By Linda Waggener, assistant director of university communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The new Ransdell Chapel provided the setting for the first convo/chapel of the first school year of Campbellsville University’s second century.
“Welcome as we come together to officially begin the new academic year,” said President Michael V. Carter, “our 101st year of Christian education.”
He held a copy of a special issue of the news magazine U.S.News & World Report, and said, “Word arrived last week that CU has received the highest ranking ever, classified in a group of colleges and universities called comprehensive baccalaureate schools, in the top 25 in this category. We were thrilled to hear the news, having been ranked in the 60s and 70s in the past, that we were ranked 22nd in the south’s Best Baccalaureate Colleges.
“Then we discovered that we had additionally made a top ten list in terms of the category called ‘Great Schools, Great Prices.’ When you compare us, you’ll find that our price gives us a ranking of eighth in the south in educational value.”
A newly designed university banner was unveiled announcing that CU has been ranked 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.’
“This is the best ranking ever received in the 15 years of college ratings by the news source – a phenomenal recognition for CU and says to all, ‘you’ve made a great choice to choose Campbellsville University’.”
Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs, honored all new freshmen, telling them with a smile, “You only have 47 more convos to attend after today.” He then introduced the faculty as a group followed by the new faculty members individually:
Dr. Tony Cunha, assistant professor of music; Beverly Rowland, nursing instructor; Brandy Pierce, nursing instructor; Miriam Mullins, assistant professor of nursing; Reece Land, assistant professor of music; Max Wise, assistant professor of political science; Jill Day, assistant professor of human performance; Dr. Wendy Benningfield, associate professor of history; Michael Huff, professor of criminal justice; and Dr. Jaoko Japheth, assistant professor of professional counseling.
“Each fall,” Cheatham said, “we recognize a member of the outstanding non-tenured faculty. This season we recognize Dr. Donna Irwin.
“Dr. Irwin, assistant professor of education, brings a number of years in public education, holding both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in her field along with a doctorate from the University of Kentucky. In naming the many things she contributes to the department, I’d like to personally recognize her contagious smile and can-do attitude.”
Special guests in attendance were thanked for joining CU in a team effort for this special event, and personal thanks were extended from Dr. Carter to these additional participants who made the event happen:
CU Sound for the call to worship, Tim Hooper, director; Nevalyn Moore for the processional; Kegan Nall – SGA President, with the challenge to the students; Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs; Dr. Frieda Gebert, associate professor of music, associate Dean; the Rev. James Jones, CRC outreach special assistant, pastor Pleasant Hill Baptist Church for the invocation; the Rev. Bill Egbert, missionary-in-residence for the benediction; the Rev. Skip Alexander, pastor, Campbellsville Baptist Church; the Rev. James Bromwich, pastor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help; Dr. Dwayne Howell, faculty chair, associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew; Lindsay Hines, women’s golf and swim coach and Mark Alderson, men’s basketball graduate assistant for help with the banner unveiling.
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 2,310 students who represent 100 Kentucky counties, 32 states and 28 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. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his ninth year as president.