By Jesse Russell, student news writer, Office of University Communications

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - There is just something about Mercer County.
In 1958, Gene and Jan Parrott Robinson, who live in Burgin, Ky., were named Mr. and Miss Campbellsville Junior College. Sixty years later, Landon Dean Rogers and Christy Baxter Ingram, both of Mercer County, were named Mr. and Miss Campbellsville University.

There is just something about the people in Mercer County who exhibit qualities necessary for winning the award.

Ballots are sent to Campbellsville University faculty and staff to vote on the graduating seniors who represent the university as a great “all-around student, based on scholarship, leadership, character and potential for success,” according to Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of the university, who made the announcement at the annual Honors and Awards Day.

The students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and maintain a student status of “good standing.”

Ingram said having been given the Miss Campbellsville University title is “extremely humbling; I feel very undeserving of this award, so it came as quite a shock.”

Ingram said she was honored to follow after Mrs. Robertson.

“After hearing a little about her, watching her receive her diploma this past December and realizing that she lives in Burgin, the community I grew up in, I feel like it adds a unique twist to receiving this award.

“Then, to receive the award alongside Landon, who I have gotten to know quite well in my time here, and lives about five minutes from my parents' house just added to the whole affect.”

Rogers agreed with Ingram about following in the footsteps of Gene Robinson.

“Mr. Robinson lives right behind me,” he said. “He is a very nice man, and his wife is a very sweet lady. My family has known them for years, which is what makes this whole experience so funny. I think that it is too cool to have our little town represented this way. It's not very often that Burgin shows up the way that it did at Awards Day.”

Ingram graduated in May with a Bachelor of Social Work. She was involved in many activities while at CU and has been a member of the dean's list and worked as an intern Enrollment Services.

One of her closest friends said: “She is by far one of the most optimistic, sweet, caring and genuine people that I know. She always exhibits the grace and joy of life throughout our campus.

“She is always ready to lend an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on and a smile to brighten your day.

“She has a strong passion for diversity and helping the marginalized and the less fortunate, which is evident in her numerous relationships and tutoring sessions with international students from all over the world on campus and her commitment to Kentucky Refugee Ministries where she dedicated her time over the summer.”

Ingram was involved in the HOLA Spanish Club that strives to break the cultural stereotypes and build relationships across cultural boundaries. She also attended the social work trip to help people recover after Hurricane Harvey.

She worked at Campbellsville's Kid Spot Center that specializes in providing rehabilitation therapy, community living support and behavior support services to children ages birth to 21 of all levels.

Ingram said, “It is so easy for me to see how the Lord has orchestrated opportunities for me during my time at CU. The people I have met, the trips I have been on, the experiences I have had, the lessons I have learned, while not all good, have been so intricately working together that there is no way I can take credit for any of it. I am thankful to CU for being the place the Lord saw fit for all of this to play out.”

Ingram is a 2014 graduate of Mercer County Senior High School and plans to earn her master's in social work degree. She is the daughter of Mike and Ellen Ingram.

Rogers, the grandson of Sandy Rogers of Harrodsburg and the late Marion Rogers, and the son of the late andrea Rogers Carey, is a 2013 graduate of Burgin Independent High School

Rogers graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades 5-9. He wants to teach social studies.

Landon said, “I am ecstatic about the award. I think that it is an extreme honor, and I can think of no other way to sum up my career at Campbellsville than with that award.”

Rogers believes the future of Kentucky lies within its schools, which is why he chose to be an educator. He has a passion for helping students achieve their goals and do their best. He said a good teacher employs skills that their students can use both inside and outside of the classroom such as “empathy, public speaking and how to participate in humanity.”

While at CU, Rogers was on the dean's list, served as a resident assistant, a summer ministry team member, member of Student Government Association, the Baptist Campus Ministry and the History Club. He also participated in Phi Alpha Theta, Church Outreach, Kentucky Education Association - Student Program and Tuesday Night Live.

Rogers said, “I love CU; I am very proud of my school.”

Mrs. Robinson, the 1958 Miss Campbellsville Junior College, received her associate of science degree in social studies at the December 2017 commencement ceremony after almost 60 years.

Dr. Donna Hedgepath, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said of the Robinsons: “Six decades later they continue to love Campbellsville University more and more with each passing year.”

Campbellsville University is a widely-acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 10,000 students offering over 90 programs of study including 20 master's degrees, six postgraduate areas and seven pre-professional programs. The university has off-campus centers in Kentucky cities Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset and Hodgenville with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro, Summersville and Liberty, all in Kentucky, and one in Costa Mesa and the Silicon Valley in California, and a full complement of online programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.