June 22, 2012
For Immediate Release

By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University honored her faculty, staff and coaches for years of service at a ceremony recently in the Winters Dining Hall of the E. Bruce Heilman Student Complex.

Sharon Gowin speaks at the Campbellsville University Faculty/Staff Recognition Service. She retired after 32 years of service. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

Sharon Gowin, one of three persons who retired, said the university's theme of “find your calling” was real to her as she was a student at CU and searching for her life's work.

She worked in the Office of Admissions since 1980 and thanked all of the people with whom she has worked over the years. “I will miss this place. I love this place because this place is YOU!” she said.

“I am so blessed that I have worked at a place where it is so hard to say goodbye. So, I'm just saying ‘see ya.'”

Dr. Jackie Sandifer, professor of criminal justice, said her Lord had blessed her with so many things including working at Campbellsville University and having been married to her husband, the Rev. David Sandifer, for 46 years, and who also worked at CU.

Dr. Jackie Sandifer taught 12 years at Camp- bellsville University before her retirements. She gives a speech at the university's Faculty/Staff Recognition Service program. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

Sandifer said she had enjoyed “every minute” of her work at CU for the past 12 years.

“I'll remember you fondly,” she told the CU employees present. “See you down the road.”

Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of CU, said Campbellsville University is a great organization that has a great purpose and that purpose brings out the greatness in people.

“At the heart of the university is the relationships we share with one another and the community we build,” he said.

“Thanks for making CU such a special place,” he said. “There is a sweet, kind, decent, compassionate spirit in this place. This place is great because we serve others.”

“May Campbellsville University enjoy the best days of her life in the days to come,” Carter, who has been president at CU since 1999, said.

Those honored include: retirees - Dr. Jacquelyn Sandifer, professor of criminal justice, 11 years; Theodore W. Schultz, coordinator of Teacher Learning Resource Center in Montgomery Library, 18 years; and Sharon Gowin, assistant to the director for admissions, 32 years;

Thirty years - Julie G. Caldwell, secretary for special projects; Linda J. Cundiff, chair of department of art and professor of art; Dr. J. Robert Gaddis, dean of the School of Music and professor of music; and Dr. M. Wesley Roberts, professor of music;

Honored for 20 years of service at Campbellsville University from left, with Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs, far left, and Dr. Michael V. Carter, president, far right, include: Dr. Sarah J. Stafford and Dr. Vernon Roddy. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

Twenty-five years - Dr. Janet L. Miller, assistant professor of biology; twenty years - Dr. Vernon E. Roddy, professor of economics; and Dr. Sarah J. Stafford, associate professor of English;

Those honored for 15 years of service at CU include, with Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs, far left, and Dr. Michael V. Carter, president, far right, from left: Dr. Mary Wilgus in front row, and back, Amanda Smith, Emma Revis, Dr. Jeanette Parker, Debbie Lollar, Troy Handley, Chris Gibbs and Keith Adkins. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

Fifteen years - C. Keith Adkins, head men's basketball coach; Christopher M. Gibbs, system support analyst; Troy D. Handley, groundskeeper: Deborah A. Lollar, staff accountant; Dr. Jeanette J. Parker, assistant vice president for academic affairs, associate professor of psychology and title III director;

Emma C. Revis, director of foundation relations; Amanda M. Smith, secretary to vice president for finance and administration; and Dr. Mary Wilgus, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of history;

Campbellsville University employees honored for 10 years of service include, with Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs, far left, and Dr. Michael V. Carter, president, far right, from left: Front row - Derek Port, Donna Wilson, Faun Crenshaw and Dr. Sunny Onyiri. Back row - Hermano J. De Queiroz, Jim Woolums, Dr. Chris Bullock, Tim Judd, Kevin Propes and Kellie Vaughn. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

Ten years - Dr. Chris T. Bullock, associate professor of mathematics; J. Faun Crenshaw, director of writing/tutoring center; Hermano J. De Queiroz, director of information technology; Jo Ann Harris, secretary for physical plant; Timothy Q. Hooper, coordinator for distance learning and electronic resources librarian; Timothy M. Judd, comptroller;

Dr. Sunny O. Onyiri, associate professor of business and accounting; Derek J. Port, head athletic trainer; Dr. Brenda A. Priddy, associate professor and dean of the School of Education; Kevin D. Propes, assistant dean of academic support; Kellie P. Vaughn, secretary to the president; Donna E. Wilson, student accounts manager; and James Woolums, director of regional centers and assistant professor of Christian studies;

Those honored for five years of service at Campbellsville University were from left, with Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs, far left, and Dr. Michael V. Carter, president, far right: Front row - Dr. Jill Day, Jenny Houk, Thom Jones, Beverly Rowland, Chris Sanders, Linda Waggener, Colin McDaniel, Jeannie Clark and Lisa Kirtley. Back row - Dr. Reese Land, Margie Walker, Ellen Goff, Ricky Gehres, Dr. Leigh Conver, Dwight Gilpin, William “Tweety” Powell and Dr. Tony Cunha. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

Five years - Dr. Wendy R. Benningfield, associate professor of history; Jeannie S. Clark, broadcast/digital media producer; Dr. Leigh E. Conver, associate professor of social work and coordinator of master of social work in counseling in Louisville;

Dr. Alcingstone “Tony” Cunha, associate professor of music/associate dean; Dr. Jill A. Day, assistant professor of human performance; Ricky G. Gehres, assistant football coach; H. Dwight Gilpin, special projects/apartment maintenance;

Ellen B. Goff, financial aid office assistant; Jennifer L. Houk, admissions application specialist; Dr. Japheth O. Jaoko, associate professor of social work; Thomas A. Jones, women's head soccer coach; Lisa A. Kirtley, prospect coordinator for admissions; Dr. W. Reese Land, associate professor of music/trumpet; Colin G. McDaniel, instructor in English; William T. Powell, custodian; Beverly D. Rowland, associate professor of nursing; Christopher M. Sanders, assistant dean of the Center for International Education; Linda M. Waggener, marketing and media relations coordinator; and Margie L. Walker, financial aid systems program analyst.

Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs, officiated at the ceremony and thanked everyone for “going the extra mile for students.”

Dr. Joseph Owens, a 1977 CU graduate who is chair of the CU Board of Trustees, gave the innovation at the ceremony, and Dr. W.R. Davenport, president emeritus, 1969-88, gave the benediction.

The faculty and staff recognition program was established in 1984 as a way to recognize publicly those who have served Campbellsville University. The members of the faculty/staff recognition committee include: Terry VanMeter, director of personnel services, chair; Janet Coffey, personnel assistant; Venita Hooper, secretary for the office of academic affairs; Dale Furkin, instructor for English; Joan McKinney, news and publications coordinator; Kellie Vaughn, secretary to the president; and Connie Wilson, academic coordinator.

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.