Dr. Mark Bradley, right, professor of music at Campbellsville University, was honored by his pastor, Dr. Ted Beam, as an Endowed Scholarship has been created by members of First United Methodist Church in Bradley’s honor at Campbellsville University. (Campbellsville University Photo by Teresa Elmore)
July 2, 2009
For Immediate Release
CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY MUSIC PROFESSOR HAS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IN HIS HONOR
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Dr. C. Mark Bradley, professor of music at Campbellsville University for almost 30 years, was honored with an endowed scholarship in his honor from his church, Campbellsville First United Methodist Church, June 21.
“We established the scholarship so that Campbellsville First United Methodist Church (FUMC) could show a token of our appreciation to Mark for his 22 years of faithful service as music director at our church,” Phil Allan Bertram, a church member, said.
What was established was the “Dr. C. Mark Bradley Endowed Music Scholarship Fund” at Campbellsville University. The first scholarship will be awarded in the fall of 2010 to worthy music majors who demonstrate academic merit and financial need.
Recommendations of students to receive the scholarship will be made by the School of Music faculty.
Bertram said that in less than 20 years, students will be financially helped in an amount equal to the $10,000 principal of this endowed scholarship fund and yet the $10,000 principal will still be there to continue to help music students in Bradley’s honor “until the Lord returns again,” he said.
Bertram said he hoped the establishment of the scholarship fund in Bradley’s honor will inspire others to do the same in honor of someone.
“Mark means much not only to the music ministry of FUMC but the overall ministry as well,” Bertram said.
“Whenever he is called on to help about anything, he is right there,” Bertram said.
“In years past, he volunteered much of his time helping with the youth. He was a positive influence on all three of my children but especially my daughter, Debbie, and son, Allan, both of whom are graduates of CU,” Bertram said.
Bertram said donors primarily were members of Campbellsville First United Methodist Church. He said, though, as word got around, others outside of FUMC wanted to donate including some from his family.
Bertram said God “put the idea in my mind and on my heart. I had thought about it before but it culminated on Friday evening, May 8, 2009, while attending the master’s graduation ceremony in Ransdell Chapel and saw Mark sitting on the stage with the faculty.
God nudged me to get started on it.”
Bertram shared his desire with his pastor, Dr. Ted Beam, and he encouraged him to pursue God’s leading in the endeavor.
Beam said, “One of the signs of a mature Christian is someone who makes efforts to encourage and build up other people. Phil certainly did this for Mark.
“In addition, this provided a vehicle for many members of the church and members of the community to express their appreciation for Mark. Often we do not take the initiative but will express our love and appreciation when given an opportunity. Many people have done this for Mark.”
Beam said, “By First UMC trusting Mark’s leadership in the music area, he has given 22 years of investment into the development of many music ministries. In our society, most people minister a few years and move on to another post. But Mark has been here 22 years. His ministry has gone deep into the lives of the university, the First UMC congregation and literally across the community. God blessed this community with Mark, and Mark has stayed the course for these many years. He has honored God. And God has honored him.
“As Mark’s pastor, I have been privileged to see him and hear him at a wide variety of occasions, including those conversations you only have with your pastor. And I can tell you, Mark is a good man, a godly man. He has blessed many people and this scholarship in his name is just one way they have expressed their gratitude.”
“I think Mark was surprised (when the announcement was made),” Bertram said. But, he said, “He is such a good actor, though, that he may have had all of us fooled.”
Bradley said the announcement of the scholarship was a “total and complete surprise.”
Bradley said his daughter, Dr. Beth Bradley, a pharmacist in Knoxville, Tenn.; and his best friend and his wife, Dale and Mary Williams, who are friends from Bradley’s youth in Garland, Texas, were present, but he thought it was just because it was Father’s Day, and they were just visiting for the weekend.
“I am very honored that friends, family, colleagues and the like would think of me in a tribute like this,” Bradley said.
“It is very humbling. God works in mysterious ways to bring us blessings. Not only am I blessed by this, but I know that students will be blessed in the future and the university that I love will also be blessed. I thank God for His great love, and I thank everyone who had a part in this superb blessing.”
Bertram said endowed scholarships such as this one allow “CU to be able to assist worthy college students for years and generations to come until the Lord returns.”
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 2,601 students who represent 93 Kentucky counties, 27 states and 31 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2009 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South for the second consecutive year. CU has been ranked 16 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his tenth year as president.
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