Administration from both Campbellsville University and Simmons College of Kentucky were at the check presentation of $20,000 from The Gheens Foundation for “CU 360” technology. From left are: the Rev. J. Ronald Sams, executive vice president at Simmons College of Kentucky; the Rev. Frank Smith, executive vice president at Simmons; the Rev. John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president at Campbellsville University; Guy Montgomery of Louisville, member of the CU Board of Trustees; Dr. Johnnie Clark of Louisville, board member of Simmons College of Kentucky and Campbellsville University; Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University; Carl M. Thomas, executive director The Gheens Foundation Inc.; Dr. Kevin W. Cosby, president of Simmons College of Kentucky; Bill Lamb, president and general manager of WDRB-TV in Louisville; Dr. Brian Wells, vice president of academic affairs at Simmons; Dr. Keith Spears, vice president for regional and professional education at Campbellsville University; and Benji Kelly, vice president for development at Campbellsville University. (Campbellsville University Photo by Linda Waggener)
Feb. 22, 2011
For Immediate Release
By Linda Waggener, marketing and media relations coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — “This is exactly the type of project that The Gheens Foundation likes to approve,” said Carl M. Thomas, executive director of the foundation, at today’s check presentation in the historic Steward Hall Heritage Room of Simmons College of Kentucky in west Louisville.
Thomas said he knew the late C. Edwin and Mary Jo Gheens would be smiling down on the group assembled there because of their deep Baptist roots and dedication to education.
The Gheens Foundation grant to Campbellsville University will provide for placement of the new “CU 360” system on the Simmons College campus. Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, and Dr. Kevin Cosby, president of Simmons College of Kentucky, received a check from The Gheens Foundation in the amount of $20,000 to install a teleconferencing center on the Simmons campus.
The new initiative grows out of the historic covenant partnership agreement signed by Carter and Cosby nearly five years ago.
 |
| Dr. Kevin Cosby, left, president of Simmons College of Kentucky, and Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, stand at the historical marker at Simmons. (Campbellsville University Photo by Linda Waggener) |
Carter said, “We are very grateful for the opportunity The Gheens Foundations has afforded our two schools for this idea whose time has come, reaching multiple sites in a split second. It is a very exciting day as we further our partnership.”
He said the two institutions, one rural and one urban, have accomplished much and still have much to do as the relationship continues to build.
Cosby said, “Because of this gift from The Gheens Foundation and because of the partnership with Campbellsville University, this technology will allow us to reach the underserved in west Louisville. I strongly believe the answer to the woes in the black community is education. Racism may slow you down but the absence of education will knock you out.”
Cosby said, “Dr. Michael Carter has become a model for me of what a leader of higher education should be. Because of Campbellsville University’s outreach, this move will help solve the problem of social isolation.”
Campbellsville University and Simmons College faculty, staff and students will use the “CU 360” technology. A CU faculty member may sign in on the main Campbellsville campus to teach a course with students at Simmons and other sites linked into the class instantaneously and have complete ability by all involved to interact and participate.
 |
| Among those attending the check presentation at Simmons College of Kentucky were from left: Front – the Rev. John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president at Campbellsville University; Dr. Brian Wells, vice president of academic affairs at Simmons College of Kentucky; Dr. Kevin W. Cosby, president of Simmons College of Kentucky; Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University; the Rev. J. Ronald Sams, executive vice president of Simmons College of Kentucky; Dr. Keith Spears, vice president for regional and professional education at Campbellsville University; and Benji Kelly, vice president for development at Campbellsville University. In back is the Rev. Frank Smith, executive vice president at Simmons College of Kentucky. (Campbellsville University Photo by Linda Waggener)
|
The teleconferencing capability provides both institutions with the ability to participate and interact with groups at any similar site across the nation and world.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate programs, 17 master’s degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.