Oct. 23, 2009
For Immediate Release
Tim Green, left, a 1999 graduate of Campbellsville University from Winchester, catches up with Ginger Shely Warren, a 2000 graduate of CU from Lawrenceburg, who also serves as president of CU’s alumni association, at the inaugural meeting of Campbellsville University’s Bluegrass Alumni Chapter recently. (Campbellsville University Photo by Ashley Zsedenyi)
Campbellsville University Launches Bluegrass Alumni Chapter
By Ashley Zsedenyi, staff writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – A group of 20 alumni from Campbellsville University gathered for the inaugural meeting of the Bluegrass Alumni Chapter recently at deSha’s in downtown Lexington.
Shannon Clark, director of alumni relations at CU, said, “As our alumni base continues to grow, we need to take a step forward in the world of alumni relations and provide opportunities for alumni to stay involved with CU and each other.”
Clark said her goal in establishing the chapter is to increase alumni participation in events and to keep them connected to their alma mater.
Campbellsville University alumni from the Bluegrass region listen to Shannon Clark, director of alumni relations at CU, discuss plans for the Bluegrass Alumni Chapter. Pictured, clockwise from left, are: Laura Chowning, Jinny Kelley and Stephanie Davis, all of Lexington, Lindsey Ball of Nicholasville, and Katy Neyhouse of Danville. In back, from left, are Jonathan Gaby of Frankfort, Tim Green of Winchester and Mike Crain of Lexington. The group gathered at deSha’s in downtown Lexington recently to learn more about the alumni chapter and how to become involved. (Campbellsville University Photo by Ashley Zsedenyi)
The Bluegrass Alumni Chapter is the second to have been organized in conjunction with the Office of Alumni Relations at CU. The first was a Hardin/LaRue County Chapter formed earlier this year.
“We have many dedicated alumni in the Lexington area who come back to campus regularly and support CU whole-heartedly. It’s a great place to continue this tradition we hope will spread to other regions where there are large concentrations of alumni.”
She also hopes to provide mentoring and networking opportunities for alumni and current students, assist in the development and advancement of Campbellsville University, to serve as examples of how CU graduates can make a difference in their communities, and to host activities the chapter could look forward to annually.
“Most importantly, I want this group to have fun,” Clark said.
Some suggested activities for the chapter include an annual food and toy drive during the holidays, a summer cookout, community service projects, a group ski trip, a young alumni career workshop, a golf tournament, speaking to current students at CU about the value of their education, campus volunteer projects and creating a hospitality committee.
She said regional alums and the chapters support the work of CU in specific areas by providing social and educational programs, opportunities for meeting and encouraging prospective students to attend CU, and enhancing the reputation of CU through added visibility in the community.
Clark also hopes the chapters increase awareness of the importance of alumni giving and how supporting CU financially is vital to the institution.
Clark urged those in attendance to make contact with alumni in the Fayette County and surrounding area to build a strong core for the alumni chapter.
“A chapter fosters a great sense of community and the common bond of Campbellsville University among alumni living in a particular region,” she said.
“Every graduate from CU has been exposed to the importance of servant leadership in our world,” said Clark. “We want to take that a step further and involve CU alumni with service projects in their communities.”
Dick Ham, a 1955 graduate of Campbellsville University from Richmond, fills out an alumni registration card at the inaugural meeting of the CU Bluegrass Alumni Chapter at deSha’s in downtown Lexington recently. (Campbellsville University Photo by Ashley Zsedenyi)
The Hardin/LaRue County chapter has more than tripled in size of those participating in events, and at CU’s 2009 Homecoming the chapter signed a proclamation announcing an endowed scholarship for students in their area attending Campbellsville University.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 3,006 students who represent 97 Kentucky counties, 30 states and 37 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2010 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 23rd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South, tied for fifth in “most international students” and fourth in “up-and-coming” schools in baccalaureate colleges in the South. CU has been ranked 17 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges® and to G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his 11th year as president.
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