May 9, 2015
For Immediate Release

By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Dr. E. Bruce Heilman, chancellor of the University of Richmond and member of the Campbellsville University Board of Trustees, told Campbellsville University undergraduates of the past and urged them to look forward to their future as he addressed graduates today in Powell Athletic Center.

CU graduated 143 master's students Friday night in Ransdell Chapel, with 274 graduates today, for a total of 417 students receiving their diplomas upon completion of all academic requirements. In CU's December commencement, 212 received their diplomas for a total of 629 students in this year's graduating class of 2014-2015.

Lindey Young, front, of Mt. Washington, waits to go across the stage to get her diploma in mass communication with Mary Kate Young of Paris, a music/worship arts major. (Campbellsville University Photo by Rachel DeCoursey)

Heilman, who is a 1949 graduate of Campbellsville University and will be 89 years old in July, told of his hardships of growing up in the Depression and his experience in the United States Marine Corps. Heilman is traveling around the country talking about World War II; he titled his talk “When the Lights Go On Again Over the World” or the “The Spirit of '45” which is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II on Aug. 14, 2015.

He acknowledged that members of the “Greatest Generation” are leaving us rapidly. Ninety-four percent of the 16 million who served in World War II are deceased and the fewer than 1 million remaining are dying at the rate of 25,000 a month.

Bethany Thomaston of Campbellsville, Ky., Julie Smith of Frankfort, Ky., and Courtney Hunt of Campbellsville, Ky., from left, celebrate before their commencement. They received associate of nursing degrees. (Campbellsville University Photo by Rachel DeCoursey)

He said, “And because the world steps aside to let those pass who know where they are going, let me get out of your way so that you may receive your degrees and continue your life's journey emboldened and elevated to a new level of competence and confidence, wearing with pride, a degree from Campbellsville University.”

Heilman received the Campbellsville University Leadership Award and was called an “American hero” by Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, and Dr. Frank Cheatham, senior vice president for academic affairs.

Cheatham, who is retiring in May after 42 years of service at Campbellsville University, received an honorary doctorate degree in higher education administration. Cheatham is a 1965 Campbellsville University graduate.

Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, called Cheatham “the essence of what it means to be a ‘Campbellsvillian.' Dr. Cheatham is truly one of the outstanding Baptist higher education educators of our era.”

Carter urged the graduates to take the words of the university's seal of “fellowship, leadership and scholarship” and urged the graduates to “step out of themselves and find themselves.”

“Put the Lord Jesus Christ first and foremost in your lives,” he said. “Choose the path that is more difficult,” he told the graduates in his charge to them.

“Leave this campus with the Lord Jesus Christ in your hearts,” he said. He also urged the graduates to thank those who have supported them throughout their college career and to be life-long learners.

Emily Campbell, center, of Louisville, is congratulated by her mother, Kim, and father, Hugh, after receiving her master of social work degree. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney)

Among those who have changed the world and given of themselves were the two recipients of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards given Friday and Saturday. Friday's recipient was Dr. Donnie Gosser of Elizabethtown, Ky., a member of the Campbellsville University Board of Trustees, who is a retired businessman and former owner of the Hub City Electric Company. Saturday's recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award was Ellie Ruth McKinley, a member of the 2015 class from Campbellsville.

Co-valedictorians of the May undergraduate graduating class were Sarah Louise Johnson of Belleville, Ill.; Lena Ann Morrison of Paducah, Ky.; and Kari Danielle Salyers of Frankfort, Ky.

Salutatorian was Emily Grace Hatley of Somerset, Ky.

In answering the charge given by Carter, Lauren Goodin Willis, a member of 2015's graduate class from Columbia, Ky., told the graduates “You are what makes Campbellsville University what it is. Make an impact - make a difference in each and every life. We need Christian educated people in the workforce.”

Michael Billy Jennings of Edmonton, Ky., a 2015 undergraduate who served as Student Government Association president, “Don't forget who you are; don't forget how far you have come from where you once were.” He urged the graduates to “go and do” with grateful hearts.

Mark Joseph Bomia, a 2015 class member and Baptist Campus Ministry president from Marion, Ky., said, “I want to challenge you with this, be men and women of integrity. Always seek to do the right thing. Be a voice of reason. Be co-workers who are respectful and friendly. Stay committed. Take responsibility for your actions. Be confident in who you are as a person. Don't let anyone trick you into thinking you can't do great things. Be servant leaders in this country and all across the world.”

Dr. Joseph Owens, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Lexington and chair of the CU Board of Trustees, gave the invocation at each ceremony, and Dr. Eric Bruns, professor of psychology who is chair of the CU Faculty Forum, gave the benediction at all three ceremonies.

Dr. Wesley Roberts, professor of music, played organ; Dr. Reese Land, associate professor of music, was trumpeter; and Dr. Mark Bradley, professor of music, led the music. CU Sound and Jericho McCoy, a graduate student from Campbellsville, Ky.

Friday night, 143 master's candidates received their diplomas at Ransdell Chapel. These include: master of business administration (22), master of arts in organizational leadership (4), master of management and leadership (4), master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages (1); master of theology (13), master of science in special education (4), master of arts in school improvement (2), master of arts in social science (3), master of arts in sport management (1), teacher leader master of arts in special education (36), teacher leader master of arts in education (15), master of arts in music (1), master of music in performance (4), master of music in piano pedagogy (1), master of social work (24), master in marriage and family therapy (7), and master of science in counseling (1).

On Saturday morning, 129 bachelor of science students received their diplomas in Powell Athletic Center.

At noon Saturday, 145 students received associate of science (22), associate in nursing (21), bachelor of music (4), bachelor of arts (14), bachelor of science in business administration (53), bachelor of nursing (10) and bachelor of social work (21) degrees.

Degrees are conferred upon completion of all academic requirements.

 “Believe always in the talents that you have nurtured over the years and continue to nurture them. Now is not the time to sit back and relax. You must continue to strive to extend yourself even further little by little every day, every week, every month and every year.”
Paula Smith, director of alumni relations, told the graduates, “Believe in yourself to the depths of your being. You have the ability, you have the skills, you have the education and you have the opportunities.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.