By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University received $10,000 from the Rowland Foundation recently at a ceremony in Winchester.
Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs, accepted the check on behalf of Campbellsville University President Michael V. Carter.
The donation will provide 10 scholarships for full-time students who have completed the university’s Summer Education Experience (SEE) program.
“CU appreciates the mission of the Rowland Foundation in its support of
Christian causes,” Cheatham said.
“This grant will be very valuable in helping 10 students afford a quality education at CU.”
The Rowland Foundation Donor-Adviser Fund gave out $108,000 in grants to various organizations. The Rowland Foundation is affiliated with the Clark County Communication Foundation that awarded $227,500.
Carla Van Meter, president of the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors, said the Rowland Foundation was established by Ray Rowland to benefit Christian organizations and other charitable organizations and will continue to make their own grants. This is the first time the Rowland Foundation has been affiliated with the Community Foundation, she said.
The Rowland Foundation gave out grants between $5,000 and $50,000. William Shelton, chair of the board of the Rowland Foundation, is a former member of Campbellsville University’s Board of Trustees.
Fifteen students from Kentucky and other states are enrolled in this year’s SEE program to get a head start on their college career.
They have been given the opportunity to grow academically and socially, according to Kevin Propes, director of the Center for Introductory Studies.
“The SEE program is definitely a life-changing experience for these underprepared students who otherwise would not likely earn a college degree,” Cheatham said.
“Their success rates are significantly higher than other remediation students. The retention rate is nine percent higher than other remediation students at Campbellsville and the graduation rate is two percent higher than the national average for remediation students.”
The SEE began in 2003 with funding from the Richard D. Van Lunen Foundation. The university has been funding the program since 2005.
Since the program’s inception in 2003, 112 students have completed the SEE program. One hundred students have improved their placement scores and became exempt from one or more introductory studies courses after they completed the SEE program.
Ninety-six students have attended two or more semesters, with 51 currently enrolled as full-time students. Forty-seven students have completed two or more years of college.
Fifteen students are in the current class, which ended July 25, and 13 students are on track to graduate in May 2009. Nine students have graduated already with baccalaureate degrees.
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 2,405 students who represent 98 Kentucky counties, 25 states and 36 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2008 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South and eighth in the South for “Great Schools, Great Prices.” CU has been ranked 15 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.