May 5, 2012
For Immediate Release
Campbellsville University commencement speakers and award winners gathered for a dinner May 4 at the Betty Dobbins Heilman House on CU's campus. From left are: Jordan Cornett, graduating senior of Lexington, Ky., Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award winner; Dr. Joe Owens, chair of CU's Board of Trustees; Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University; Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, United States ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, who spoke at the undergraduate commencement; Dr. Gary Cox, president of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU), who spoke at CU's graduate commencement; John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president; and Dr. Larry Noe, member of CU's board of trustees and community member winner of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney)
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University bestowed degrees on a record-breaking number of graduates, 597, for the 2011-12 academic year. In ceremonies Friday, May 4, there were 132 students who received master's degrees and 248 undergraduates received their degrees on Saturday, May 5, for a total of 380 in the May ceremony. There were 217 graduates in December ceremonies.
There were 217 bachelor's degrees, 132 master's degrees and 31 associate degrees presented by Dr. Michael V. Carter, president, and Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs. The students receive their degrees upon completion of all academic requirements.
Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, United States ambassador at large for international religious freedom, addressed the 248 undergraduate students in Saturday's ceremony at Powell Athletic Center.
Johnson Cook acknowledged CU's recent appointment to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for 2012 and said, “You have spent four years learning and growing in a university which believes in serving others. Now, you are about to embark on a journey of ever-greater engagement with the world around you.
“Whatever else you remember as you begin working in business, in education, in science, in medicine, in ministry—don't lose sight of this great lesson taught here at Campbellsville University: Find your call and do it.”
Johnson Cook has traveled to five continents promoting religious tolerance and helping to build bridges between people of different faiths. She has served as ambassador since May 16, 2011.
“I have seen that great things can happen when members of different faith communities come together to share ideas and to grow a vision of harmony together through relationships that stretch beyond borders, beyond religions.”
She told the graduates, as members of a faith community, they play an essential role: “to build bridges across religious differences, to work together against religious hatred, violence and repression.”
“As members of a faith community, each and every one of you can work to promote mutual
respect and freedom for people of your own faith, for people of other faiths, and
for people who don't belong to any religious group,” she said.
She urged the graduates to think of some of the ways they can take a leading role
in serving others who face persecution due to their religious beliefs.
She urged them to be informed, get involved and volunteer their time.
“As young people, you have an unprecedented opportunity to make a difference in the world around you,” she said.
“Take a moment to appreciate what your hard work has accomplished,” she said. “You stand poised to live your values, and to work for your values, on a much larger stage.”
She was presented an honorary doctorate degree of public service during the ceremony.
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| Master of Arts in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) degree recipients pose with Dr. Sandy Kroh, director of ESL Institute). From left are: Haelan Min, Lyudmyla Borysivna Ivanyuk, Raymond Alan Chelf II, Travis Lee Kennon, Kroh, Ashley Brooke Boyd, Misa Yuri and Hector Antonio Urbaneja. (Campbellsville University Photo by Linda Waggener) |
Dr. Larry Noe, a member of the board of trustees at CU, was presented the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award during the Friday night ceremony. During Saturday's ceremony, Jordan Cornett of Lexington received the student Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.
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| Xavier Scott Wells gives a shout to his family as he walks across stage. Wells, of Central City, Ky., received a bachelor of science in sport management. (Campbellsville University Photo by Naranchuluu Amarsanaa) |
Carter said there are some 50 colleges and universities in the South that are approved by the Sullivan Foundation to annually present these awards to one graduating senior and to one adult.
He said Sullivan was a lawyer, devout Christian, mediator, powerful and appealing orator, a courageous citizen during perilous times, a noted philanthropist and a devoted family man. In the words of a friend, Sullivan “reached out both hands in constant helpfulness to others.”
Noe started in the commercial real estate business in 1987 and now DeerCreek Developers, LLC, Larry D. Noe Properties, LLC, LDN Northland and CCNR Properties, LLC, own and manage 32 commercial properties in 4 states.
Noe served as Taylor County attorney from 1978 to 1993 and was an attorney from 1975 to 1997. He attended Campbellsville University from 1967 to 1969 and graduated from the University of Kentucky.
He received an honorary doctorate of law from CU in 2004.
He is married to Beverly Noe, and they have one daughter, Ashley Noe Meister.
Noe said, “This is certainly a distinct honor for me, and I'm very humbled to receive this award.”
Cornett majored in mass communication/public relations with a minor in international studies. She has a 3.93 grade point average.
She has played softball at CU, and her coach Shannon Wathen said of her, “Jordan is one of the most exceptional young ladies I have had the pleasure of coaching. She exemplifies what it truly means to be a student/athlete and more important a servant leader. I have been blessed to have coached her and am a better person for having had the opportunity.”
She has traveled on many mission trips, including ones to Haiti and Nicaragua, and she received the Barney II and Moore Foundation Servant Leadership Award in 2011. She has won several athletic awards including the 2011 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete and 2011 NCCAA Scholar Athlete.
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| Dr. Gary Cox, president of AIKCU, speaks at the graduate commencement, May 4. (Campbellsville University Photo by Ashley Wilson) |
Cox, as president of the Association of Intercollegiate Kentucky Colleges and Universities, coordinates AIKCU's legislative, public policy, advocacy, fundraising and cooperate activities.
