CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY TO HOLD INSTALLATION
OF NEW KAPPA DELTA PI EDUCATION HONOR SOCIETY MEMBERS

By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University has joined two other private institutions in the commonwealth in establishing a chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society specifically for education majors.                              

Installation for the new members, students and faculty, of CU's KDP chapter, Alpha Epsilon Omicron, will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, in Ransdell Chapel at 401 N. Hoskins Ave., Campbellsville, Ky.

About 30 initiates, including students and faculty, are expected to be installed as members of the society as the chapter plaque is presented. Initiates and their families are invited to the ceremony.

A representative from Kappa Delta Pi, Dr. John Light, a Union University faculty member who has served as KDP president, will be present to assist with the installation service, and Chuck Adams, superintendent from Spencer County Schools, will deliver the keynote address.

“The year 2010 has become a defining moment in the 100-plus year history of teacher education at Campbellsville University,” Dr. Brenda Priddy, associate professor and dean of the School of Education, said.

“Over the summer, we moved into a beautiful new facility and, this fall, we are installing a chapter of the prestigious international honor society, Kappa Delta Pi.

“Both of these accomplishments have been the result of vision and outstanding teamwork of caring, Christ-centered administrators, faculty, staff and students. Thanks be to God for these special moments in our history and for the blessings they will be for years to come!”

“What an exciting time for the School of Education faculty, staff and students,” Dr. Beverly Ennis, assistant professor of education, said.

“I am honored to be a charter member of Kappa Delta Pi,” she said. “I know Alpha Epsilon Omicron will be a positive addition to Campbellsville University in assisting in the essential roles of developing education professionals and recognizing their achievement.”

“The Greek words ‘Kappa Delta Pi' mean ‘knowledge,' ‘duty' and ‘power,' respectively, and truly reflect the history of teacher education on this campus,” said Dr. Carolyn Garrison, professor of education.

“We are very excited to offer our students the recognition, opportunities and privileges associated with lifetime membership in Kappa Delta Pi,” she said.

Garrison, professor of education, is serving as counselor to the group along with Ennis.

The initiation ceremony will occur just days after the School of Education has a dedication service for the new education building.

Kappa Delta Pi is the world's largest association of outstanding education professionals. It is the only organization that represents all educators—regardless of subject area specialty, degree obtained, grade-level focus or years of teaching experience. 

Dr. John Light, who has over 40 years experience as an educator and advocate for children and their education, will help with the initiation. He is a professor at Union University.

Chuck Adams, who is in his third year as superintendent of Spencer County Schools, will deliver the keynote address.

Light has served throughout his career as a teacher, building administrator, school district administrator and superintendent of schools, as well as a university faculty member.

During Light's biennial term of 2004-06 as president of Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society in Education focused on bringing professional resources to new teachers and teacher candidates to ensure successful classrooms for children.

Light has been heard to say that the two great things about adulthood are being a parent, now grandparent, and an educator. He continues this description by commenting that he can't imagine doing anything different in his life roles than these two great commissions. These two roles have been the motivator of his interest and active role in the area of men's ministry in the Christian church.

Adams has risen from the ranks as teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and now a superintendent in less than 10 years. He holds an undergraduate degree from Berea College where he participated both as a basketball player and then as an assistant coach for Berea Community High School.

Adams has served in Rowan County and Mayfield Independent Schools, as well as at Todd County Central High School in various positions.

Through the years, Adams has served on various committees at the state level, presented and trained administrators at state level conferences and workshops, traveled and presented materials as a state certified SBDM trainer, has taken an active role in SACS accreditation and scholastic review teams and has been instrumental in his role as serving as an ambassador for public education students throughout the state.

In his spare time, he enjoys church, teaching Sunday School and relaxing in the outdoors with his wife, Sondra, and children, Alexis and Ethan.

tudent officers of the organization include: Brittany Hahn of Severn, Md., president; Alex Young of  Shepherdsville, Ky., vice president; Amber Jinnett of Hodgenville, Ky., secretary; Lucas Arnold of  Liberty, Ky., treasurer; and Laura Mann of Mt. Washington, Ky., historian.

The theme of the chapter this year is literacy.

There are only two other private colleges in Kentucky with Kappa Delta Pi chapters - Thomas More College and the University of the Cumberlands, plus six state universities.

Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Listed in U.S.News & World Report's 2010 “America's Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 23rd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South and fourth in “up-and-coming” schools 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.