Aug. 10, 2009
For Immediate Release
Campbellsville University master’s graduates receiving degrees Aug. 7 include from left: Front row — Hsin-Jung Chang, Pei-Yin Chen, Ming-Wen Chant, Mei-Ya Huang, Yi-Hua Huang, Yun-Hsuan Huang, Ya-Ying Lin, Chia-Hui, Shen, Min-Hsui Shih, Yu-Shin Tseng, Wan-Soo Cho and John Honeycutt, coordinator for international education. Back row — Dr. Lisa McArthur, associate professor of music; Dr. Heidy Ximenes, assistant professor of music; Dr. Jim Moore, professor of music; Dr. David Hedrick, adjunct instructor in music; Dr. Tony Cunha, assistant professor of music; Dr. Robert Gaddis, dean of the School of Music and professor of music; Dr. Scott Bersaglia, assistant director of bands and assistant professor of music; Dr. Mark Bradley, professor of music; and Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney)
Campbellsville University Holds Commencement Ceremony for 11 Students from Taiwan, South Korea
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Ten music students left their homes each summer for study in the United States for the last four summers. They left their families, their friends and their work.
It was all worth it as 10 students from Taiwan and one from South Korea received master’s degrees in a ceremony Aug. 7 at The Gheens Recital Hall at Campellsville University.
Hsin-Jung “Vicky” Chang, Ming-Wen “Francis” Chang, Pei-Yin “Edda” Chen, Mei-Ya “Gloria” Huang, Yi-Hua “Eva” Huang, Yun-Hsuan “Nicole” Huang, Ya-Ying “Amy” Lin, Chia-Hui “Elly” Shen, Min-Hsui “Jessie” Shih and Yu-Shin “Sindy” Tseng, all from Taiwan, received master of arts in music degrees.
Wan-Soo Cho of South Korea received a master of music in church music degree. He will be teaching at Campbellsville University.
“You’ve worked hard. You’ve spent a lot of hours practicing. We really congratulate you for your amazing feat,” Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs, told the graduates.
He said music and math are universal languages and the students have bonded and made lasting friendships that will last a lifetime.
The graduates hold American flags while singing a hymn during the commencement ceremony. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney)
Cheatham told them that part of their responsibility as CU graduates was to spread the word about Campbellsville University in their homeland.
Dr. Robert Gaddis, dean of the CU School of Music and professor of music, said he will be visiting Taiwan in October to discuss the possibility of having some sort of educational experience there.
“We are proud of you, and we look forward to a long relationship with you,” he said.
Dr. Tony Cunha, assistant professor of music, gave the charge to the graduates and told them they had faced many trials and had overcome them.
He said the commencement ceremony seals their triumphs. He told them to enjoy today but that tomorrow is the beginning of the rest of their lives.
“Graduate school ends, but learning never stops,” Cunha said. “He said they need to work hard to be the best they can be. He told the students, most of whom are music teachers in Taiwan, that they can now teach their students what they’ve learned in the United States. He said he hoped some of them get their doctoral degree.
He also told the graduates to not forget CU and to spread the word about the institution and to keep in touch.
At left, Hsin-Jung Chang shows off a gift she received for earning her master of arts in music degree. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney)
John Honeycutt, coordinator for international education, told the graduates they had given up a lot to come study at CU.
“This (your degree) is the fruits of your labor,” he said. “This commencement speaks well of you, your country and Campbellsville University.”
Dr. Keith Spears, vice president for regional and professional education, told the students, “We are so very, very proud of you. You have worked hard.” He urged them to keep learning every day.
He said CU plans to look into education in Korea and Taiwan, and “We know that there are many students who can’t come here to school. We hope to take education to you.”
Dr. Scott Bersaglia, assistant director of bands and assistant professor of music, gave the invocation, and Dr. David Hedrick, adjunct instructor in music, gave the benediction.
Eldia Carla Farias, a graduate student from Brazil, played the piano for the event. Dr. Mark Bradley, professor of music, led in singing of a hymn.
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 11th year as president.
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