April 20, 2011
For Immediate Release

By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University's 31 Somerset graduates celebrated Tuesday with a program that told the graduates to “live life on purpose.”

Dr. Jesse Correll, founder and chairman of the board for First Southern Bancorp Inc., told the graduates in criminal justice, early childhood education and social work, to think about what they would want people to say about them when they are 80 years old.

The ceremony was in the Harold Rogers Student Commons at Somerset Community College.

Dr. Jesse Correll spoke to the Somerset Center graduates. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney)

Correll told the graduates debt is bad, saving is good, giving is fun and stuff is meaningless.

“Be careful, debt is bondage,” he said. He praised the students for their endurance in their college studies, however, he said in life they will experience just as much endurance and life will not get simpler. “Don't expect to have what your parents have right now,” he said.

He said saving is good and that the country mainly lives from “paycheck to paycheck.” He urged the graduates to spend less than they make and save for what they want. “Let interest work for you and not against you,” he said.

“Be quick to give and slow to spend,” he said. “Giving is fun,” Correll said. He said if you aren't generous with small donations you won't be generous with large ones.

“Learn to be content with what you have,” he said as he told the graduates “stuff is meaningless.”

Dr. Keith Spears, far right, vice president for regional and professional education, watches as Jeannie Clark, WLCU technician specialist, films John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president, interviewing Dr. Jesse Correll. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney)

“Stuff won't make you happy,” he said. Correll said relationships, being right with the Lord, friends, family, co-workers, etc. are important.

“Who you are with is more important than what you are doing,” he said. “All people are important. Even if you just say ‘hello' and smile.”

He urged the graduates to keep their purpose in life “front and center.”

He and his current wife, Angela Crouch Correll, meet each Jan. 1 to plan their goals for the year, and they meet with a “godly counselor and friend” who keeps them on track throughout the year.

“If you don't keep details in your life, where will you end up?” he said.

Correll said it was great to see the partnership with CU and Somerset Community College and the entire Kentucky Community and Technical College System.

Geri Hull, site coordinator for the Somerset Center, is introduced to Dr. John Mark Toby, pastor of Beacon Hill Baptist Church, Somerset, right, by Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of CU. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney).

Dr. Keith Spears, vice president for regional and professional education, welcomed the group to the celebration and thanked those with SCC who helped organize the event including Sara Tucker of SCC, and Geri Hull, Campbellsville University's site coordinator for the Somerset Center.

Elaine Wilson of First Baptist Church of Somerset sang with Carol Hancock on piano.

Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, also expressed thanks to the “great relationship we share with SCC.”

“We appreciate the great hospitality,” he said. “We gather here because of the students.”

CU deans recognized the graduates including: Dr. Brenda Priddy, interdisciplinary early childhood education; and Dr. Darlene Eastridge, social work; along with Dr. Jacquelyn Sandifer, criminal justice administration program director.

The students honored for graduating with a degree in criminal justice administration were: Tonya Baumgardner of Somerset, Ky.; Ian Bray of Nancy, Ky.; Robert Bray of Nancy, Ky.; Jeromy Burris of Somerset, Ky.; Regina Campbell of Whitley City, Ky.; Holly Davidson of London, Ky.;

Belinda Dishon of Eubank, Ky.; Lori Duncan of Strunk, Ky.; Adam Dodson of Monticello, Ky.; Betty Glass of Somerset, Ky.; Steven Hill of Somerset, Ky.; Megan Jones of Whitley City, Ky.; Ralph King of Whitley City, Ky.; Melissa Lyles of Warren, Ohio; Rita Popp of Science Hill, Ky.;

Leslie Silvers of Somerset, Ky.; Jennifer Stout of Whitley, Ky.; Michael Tapley of Stearns, Ky.; Niki Taylor of Somerset, Ky.; Melissa Vitori of Jamestown, Ky., and Jonathan Watson of Whitley City, Ky.

Sandifer presented the Criminal Justice Academic Award certificate to Dodson and Popp and said they will also be honored at CU's annual Honors and Awards Day on the main campus April 27.

The students honored for graduating with a degree in interdisciplinary early childhood education were: Alisha Alexander of Science Hill, Ky.; Petula Dobbs of Stearns, Ky.; Charlisa Lawson of London, Ky.; Sharon Lowe of Monticello, Ky.; Rhonda Maggard of Stanford, Ky.; Lisa Smith of Strunk, Ky., and Buffey Steele of London, Ky.

The students honored for graduating with a degree in social work were: Greg Ball of Pine Knot, Ky.; Barbara Crew of Science Hill, Ky.; and Andrea Thurman of Somerset.

John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president, gave the benediction at the close of the celebration

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate programs, 17 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.