By Anne K. Galito, assistant director of university communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. –“It’s a good year to be at Campbellsville University, a year like no other,” said Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, to CU’s students, faculty and staff during CU’s Centennial campus kickoff Wednesday, Aug. 30.
“As we move through our Centennial year, I hope you can keep and pass along a sense of gratitude and appreciation to the several thousand individuals who helped bring you to this point.”
The kickoff was held during the opening chapel/convocation service at Campbellsville Baptist Church.
Carter encouraged students, faculty and staff to follow what Jesus said in Matthew 10:38-39 by saying “He who does not take up his cross and follow is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.”
“Hopefully and prayerfully Campbellsville University is about setting this standard just as she has been doing for 100 year,” said Carter.
A Centennial portrait was commissioned by the CU Board of Trustees and was unveiled during the service. Bille Sue Kibbons, a 1975 CU graduate and former staff member, painted the Centennial portrait titled “From Dreams to Reality.”
“The painting deeply depicts the past 100 years with warmth and love,” said Carter.
Kibbons, Carter, the Rev. John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and Dr. David Morris, CU’s chair of the Board of Trustees, unveiled the painting.
The painting contains images of buildings on the CU campus, the Maple Trail and buildings from CU’s past.
She said the painting “is about dreams and progress. The warm colors depict the happiness and excitement of Campbellsville University’s progress over the past 100 years.
“May the dream continue and the painting be a reminder of the dreams from the past.”
Prints of the Centennial painting can purchased for $25 each and can be mailed for an additional $5. The prints are 20” x 24”. For information on purchasing “From Dreams to Reality” contact Amanda Smith, secretary to vice president for finance and administration, at (270) 789-5304 or amsmith@campbellsville.edu.
According to Dr. Frank D Cheatham, vice president for academics, there are over 500 new students on CU’s campus for the fall 2006 semester. This includes both freshmen and transfer students.
“We’re looking forward to a great year,” Cheatham said. “It’s an exciting time.”
Jessica Martin, CU’s Student Government Association president and a senior at CU, offered a charge to the students present at chapel/convocation saying “the Centennial year offers many unique opportunities that no other student has had.
“We will be the 100th class at CU to make a difference in the world. Make the most of this year at Campbellsville University; get involved and make a difference on your campus.”
Jennifer Tinnell, director of marching band and instructor of music, was presented with the 2006 Non-Tenured Faculty Excellence Award during the service.
New faculty members were also introduced during chapel/convocation.
CU Sound, CU’s men’s quartet, performed during the service. They presented the audience with a new arrangement of Campbellsville University’s school song “Campbellsville, We Love Thee.” Matt Hodge, a CU sophomore music student from Louisville, Ky., prepared the arrangement.
The group also performed the Kentucky state song, “My Old Kentucky Home.”
Chapel/convocation is designed to provide opportunities for corporate worship and exposure through a variety of informative speakers and presentations. All chapel/convocations are open to the public free of charge. For information, call the Office of Campus Ministries at (270) 789-5227.
Campbellsville University, now celebrating her Centennial year, is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of over 2,200 students who represent 100 Kentucky counties, 32 states and 28 foreign nations. Listed in U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” 14 consecutive years as one of the leading Southern master’s colleges and universities, Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his eighth year as president.