By Ariel C. Emberton, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Ashli Watts, senior vice president of public affairs for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce who is a 2004 Campbellsville University graduate, will be the speaker this year for Campbellsville University’s two ceremonies Saturday, May 4 where 266 undergraduates will graduate. Master’s students graduate Friday, May 3 with 1,903 receiving diplomas for a total of 2,174 graduates. All will take place in the Powell Athletic Center gymnasium at 203 Tiger Way, Campbellsville.
Master’s degrees will be awarded in 19 different programs. The largest area of participation for a masters at Campbellsville is the Master of Science in Information and Technology Management with 1,625 obtaining this degree.
James “Buzz” Cason will be receiving the Honorary Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree during the master’s ceremony Friday, May 3. Cason was one of the founding members of The Casuals, Nashville’s first rock and roll band. He has worked in many aspects of the music industry from writing songs to founding the Creative Workshop recording studio.
Cason is begin recognized for demonstrating strong Christian faith and for being a servant leader within his church and community.
He is a former member of the Campbellsville University Board of Trustees.
Watts spearheads all lobbying and advocacy efforts for the state’s largest business association. Prior to joining the chamber in November 2102, Watts worked for the Kentucky Bar Association and the Legislative Research Commission.
A graduate of Campbellsville University, Watts obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History. She also holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Louisville.
Watts is from Frankfort and is married to Ryan Watts. They have two children, Emma and Carter.
Watts will be receiving the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, a prestigious award presented to graduating seniors, alumni and community members of selected colleges and universities in the Southern United States for excellence of character and service to humanity.
Jessica Johnson, a senior of Clarkson, Ky., will be receiving the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for a graduate senior. This award is given to the student whose character, dedication and service sets them apart from others.
Johnson has worked as an intern in the Office of Enrollment Office in 2016 and in 2019 she became a natural science tutor in the Campbellsville University Badgett Academic Support Center. She has served as the secretary for the Student Government Association since spring 2016 and is highly active in her church community.
The following degrees will be presented during the master’s ceremony:
Master’s in Business Administration, 27; Professional Master’s in Business Administration, 48; Master’s in Management and Leadership, five; Master’s in Justice Studies, 10; Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language, five; Master of Science in Information Technology Management, 1,625; Master in Theology, eight; Master of Arts in School Improvement, four;
Teacher Leader Master of Arts in Special Education, four; Teacher Leader Master of Arts in Education, 16; Master of Arts in Sport Management, five; Master of Arts in Music, one; Master of Music, three; Master of Music in Education, one; Master of Social Work, 121; Master’s in Marriage and Family, 10; Master of Arts in Education in School Counseling, 12: Master of Arts in Educational Administration (Principal P-12) – Rank I, one; and Master of Arts in Special Education, one.
Two undergraduate ceremonies will take place at 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. May 4, both in the Powell Athletic Center gymnasium. Two-hundred and fifty-five undergraduate degrees, a combination of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science, will be presented on Saturday. Out of the undergraduate degrees, 185 will be from an area of study, 81 will be a major with 56 having a minor. Eleven students will be graduating with their associate degree.
There will be a graduate walk before each ceremony. Students will need to meet at Montgomery Library 45 minutes before their commencement is scheduled to begin: 1:15 p.m. on May 3 and 8:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. on May 4. All will leave from Montgomery Library.
For more information on commencement, contact the Office of Student Records at (270) 789-5150 or Jennifer Lauer at jblauer@campbellsville.edu.
Campbellsville University is a widely-acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 12,000 students offering over 90 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The university has off-campus centers in Kentucky cities Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset, Hodgenville and Liberty with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville, all in Kentucky two in California at Lathrop, near San Francisco, and in Costa Mesa, and a full complement of online programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.
Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.