Campbellsville University

CU dedicates the Class of 2015

CU dedicates the Class of 2015

08/30/2011

Andrew Ward, director of student activities, gets to know the students in his small group freshman class before going into the Service of Dedication. These small groups are a class called Freshman Year Experience, each lead by a faculty or staff member and an upperclassman that serves as a mentor. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

 Andrew Ward, director of student activities, gets to know the students in his small group freshman class before going into the Service of Dedication. These small groups are a class called Freshman Year Experience, each lead by a faculty or staff member and an upperclassman that serves as a mentor. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

Aug. 30, 2011
For Immediate Release

By Christina L. Kern, office assistant

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.— “You are ready to begin a new chapter—welcome to the CU family,” Andrea Nolley, president of the Campbellsville University's Class of 2014, said as Campbellsville University dedicated the Class of 2015 Sunday evening in the Ransdell Chapel.

The dedication service for the Class of 2015 served as a way for the class to be inaugurated into the Campbellsville University family and get advice

Nolley shared advice from some of her fellow friends who are now sophomores at CU. Some of her friends said, “make friends, be social and get involved,” “focus on what you want in life,” “be fun, talk to everyone,” “go to class,” and “be organized.”

FIRST CLASS, she said, is “more than a time-filler; you learn about the ins and outs of college life.” Nolley shared her experience as a freshman to be a blessing. “The mentors are excited to have you here.”

She shared Proverbs 4:7 about wisdom and understanding, and translating that to college she said it means to “get an education and learn life lessons.”

Nolley is a public relations major from Elkhorn, Ky.

Dr. DeWayne Frazier, associate vice president for academic affairs, said he remembered his first day in college about 20 years ago. “You're on an amazing journey,” he said, “Today symbolizes the beginning of that journey.”

 Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of CU, tells the freshman class to achieve a sense of balance in their first year of college. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)
 Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of CU, tells the
freshman class to achieve a sense of balance in
their first year of college. (Campbellsville
University Photo by Christina Kern)

Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said, he wanted to give some “fatherly advice” to the incoming freshmen.

He said, “This is the Class of 2015. Some of you may finish in three years, and some of you may finish in five or six years and that's OK. The key thing is that you finish.”

In college, Carter said the main event is academics where you must prove yourself in the classroom, laboratory and outside the classroom in your field of study.

“Take advantage of every class day,” Carter said. “Participate, ask questions and engage with the faculty.”

In addition to academics, Carter said CU would fail in her mission if we didn't teach Christian character.
“We must learn to live life according to Christian character and become servant leaders,” Carter said.

He defined leadership as “the ability to take others to a higher level than they thought they could make it themselves. And as Christians, we must approach leadership with compassion and empathy.”

Carter also said success can be defined in many different ways. “We're committed to helping you find success.

“As you approach CU, keep a sense of balance. A lot of things can throw you off balance and keep you from attaining success. Don't get thrown off.”

Dr. Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs, added, “Give it your best—you can't do any better.”

 Andrea Nolley, right, a sophomore from Elkhorn, Ky., representing the Class of 2014, passes the Lamp of Learning on to Deanna Yocum, a freshman from Stanford, Ky., representing the Class of 2015. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)
 Andrea Nolley, right, a sophomore from Elkhorn,
Ky., representing the Class of 2014, passes the
Lamp of Learning on to Deanna Yocum, a
freshman from Stanford, Ky., representing the
Class of 2015. (Campbellsville University Photo
by Christina Kern)

During the Class of 2015 Service of Dedication, the Lamp of Learning was passed on to the Class of 2015 as a symbol to induct the incoming freshmen. The Lamp of Learning is a part of CU's academic seal and signifies a stable light for the spiritual, as well as the scholastic path of life. This light will illuminate the way to learning, empowerment, exploration, accomplishment, achievement and even the way home. The lamp is a symbol for students as Christian servant leaders, ones who not only will walk in the light, but ones that will choose to light the path for others.

Upon the passing of the lamp to the Class of 2015's representative, Deanna Yocum of Stanford, Ky., the class was asked to think about how they would leave a legacy at Campbellsville University.

FIRST CLASS is a course for first-time students designed to enhance students' academic, social and spiritual integration into the Campbellsville University community. The course emphasizes development of intellectual and academic responsibilities, interpersonal growth through active campus and community involvement, and integrated of spiritual and core values essential for Christian servant leadership.

Dr. Thomas Jeffrey, instructional technologist and assistant professor, and his class sit outside talking about getting started in their first year at CU. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)
 Dr. Thomas Jeffrey, instructional technologist and assistant professor, and his class sit outside talking about getting started in their first year at CU. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 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.