April 27, 2016
For Immediate Release
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| Dr. Donna Hedgepath, vice president for academic affairs and professor of education, on left, and Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, present the Miss and Mr. Campbellsville Award to Bethany Lester and Fontez Hill. ( Campbellsville University Photo by Drew Tucker) |
By Jordan Snider, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Fontez Hill of LaCenter, Ky. and Bethany Lester of Danville, Ky. were surprised with the announcement of being Mr. and Miss Campbellsville University recently.
Every year the Student Government Association administers the vote for Mr. and Miss Campbellsville University. The ballots are sent to faculty and staff to vote on a graduating senior who represents the university as a great all around student, based on scholarship, leadership, character and potential for success.
Lester was honored with the title of Miss Campbellsville. Lester is a May 2016 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in art.
Dr. Michael V. Carter, university president, said, “During her time at Campbellsville, Bethany has consistently demonstrated the attitude of Christ by displaying her servant’s heart in many areas. She has been involved in many missional opportunities such as her trip to Haiti in 2015. She has also served on numerous Discipleship Now weekends and is very involved in Baptist Campus Ministry. While not busy with classes or serving in these areas, Bethany has been active in other organizations such as the psychology and art clubs, Psi Chi Honors society, choir and Marching Band.”
Lester said she was in complete shock when she found out she was receiving the Miss Campbellsville University award that morning. She didn’t realize she had achieved so much during her time at Campbellsville.
Lester said receiving this award was eye-opening to the fact that it is possible to make a difference in your life as well as other around you. “You never know who you might be impacting by being kind or showing the strength you get from God,” she said.
“Campbellsville means many things to me. It has been a place where I have gotten a great education, but has also been a home. The faculty/staff and students I’ve met along the way have changed my life and have helped me discover myself through learning opportunities, friendships, and other experiences,” Lester said.
Lester shared how Campbellsville has impacted her life. “This has been a place of growth. During this time in my life, I have received so many blessings from God, and have seen Him work in amazing ways in my life and the lives of those I’ve come in contact with. I’ve learned how to love the Lord and people more deeply! I’ll leave this place with more wisdom, compassion and strength than what I came with.”
Fontez Hill was honored with the title of Mr. Campbellsville. Hill is a May 2016 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Carter shared why he, the faculty and staff, felt Hill deserved the title of Mr. Campbellsville.
“During his time at Campbellsville Fontez has served in numerous areas including: the broadcasting department, Baptist Campus Ministry and assisting church recreation at Campbellsville Baptist Church all while working as a resident assistant in North Hall and being a true student-athlete playing on the football team.
“Fontez has consistently demonstrated the servant oriented character we hope all students at Campbellsville aspire to have.”
Hill had no idea he was going to be receiving the award, as his friends wouldn’t let him look at the program and his family and friends who knew kept it a secret from him.
“This award is such an honor and blessing,” Hill said. “Two of my friends were Mr. And Miss Campbellsville University when they were seniors so it was cool following in their footsteps. I have always felt like God wanted me here at this university but getting this award definitely gave me assurance that I was meant to be here. I wouldn’t be the same person I am now if I would have attended a different college,” Hill said.
Hill said Campbellsville has surrounded him with great friends and great professors.
“Throughout my four years here, I have developed wonderful Christian friends who kept me in check when I wanted to go back to old my old ways. I have learned how to be tough in situations where I just want to give up but instead I kept trying which produced positive results later. With all that I was involved in, my communication skills have grown tremendously. I used to be a quiet, shy kid but now I feel like I can talk to anybody comfortably.”
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering over 80 programs of study including 24 master’s degrees, seven postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.