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| Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, answers questions at the first chapel at CU Jan. 15. Others responding to student questions include from left: Dave Walters, vice president for admissions and student services; Heith Hall, director of food service for Pioneer College Caterers Inc.; Dr. John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president; Benji Kelly, vice president for development; and Dr. Frank Cheatham, senior vice president for academic affairs. (Campbellsville University Photo by Rachel DeCoursey) |
By Kevin Thomas, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Campbellsville University begin its 2014 chapel program Jan. 15 with a theme of “Finding Your Compass” led by the senior staff of Campbellsville University.
The Rev. Dave Walters, vice president for admissions and student services, asked students to perform random acts of kindness as well as “paying it forward” when he requested them to “find your compass” for life.
He gave examples of students putting these ideas into action such as the Cookies for Trash program, where students bake cookies and go around to residence halls and exchange them for trash, which they later dispose of. They also make use of this opportunity to share about Jesus and the gospel.
The Campbellsville University soccer team also took the concept of giving back by working with the local youth soccer program on Saturdays.
Benji Kelly, vice president for development, spoke on the nature of giving, in relation to the contributions and donations made to Campbellsville University over the years.
Kelly said, “There are alumni, friends and trustees who are giving of their finances each year to fund scholarships so that your education can be more affordable.”
Kelly said students can pay it forward to the next generation. He said, “In the next few weeks, we’re going to have our spring telethon. We ask students to come and call some of our alumni and friends and ask for donations to our Scholarship Fund.”
Dr. Frank Cheatham, senior vice president for academic affairs, announced Dr. Dale Wilson has joined the CU faculty. Wilson is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Liberty University and a Ph.D. in public safety with an emphasis in criminal justice from Cappella University. Wilson is assistant professor of criminal justice for Campbellsville’s campus and CU’s Louisville Center.
Cheatham spoke of the Quality Enhancement Plan for Campbellsville University, which is a component of the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools reaccreditation. The plan is a focused project for the next five years which involves both students and faculty, staff and coaches. Cheatham said, “It’s something that affects all students, not just a small group.”
The Quality Enhancement Plan focuses on ethical thinking.
Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, and masters. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.
The staff gave students an opportunity to text questions addressing any concerns or comments they had in regard to the university. Questions ranged from tuition fees to the amount of chicken wings served for Monday night’s dinner.
Heith Hall, director of Pioneer College Caterers Inc., the university’s food service, responded to a question regarding the amount of “flex bucks” that students can use at places like Books n Beans, Starbucks®, Chick-fil-A Express® and the new Papa John’s/Tigerville Grille. He announced another $50 will be added to the students’ allotment to use for the fall semester.
Dr. John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations, answered in response to why there is no Sunday church service available in Ransdell Chapel.
He said, “We have currently in our community over 110 churches available in the area in a wide variety of traditions and doctrine. We would encourage our students living on campus to attend and engage in one of those churches.”
Chowning said many other groups meet and hold worship around campus.
Dr. Michael Carter, president of Campbellsville University, closed the service by referencing to the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Church of Philippi addressing the nature of paying it forward and Christian servitude.
Carter said, “Life does not always go in a straight line; our mission at Campbellsville University is to help prepare you when the curves come.”
Carter encouraged students for the new semester to make the most of it and for students to “work for consensus, work with people not against them, place others first and you’ll find your compass and you’ll begin to pay it forward.”
Dr. Donna Hedgepath, dean of the School of Education, led the invocation. Dr. Tony Cunha, dean of the School of Music, led the congregational hymn. Special music was provided by CU Sound and led by John Rausch, head men’s and women’s bowling coach.
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.