By Christina Miller, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Patrick Reed, superintendent of Mammoth Cave NationalPark,will lead the first of three sessions in the fall 2008 semester Environmental Studies Speaker Series at Campbellsville University.
During the first session, Reed will share the wondersof Mammoth Cave and somechallenges of managing this national park, according to Dr. Richie Kessler, associate professor of biology and environmentalstudies program coordinator. The first session will be Friday, Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. in the Student Union Building Banquet Hall.
Reed is a 38-year career veteran of the National Park Service. Reed transferred to Mammoth Cave in January 2006, from Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, where he served as superintendent for 14 years. While at the National Military Park, he worked with the Friends of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park on many projects and developed a formal agreement with the Friends of Moccasin Bend National Park.
During his time at Mammoth Cave, Reed has been active in building partnerships in neighboring communities, has initiated a comprehensive trail management planning process, and is moving forward with a large and ambitious construction program.
He serves on the board of directors of the Southeast Tourism Society and the Kentucky Tourism Council and is an active partner with the Barren River Development District, Caveland Marketing Association, area Chambers of Commerce, Western Kentucky University and other educational institutions, elected officials and a wide variety of scientific, educational, environmental, historic, and visitor service groups and organizations.
Reed began his career at Mt. Rushmore National Monument in South Dakota as a seasonal maintenance worker in 1969 while still a college student. After becoming a permanent employee in 1970, he was consistently promoted to positions in several different national parks and national memorials all over the United States.
Reed is a native of Iowa and a 1971 graduate of Iowa State University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Resource Development for Outdoor Recreation.
Mammoth Cave is the 11th park for Reed and Darit, his wife of 35 years. They have two grown daughters, Shannon and DJ, who both reside in Colorado, and two grandsons.
Other sessions in the speaker series include Jane Eller, director of the Kentucky Environmental Education Council who will be speaking Oct. 31, and Dr. William H. Martin, chair for the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund and forest ecologist, who will be speaking Nov. 7.
All events are at 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. Reed will speak in the Student Union Building Banquet Hall; Eller will speak in the SUB Atrium; and Martin will speak in room 220 of the Science Building from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
For more information, contact Kessler at (270) 789-5326 or rkkessler@campbellsville.edu.
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 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 tenth year as president.