Nov. 16, 2015
For Immediate Release
By Rosemary Flores, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, and his wife Debbie, are partnering together with several groups on the campus of Campellsville University to host a Memorial Tree Lighting and Candlelight Service in front of Ransdell Chapel, Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.
In the past, the Student Government Association (SGA) has sponsored a traditional tree lighting ceremony, but this year the ceremony will be done differently.
“After a silent prayer walk through my village one night about two months ago, I realized that death had directly affected eight of my Phase One Women’s Village Residents,” Elisha Lawrence, resident director at Campbellsville University, said.
“As I lifted them up in prayer, the idea of a memorial tree lighting ceremony came to mind. I could not dismiss the harsh reality of the sting of death nor the grief to follow even into the holidays,” she said.
The Carter family is donating a Christmas tree to be placed in front of the Ransdell Chapel. This service is for all Campbellsville University students, faculty, coaches and the public to attend.
All students are welcome to give the names of their past loved ones to their residence life contact and all faculty and staff email the names to Elisha Lawrence at eblawrence@campbellsville.edu by Monday, Nov. 30. The memory of all of the individuals will be recognized at the service.
The event is designed to be a night of healing and remembrance, Lawrence said.
The Tree Lighting and Candlelight Service will be followed by an invitation to attend the Baptist Campus Ministry’s Annual Christmas Party at the Badgett Academic Support Center, where students can also see special information and holiday memories on display from Campbellsville international students.
Other Campbellsville University organizations and offices involved in the event include Church Outreach, International Student Association, Center for International Education and the Office of Counseling Services.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.