By Simon Baker, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky, – Tori McClure, who became the first woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean and who today serves as president of Spalding University in Louisville, Ky., will speak at Campbellsville University’s weekly chapel service on Wednesday, March 20.
The chapel will begin at 10 a.m. in Ransdell Chapel at 401 N. Hoskins Avenue in Campbellsville.
McClure has served as president of Spalding University since 2010. McClure has worked at Spalding University for over 25 years, starting at the university in 1998 and being a trustee for five years. She then became a vice president for six years before being named president.
McClure accomplished the feat of rowing solo across the Atlantic in 1999 after just 81 days at sea. A decade earlier, McClure completed a 50-day, 750-mile expedition to ski to the geographic South Pole. She is a fully certified emergency medical technician in both urban and wilderness areas and a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).
In her memoir, “A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean,” McClure details her life and historic journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
Previously, she served as a chaplain at Boston hospital, the director of a women’s shelter in Louisville, a policy assistant in the Louisville Mayor’s Office and Director of Development of the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville – the center’s first full-time employee.
McClure holds a bachelor’s degree from Smith College, a Master of Divinity from Harvard University, a law degree from the University of Louisville and a Master of Fine Arts in writing degree from Spalding.
McClure is a former Board Chair of the National Outdoor Leadership School, and she is a former Vice Chair and Interim Chair of the NCAA Board of Governors.
She also has received several notable honors, including the 2022 Peter J. Gomes, STB ’68 Distinguished Alumni Honors from the Harvard Divinity School; one of Greater Louisville’s Most Admired CEOs (Louisville Business First, 2021); the 2000 National Academy of Sports Editors’ Victor Award, 1999 Kentucky Derby Festival’s Silver Horseshoe Award; and the 1981 Spirit of the School Award from The Louisville Collegiate School.
Chapel is designed to provide opportunities for corporate worship and exposure through a variety of informative speakers and presentations.
Chapels can be viewed on YouTube by searching “Campbellsville University Chapel Playlist.”
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.