By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Campbellsville University celebrated the end of her $50 million “Transforming a New Generation: A Journey of Faith” Centennial Campaign recently with a record 5,000 donors contributing to the campaign’s success – ten months ahead of schedule.
“Campbellsville University has certainly been blessed abundantly by God during this Centennial Capital Campaign,” Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said.
“We selected the them of ‘Thanks be to God,’ adapted from 2 Corinthians 9:15, to express our heartfelt gratitude to God and the 5,000 plus donors who have given sacrificially to this campaign.
“As we remain faithful to God in the days that lie ahead, we will continue to progress in producing Christian servant leaders for this century.”
Several campaign completed goals were highlighted in a video celebrating Campbellsville University’s beliefs, dreams and accomplishments.
These include: 18 semesters of record enrollment, addition of 22 new academic programs including an associate degree in nursing; reduction of student-faculty ratio from 15-1 to 12-1, addition of 41 new endowed scholarships, increase of athletic corporate scholarships from three to 35, over 25 new-remodeled facilities, increase of total assets by $30 million and CU being named to U.S.News and World Report’s 22nd in the South’s Best Baccalaureate Colleges in 2009’s “America’s Best Colleges.”
“As people of faith, we must cast our faith in God – as we work to further the mission of CU,” Carter said. “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all that hope in the Lord,” Carter quoted from Psalm 31:24.
“Our hope is in the Lord, and we know that he is providing the guidance and inspiration as we prepare for the future,” he said.
Dr. E. Bruce Heilman, a member of CU’s Board of Trustees and a 1949 graduate of CU, who served as honorary campaign chair, delivered the centennial campaign celebration address.
“We have witnessed a milestone in the life and history of this institution which has completed its first 100 years of service,” Heilman said.
“Vision, ambition, confidence, enthusiasm and hard work have opened doors, behind which we have found our rewards,” he said. “CU is a viable university with a future far beyond what most from the past might ever have anticipated.”
“With an elevated spirit and an energized confidence, we can accomplish almost anything to which we set our minds,” Heilman said.
“When we raise the bar of expectation we force ourselves to succeed, above and beyond the ordinary, thus our new dream can be realized.
“Our spirit is reinforced by our commitment to serve the needs of others in a greater way. We did not come this far to stop,” he said.
Heilman said, “We must make big plans and aim high. Remember, when we capture the imagination, we capture life, reason and everything.”
Dr. Jay Conner, chair of the CU Board of Trustees, said, “From the bottom of our hearts, thanks. We have only just begun.”
He said champions do not become champions without preparation, and he said the Centennial Capital Campaign took hours, weeks, months and years of planning.
“We must move forward. We cannot rest. We have a mission to accomplish, and we are counting on this group to lead in the next campaign,” he said.
He thanked Heilman and called him a “president’s trustee and trustee mentor” who anticipates what the president and the school needs.
Carter and Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs, presented plaques of appreciation to Heilman and Dr. Morgan Patterson, scholar-in-residence at CU for the past eight years, who donated his salary to the campaign.
Patterson is a noted Baptist historian. He served as the president of Georgetown College from 1984 to 1991.
Other leadership roles in the campaign were held by Conner, Dr. David Morris, former chair of the CU Board of Trustees; and Dr. Larry Noe. The Board of Trustees, Advancement Board, Board of Alumni and Church Relations Council were also thanked for their contributions.
Benji Kelly, vice president for development, welcomed the donors to the dinner, and Dr. Jeanette Parker, assistant vice president for academic affairs, gave the benediction. Conner gave the invocation.
CU Sound, led by Tim Hooper, archivist for the university, provided music for the dinner. Members include students: Rachel Crenshaw of Shepherdsville, Ky.; Carmen Drake of Hodgenville, Ky.; Sarah Smith of Brandenburg, Ky.; MaryGrace Lee of Ponchatoula, Ind.; Chanelle Gardner of Campbellsville, Ky.; and Erin Johnson of Russellville, Ky. Matt Hodges of Louisville serves as composer for the group, as well, as playing keyboard. The remaining instrumentalists are Jon Chaudoin of Louisville at rhythm and Nathan Wilkerson of Munfordville, Ky., on percussion.
The group performs a wide variety of repertoire including Christian music, vocal jazz, a Capella and arrangements from musicals. The mission of CU Sound is twofold; first to proclaim the love of Christ through the medium of music and secondly to promote Campbellsville University by speaking to young people in schools and churches about the opportunities offered to students who attend CU.
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 2,601 students who represent 93 Kentucky counties, 27 states and 31 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2009 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South for the second consecutive year. CU has been ranked 16 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 tenth year as president.