By Joan C. McKinney, director of university communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – J.B. Crawley, a former chairman of the Campbellsville University Board of Trustees, was honored with the bestowing of an honorary doctorate of public service at CU’s first fall commencement Dec. 14, 2007 in the Ransdell Chapel.
“The greatest honor that any university grants is the honorary doctorate degree,” said Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of CU. “It is an honor that is approved by the institution’s Board of Trustees and is given only to those who have displayed extraordinary service to the university, community and humanity. A Christian institution, such as Campbellsville University, also considers the spiritual contributions and Christian witness of recipients of this highest of distinctions.”
For more than a half century, Carter said, “Mr. Crawley has lived the life of a Christian servant leader — humbly serving his Lord and church, family, his professional field, and his community and state.
He said Crawley had demonstrated exemplary service to Campbellsville University, the larger community, his fellow man, and had served as a strong Christian servant leader.
Crawley served as a capital campaign chairman under the leadership during the presidential tenure of Dr. W.R. Davenport.
Carter said Crawley is also a committed Christian also having served as a deacon, Lay leader and talented Bible teacher at Campbellsville Baptist Church.
Carter has also served previously as the moderator of Taylor County Baptist Association and president of the Kentucky Baptist Brotherhood. He has also participated in a number of mission trips around the world.
Carter said Crawley is also a highly respected engineer who earned a diploma from the Lincoln Engineering School, holds the title of first engineer from RCA and the U.S. Navy. He has been widely recognized as a pioneer in radio development and has been recognized by the Kentucky Broadcasters Association for his innovation and contributions to the broadcast sector.
Crawley has owned and operated a number of radio stations in southern Kentucky, and his name is widely synonymous with being a pioneer in radio technology and broadcasting, Carter said.
Crawley and his wife of more than six decades, the late Elizabeth Perkins Crawley, are the parents of two children: Jim Crawley of Decatur, Ala., and Janie Crawley Killian of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. He has two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
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 29 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. 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 ninth year as president.