For Immediate Release
Editor's Note: The following story was prepared for AIKCU (Association for Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities). DeMarcus Compton, a native of Greensburg, Ky., who now teaches in Elizabethtown, Ky., was recognized by AIKCU as a successful alumnus of Campbellsville University. The poster (below) hung in the tunnel at the state capitol this week. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina L. Kern)
By Christina L. Kern, office assistant
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — DeMarcus Compton, a 2009 undergraduate and 2012 master's graduate of Campbellsville University, is impacting the Commonwealth of Kentucky through special education.
While he has an undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology, Compton is now teaching 7th and 8th grade language arts, special education and specific learning disabilities at Bluegrass Middle School in Elizabethtown, Ky.
Compton describes the school, in the Hardin County School District, as “culturally diverse with many students who are military brats.”
How did this psychology and sociology major get into special education?
Compton completed a practicum with a school psychologist in his undergraduate career which opened him up to education. After leading worship at a church in Campbellsville, he met someone with Down Syndrome who has now become Compton's friend. “God spoke through him and revealed my calling to special education and helping students who struggle in school,” Compton said.
“I feel like I'm making an impact on these students,” Compton said. “Many African-American male students here don't have a father figure in their life, and they are coming to me for ‘fatherly advice.' I can be that positive male role model in their lives, and not only with my African-American male students but with all students.”
In his own education, Compton said he wouldn't have been able to afford it without financial aid. “My dad works in a factory and my mom is a teacher. We're middle class, and I believe the middle class is hardest hit when it comes to getting financial aid.”
The combination of state grant funding, scholarships and other performance grants helped Compton provide the necessary funding to continue his education at Campbellsville University.
His dream is to become a college professor.
“The Lord led me to Campbellsville University,” Compton said. “Initially, I didn't want to go because it was only 20 minutes away from my home in Greensburg. I had been on campus in middle school and high school, but it was Ms. T (Jennifer Tinnell, director of bands/instructor in music) who got me there with a band visit. I liked the atmosphere, and it just felt right.”
Compton played saxophone and was in marching band (serving as field commander for two years), concert band and pep band while at CU.
Compton is also very involved in the community, especially in his church in Greensburg. In addition to being a part of Steadfast, a local praise band, he plays piano, sings and helps out with the youth and drama teams at his church in Greensburg. He is also the sponsor of the National Junior Honor Society at Bluegrass Middle School.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 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.