CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY HERITAGE DAY
TO FEATURE DR. W.R. DAVENPORT MARCH 3

By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator, and Christina Miller, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Dr. W.R. “Randy” Davenport, president emeritus at Campbellsville University, will be the chapel speaker at CU's Heritage Day Wednesday, March 3 at 10 a.m. at Ransdell Chapel, 401 N. Hoskins Ave., Campbellsville.

Davenport, who served as president of Campbellsville College from 1969 to 1988, will discuss the sacrifices made resulting in the institution's ability to move forward during the annual Heritage Day presentation. The public is invited.

   “Heritage Day gives us an opportunity to remember these events and also share the story with our present students and community,” Tim Hooper, coordinator of distance learning and electronic resources librarian, said. Hooper is coordinating the Heritage Day chapel program.

Davenport retired from Campbellsville College in 1988 after 19 years as college president and 40 years as an educator.

The years Davenport was president was a “turbulent time” for our nation, and our institution as well, Hooper said.

“Dr. Davenport played a crucial role in serving Campbellsville College during that difficult period and can be credited as providing sound leadership and vision in what many considered to be a time in which Campbellsville College might cease to exist,” Hooper said.

Davenport previously served as a professor at the University of Michigan at Flint, Butler University in Indianapolis and the University of Arkansas. He was formerly a high school principal and teacher of science and mathematics.

Davenport received a bachelor of arts in chemistry from the University of Louisville in 1947, a master of science in science education and administration from the University of Arkansas in 1950 and a doctor of education in educational administration from the University of Arkansas in 1955.

Davenport joined the Gideons in November 1954 and has been active in the organization since. He has had various camp offices in the Campbellsville Camp; he is now membership chairman.

He serves as a consultant for the Gideons International Headquarters Development Department in estate planning. He is also church ministry coordinator for the Kentucky State Cabinet.

Davenport formerly served as international president, vice president, chaplain, trustee of USA Zone 6, Kentucky and Michigan state president, Indiana vice president and various other offices. He has also served for various convention and conference planning committees.

Davenport has served in several international ministry assignments in several countries.

He is the former past president of the Campbellsville Club of Kiwanis International and a former member of the national advisory board of Baptists in Scouting.

Davenport is retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve.

Davenport is a member, deacon, Sunday School teacher and moderator at Campbellsville Baptist Church.

He formerly served as a member of the following Southern Baptist Convention boards: Education Commission, Southern Baptist Foundation, Brotherhood Commission and Christian Life Commission.

He is past chairman of the state missions committee of Michigan Baptists and past chairman of the state executive board of the Indiana Baptists.

Davenport and his wife, Janet Chambers Davenport, have four children and seven grandchildren.

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 82miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his 11th year as president.