic seal) a way of life.”

Ches Fuller, a 2011 master of business administration degree recipient from Lexington, answered the charge at the May 13 ceremony. He said Campbellsville University's faculty and staff comprise the heart of what a university should be.

He said CU fuses education with the word of God.

“Go forth as a representative of this university and take what you've learned and make a difference in the world by sharing the love of Jesus Christ,” Fuller said.

In answering Carter's charge at the May 14 ceremony, LeAnn Stanfield Straley of Campbellsville, president of the senior class, who received a double major in history and political science in three years, said, “Today we are college graduates and our lives become fresh again.”

She gave her fellow classmates three pieces of advice: “be true to yourself,” “believe in yourself” and “carry what we have learned at Campbellsville University throughout our lives.”

“We will continue to represent Campbellsville University and go out into our communities to lead and to serve.”

Co-valedictorians for the May 2011 class were: Matthew William Egbert of Madisonville, Ky.; Andrew Davis McNeill of Louisville, Tenn.; and Cory Mark Snyder of Campbellsville. Salutatorian for May 2011 was Adlee Faith Manion of Leitchfield, Ky.

Valedictorian for December 2010 was Benjamin Wylder Randall of Versailles, Ky.; and salutatorian for December 2010 was Kyle Alexander Romines of Campbellsville.

Herman Hardesty, a 1958 graduate of Campbellsville University, installed the alumni. Hardesty urged the graduates to keep in touch and stay connected with their alma mater.

Dr. Joe Owens, vice chair of the Board of Trustees, and pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Lexington, gave the invocation at both ceremonies.

Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs, presented the graduates at both ceremonies; and Carter presided during each ceremony. Dr. Jacquelyn Sandifer, associate professor of criminal justice and chair of the faculty forum, gave the benediction at both events.

Students and faculty of the School of Music presented music during the programs. Dr. Wesley Roberts, professor of music, was organist with Dr. Reese Land, assistant professor of music, playing trumpet. Dr. Mark Bradley, professor of music, led the congregation in hymns.

Students Eunhye Lee, Taeeun Moon, Zhui Zhang and Yuri Kim also performed as did the Campbellsville University Brass Ensemble directed by Dr. Robert Gaddis, dean of the School of Education.

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.