In addressing the 132 graduate students in Ransdell Chapel, Cox said, “You are a part of a growing number of outstanding students enrolling and graduating from Kentucky's 20 non-profit, independent, SACS [Southern Association of Colleges and Schools] accredited colleges and universities that make up the association I represent.”
He said CU and her 19 sister institutions meet the same academic standards as the state's public colleges and universities.
“Your graduate degree from Campbellsville University is as good as it gets in Kentucky, this region and the nation,” Cox said. “The proof is in the numbers, in the growing numbers of students, consumers of education, that has been and continues to enroll and graduate at all levels here at Campbellsville University.”
He said over the last ten years, from 2001 to 2011, CU's total enrollment has grown 98 percent, with graduate enrollment growing almost 250 percent.
During the last 10 years, the total annual degrees awarded have increased by almost 50 percent, and the total graduate degrees awarded have increased by over 125 percent.
Cox said the graduates' master degrees will open new doors for them, enhance their professional standing with their peers and their earning potential.
“Bask in the brighter future you are charting for yourself,” he said.
“Don't ever quit seeking knowledge,” he urged the graduates. “Share your value for education with the next generation. Be ready to mentor the young folks around you. We all need to beat the drum for the value of education.”
“Revel in your success,” Cox said. “Celebrate your achievement. You have earned the right to celebrate vigorously.”
Cox received an honorary doctorate of public service degree.
Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said, “This is a very special day - a day that you as graduates and your family will long remember.”
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| Powell Athletic Center was packed at the undergraduate commencement May 5 with a record number of graduates. (Campbellsville University Photo by Linda Waggener) |
Carter congratulated the students for their accomplishments and for the sacrifices they and their families have made to “reach this important milestone in your life and educational career.” He urged each graduate to take a moment to express appreciation to their family, close friends, and CU faculty and staff whom have “supported, encouraged and motivated you along the way.”
He said, “Today is a good day to take time to express your love and appreciation to those who have sacrificed along the way to help you reach this important milestone in your life.”
Carter said the graduates they are the largest group of graduate students receiving degrees, and among the largest graduating class at CU.
He said the students, not only have received a great academic career, but their education is not complete if they haven't been touched by Jesus Christ and if they have not had an encounter with him and know him as their personal savior and Lord.
Carter charged the graduates in both ceremonies to make a difference in the world and to be proud graduates of Campbellsville University. He urged them “go forth and make fellowship, leadership and scholarship (words on the CU academic seal) a way of life.”
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| Lyndsey Nicole Barnes of Russell Springs, Ky. receives her Master of Business Administration hood from Dr. Pat Cowherd, dean of the School of Business and Economics. (Campbellsville University Photo by Sarah Ames) |
During the Saturday morning service, Chelsi Netherland of Leitchfield, Ky., responded to the charge by promising to: commit to speak highly of the university, commit to walk out Christian fellowship with every person we come in contact with, commit to model servant leadership after the example of Christ and to continue in seeking after knowledge and being built up in godly wisdom.
Christina Kern of Campbellsville, Ky., formerly of Danville, Ky., responded to Carter's charge for the master's students. She said, “We will use the seal of our alma mater — fellowship, leadership, scholarship — as a model for our future lives to bring change to our everyday world.”
She said the graduates will commit to: scholarship, we commit to never stop learning; fellowship in our lives so we may continue to share His love; and leadership to lead by the example Christ gave to us.”
Kwaku Osbreh, a 2006 graduate of Campbellsville University, president of the CU Alumni Association and who is revenue cycle analytics manager at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Ky., installed the alumni.
“As you move forward,” he said, “I encourage you to reach out to your fellow alumni for advice and mentoring. I hope you continue to question the world around you and dedicate yourselves to understanding it.”
He told the graduates to “Live your life in such a way that at its close your maker may greet you with the words that close our school song, ‘Well done, well done.'”
Dr. Joseph Owens, chair of the CU Board of Trustees, gave the invocation at both ceremonies. Dr. Donna Hedgepath, vice chair of the Faculty Forum and associate dean of the School of Education, gave the benediction at the graduate ceremony, and Dr. Wesley Roberts, chair of the Faculty Forum and professor of music, gave the benediction at the undergraduate ceremony.
The breakdown of degrees include: bachelor's students: bachelor of arts, nine; bachelor of music, eight; bachelor of science, 147; bachelor of social work, 18; and bachelor of science in business administration, 37; the associate degrees include: associate of nursing, 24, and associate of science, six; and master's degrees include: master of arts in organizational leadership, four; master of arts in social science, two; master of arts in special education, 19; master of business administration, 21;
Master of music in piano pedagogy, one; master of music performance, five; master of music in conducting, one; master of arts in education, three; master of arts in music, five; master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages, eight; master of music in music education, three; master of social work, 20; master of theology, six; master of science in counseling, eight; teacher leader master of arts in education, six; and teacher leader master of arts in special education, 15.
Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs, presented the graduates at both ceremonies; and Carter presided during each ceremony.
Students and faculty of the School of Music presented music during the programs. Dr. Wesley Roberts, professor of music, was organist with Dr. Reese Land, assistant professor of music, playing trumpet. Dr. Mark Bradley, professor of music, led the congregation in hymns. CU Sound, directed by John Rausch, performed as did Ha Hae Jung, soloist, during Friday's ceremony, and the CU Brass Ensemble, directed by Dr. J. Robert Gaddis, dean of the School of Music, performed during Saturday's commencement.
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.