By Christina Miller, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.—“Campbellsville University has been in the business of preparing educators since the very beginning,” Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said at the School of Education prayer walk March 30.
The building is located at 302 N. Hoskins Ave., Campbellsville.
Administrators, faculty and staff, alumni and current students gathered to celebrate the past, present and future of the education department and dedicate the building to Christian servant leadership.
All had the opportunity to pray for the building and the educators who would come through the building and eventually go out into the world teaching others. Many wrote their prayers and favorite scripture on the floors and walls of the unfinished building.
Dr. Carolyn A. Garrison, professor of education, began with a quote from the 2004 yearbook, “There are so many memories that are made throughout life and what makes those memories special are the people.”
Throughout her speech, Garrison referred back to several students she once had in class. One student had come back to thank Garrison for teaching him how to study and had introduced her to his children as the teacher who taught him how to study.
Garrison reminisced on another former student who invited Garrison into her classroom and was introduced to the students as “her teacher.”
Don Cheatham, an alumnus who now serves as instructor of education/CIS, said, “CU is family to me.” Seven of the nine Cheathams in his family attended Campbellsville University with six of them receiving teacher certifications.
He said, “With God’s guidance… we will continue to produce those teachers. We are training our youth for tomorrow.”
Dr. Beverly Ennis, an alumna who now serves as assistant professor of education, said, “It’s a pleasure to have students come back and say, ‘You made a difference.’”
Ennis reflected on education as a circle. “You influence lives and they influence lives,” she said. “I can’t think of a better place to end my career but here in this building.”
Dr. Donna Irwin, an alumna and associate professor of education, reminisced receiving her very first paycheck as a teacher. She said, “I can’t believe I get paid to do this. I could do this without getting paid, if I could afford it.”
Irwin also said going to home is like going to work because Campbellsville University is her home.
Dr. Teresa Spurling, an alumna and assistant professor of education, said, “I’m proud this (building) will be here for future students to become the best teachers in the world.”
Mallory Farquhar, a senior elementary education major from Columbus, Ohio, who is student teaching at Campbellsville Elementary School, spoke on the future of educators who will be taught in the new building.
“As Christian educators we may make a difference in a student’s life, even if only for one fleeting school year,” she said.
Farquhar ended with a quote from John C. Maxwell, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs, left words of wisdom for all educators, “The best teachers teach from the heart, not the book.”
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 tenth year as president.