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| The planting kicked off at CU’s Earth Day 2014 celebration April 22. From left, standing, are Campbellsville Mayor Tony Young, CU president Dr. Michael V. Carter, Taylor County Judge Eddie Rogers, guest speaker Dr. Matthew Sleeth, SGA president Jacqueline Nelson, LG&E KU representatives Rhonda Rose, Gidget Stubbs and Tiffany Cox, and Green Minds student representatives Constanze Sophie Mälzer and Ana Gonzalez. In the front row, from left, are visitors Yoonseo Nam; Yunisha Richerson, Kaylynn Smith, Sarah Adkins, Blake Settle behind Sarah, and Caiden Yocom. (CU Photo by Ye Wei “Vicky”) |
By Linda Waggener, marketing and media relations coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Campbellsville University celebrated Earth Day April 22 at the Turner Log Cabin Park where CU students, guests, faculty and staff were joined by students from Campbellsville Independent Schools for the traditional planting of trees and flowers.
President Michael V. Carter said, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s grace.” He thanked each participant, from the young visiting elementary students to platform guests and CU students, faculty, staff and guests who contribute to the continuation university work of environmental stewardship.
Carter introduced LG&E KU energy guest Rhonda Rose who spoke of the corporation’s environmental mission and their support of Clay Hill Memorial Forest.
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| John Chowning, at the podium, a leader in development of Earth Day activities on CU’s campus, announced a support donation he and his wife Cathy were making for use by Green Minds. There to accept the gift for the organization were Green Minds student representatives Constanze Sophie Mälzer and Ana Gonzalez, at left, and Gabriel de Freitas at right. (CU Photo by Ye Wei “Vicky”). |
Dr. John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president, and his wife, Cathy Pence Chowning, made a donation to Green Minds. He said, “Earth Day has special a meaning with an emphasis on stewardship from a Christian perspective.”
Chowning introduced guest Dr. Matthew Sleeth, noted creation care/earth stewardship speaker, writer and head of the Blessed Earth organization. Sleeth made brief comments and was also the speaker at the Kentucky Heartland Institute on Public Policy (KHIPP) event that evening.
Tony Young, mayor of Campbellsville, and Eddie Rogers, Taylor County judge/executive, participated with the reading of an Earth Day proclamation from the city and county.
International education students (getting names) spoke on CU’s Green Minds organization which has doubled in membership and activity in the past year.
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| Paul Osborne, CU trustee and head of grounds and landscape development, rode his Trek to the Earth Day celebration on April 22. He is an avid biker and among the leaders of the Campbellsville-Taylor County Trail Town development. (CU Photo by Linda Waggener) |
Dr. Richard Kessler, associate professor of biology and environmental studies Program Coordinator at Campbellsville University, organized two additional earth stewardship activities announced at the event. On Wednesday evening the first Earth Week movie night was held in Mobley Theater, “Life of Pi,” with free popcorn; and Friday, April 25, an inaugural Earth Week Hike was scheduled at Clay Hill Memorial Forest.
The events were co-sponsored by Campbellsville University’s Green Minds, the Environmental Ethics class and Student Government (SGA).
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| The view from the Turner Log Cabin front porch as Earth Day 2014 attendees began to gather. (CU Photo by Linda Waggener) |
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs.