Campbellsville University students inducted into Theta Alpha Kappa, an honor society for theology majors, are, in the front row from left: Josh Hardesty of Owensboro, Ky.; Brian Isaacs of Lancaster, Ky.; Dwayne Howell, associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew; John Hurtgen, dean of the School of Theology and professor; and Daniel Motley of Scottsville, Ky. Back row: Joe Early, assistant professor of theology; Sarah Adkins of Somerset, Ky.; Jesse Reese of Old Bridge, N.J.; Kelli Dillard of Campbellsville; Timothy Johnson of Campbellsville; Melody Hall of Bowling Green, Ky.; Leeland Merritt of Jacksonville, Fla.; and Micah Spicer of Wingo, Ky. (Campbellsville University Photo by Bayarmagnai “Max” Nergui)
Nov. 24, 2009
For Immediate Release
CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY THEOLOGY STUDENTS INDUCTED INTO THETA ALPHA KAPPA
By Ashley Zsedenyi, staff writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University recently added a chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa, a national honor society for students in religious studies and theology programs, and inducted 12 students and three faculty moderators.
To be eligible, students must have a 3.5 grade point average in religious studies and/or theology and a 3.0 grade point average overall. Residency, class ranking and unit requirements must also be met.
The following students from Campbellsville University were inducted: Sarah Adkins of Somerset, Ky.; Kelly Dillard of Campbellsville; Melody Hall of Bowling Green, Ky.; Josh Hardesty of Owensboro, Ky.; Brian Isaacs of Lancaster, Ky.;
Tim Johnson of Campbellsville; Wade McGuire of Spottsville, Ky.; Leland Merritt of Jacksonville, Fla.; Daniel Motley of Scottsville, Ky.; Joshua Petrey of Eubank, Ky.; Jesse Reese of Old Bridge, N.J.; and Micah Spicer of Wingo, Ky.
The faculty members initiated were: Dr. J. Dwayne Howell, associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, moderator; Dr. Joe Early, assistant professor of theology, assistant moderator; and Dr. Jarvis Williams, assistant professor of New Testament and Greek, assistant moderator.
Dr. Bob Dunston, professor of religion and department chair at the University of the Cumberlands and national treasurer of Theta Alpha Kappa, was guest speaker at the induction ceremony.
Dunston told students their induction into Theta Alpha Kappa “means that you have decided to be more than just average or above average. You have decided to be excellent, at least academically.”
“Entering Theta Alpha Kappa certainly is a milestone along the road of your life, but not the end of the journey. The excellence you pursue in academics needs to carry over from religious studies and theology to all areas of life,” he said.
“What you are preparing for here is not just a good résumé that gets you into a good seminary or graduate school, but for a lifetime of service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Dunston said.
Dunston also challenged the students to “greater things…a life lived by God's standards of excellence is what all of us need to strive for, because that life truly makes a difference.”
Theta Alpha Kappa began in 1976 by Professor Albert Clark at Manhattan College in Riverdale, N.Y. Since then, the organization has grown to more than 200 chapters nationally. It is the only national honor society dedicated to recognizing academic excellence in baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate students and in scholars in the fields of religious studies and theology.
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.