Nov. 25, 2013
For Immediate Release
Dr. Michael V. Carter, who is in his 15th year as president of Campbellsville University, speaks at the Thanksgiving chapel. (Campbellsville University Photo by Rachel DeCoursey)
By Jose Soriano, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University came together to celebrate the meaning of Thanksgiving at chapel Nov. 20 with Dr. Michael V. Carter, president, telling faculty, staff, students, coaches and guests, “It is all about making it count, making a difference.
He said thanksgiving can be explained in two ways, personally and professionally. Personally will be described as the time you spend with your family and close ones, as well as professionally will be the one spent with those with whom you and those who you spend so much time with. But it all comes down to the same definition — giving and making a difference, he said.
Thanksgiving is the time to celebrate what we have, therefore CU’s mission is to create moments like that, so people can be thankful for what they have. It is all about giving for CU he said.
“Thankfulness is expressed in words, but measured with actions,” Carter said. That is why Campbellsville University spends year long being thankful to those who make this happen and to those who need something to be thankful for and deserve it.
CU has been the author of many events that have helped the communities of the U.S. and the world, such as Missions to Haiti and several other places, blood drives, sports clinics, environmental related works, social works and counseling, handing out Life Books and giving speeches to athletes, freshmen participating in Repair Affair to help those with building projects, visits to elementary and middle schools, food drives to send to needy countries, free concerts; and Operation Christmas drive, among others.
CU students Katy Johnson, Katy Coury and Beth McConnell, all of Campbellsville; Amber Hurm of Philpot, Ky.; and Kassie Little of Brookport, Ill., all from the history department, gave a brief history of Thanksgiving.
Students from the theater department, Ian Shephard of Somerset, Ky.; Michaela Parker of Oak Grove, Ky. and Tyler Litton of Hodgenville, Ky. gave dramatic readings from the Bible.
Marilyn Goodwin, assistant professor of early childhood education, gave a report on Operation Christmas Child. Campbellsville University is a relay station for the collection of the shoeboxes that go all over the world.
The Thanksgiving program is a production of the Reuben and Jewel Robertson Worship Endowment established by the Rev. and Mrs. R. Boyd Robertson. The purpose of which is to encourage authenticity and vitality in the corporate worship of Baptist people.
The Rev. John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president, gave the explanation for the endowment.
Dr. Wesley Roberts, professor of music, played the organ prelude and postlude.
Dr. Tony Cunha, dean of the School of Music, and the University Chorale led in singing of hymns.
Dr. John Hurtgen, dean of the School of Theology, gave the invocation, and Dr. Shane Garrison, assistant professor of educational ministries, gave the benediction.
Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for what we have, but we can practice it every single day, making a difference, making a statement, making someone else’s day better, Carter said.
Carter quoted: “And he sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” – Mark 9:35.
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. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.