By Ashley Sidebottom, staff writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Campbellsville University alumni and friends can now purchase a newly-designed license plate to support CU.
The new license plate went on sale Jan. 2 at all county clerk’s offices. The original license plate design, which because of statutory restrictions united all 20 independent colleges under a common background and color scheme, reached the end of its state-mandated five year life cycle in 2007.
Thanks to advances in license plate printing technology and the cooperation between the Association for Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, this evolved into an opportunity for AIKCU campuses to develop their own identities.
Now, instead of only having a sticker for distinction, each private college and university will have its very own completely unique license plate design.
“We are extremely thrilled about our new license plate design,” said CU President Michael V. Carter.
The license plate was designed by Mauro Cavassana, public relations specialist in the Office of University Communications at CU. The design was awarded an “Excellent” at the recent CASE-Kentucky Conference in northern Kentucky in December 2007.
“I encourage everyone to buy the Campbellsville University license plate to show off our institution, and at the same time, support the general scholarship fund that helps keep CU an affordable place to find your calling,” Carter said.
The new license plates will cost $44 to purchase or renew in 2008, and will cost $31 to renew in subsequent years. Plate renewal is by birth month, but you must check with your local county clerk about early renewals, as some counties have restrictions on renewing early.
Ten dollars from the sale of each plate is returned directly to each college’s general scholarship fund.
The license plate sales are also part of a “Battle of the Bumpers” competition sponsored by AIKCU, which challenges supporters of the 20 independent colleges to outsell each other and see who can raise the most money for student scholarships.
Centre College has won the “Battle of the Bumpers” competition for the past four straight years, and was followed closely by Transylvania University last year, with Georgetown College coming in third place.
“Our new, unique license plate design will be sure to stand out amongst other college and university plates, and we want to be sure to give those other schools a run for their money in the ‘Battle of the Bumpers’ competition while raising money for our scholarship fund,” said Benji Kelly, vice president for development at CU.
Plates must be purchased from your local county clerk’s office.
Campbellsville University 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 2,405 students who represent 98 Kentucky counties, 25 states and 29 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2008 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South and eighth in the South for “Great Schools, Great Prices.” CU has been ranked 15 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his ninth year as president.