Sept. 30, 2009
For Immediate Release
Cutting the ribbon at the dedication of the School of Education building dedication were from left: Paul Osborne, chair of the CU Board of Trustees’ building and grounds committee; Mark Carney, Taylor County clerk; Kenneth Koehler, architect; Fred Hilpp; Campbellsville Mayor Brenda Allen; Janet Clark, retired teacher, Taylor County Elementary School; Taylor County Judge/Executive Eddie Rogers; Dr. Phil Rogers, executive director, Education Professional Standards Board; Dr. Brenda Priddy, dean of the School of Education; Ashley Greer, senior from Eubank, Ky.; Dr. Joel Carwile, pastor of Valley View Church, Louisville, Ky.; Dr. Michael V. Carter, CU president; Jim Achterhof with Richard D. Van Lunen Foundation; Michael Dailey, director, Division of Educator Quality and Diversity, Kentucky Department of Education; Dr. Carol Garrison, professor of education; and Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs. (Campbellsville University Photo by Andre Tomaz)
CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY DEDICATES NEW SCHOOL OF EDUCATION BUILDING
By Rachel Crenshaw, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Room 123 of the newly completed School of Education building was packed from wall to wall as Campbellsville University held a ceremony dedicating the new building Sept. 23.
In an opening prayer at the dedication, Dr. Robert VanEst, associate professor of education, thanked God for allowing “the new facility vision to become a reality.”
Dr. Brenda Priddy, associate professor and dean of the School of Education, said, “Exactly, 13 months ago, we gathered under a white tent to break ground for the new School of Education building, and here we are, dedicating this beautiful 14,000-square foot facility that consists of 21 offices, a conference room and six classrooms.”
Priddy said at the center of the new building is the “Beulah Campbell Collection Room.” Campbell, who has received national recognition for her interest in children’s literature, has donated many children’s books and children’s illustrations to CU’s School of Education including the entire original illustrations from the children’s book “The Knee Baby” by Mary Jarrell and illustrations by Symeon Shimin.
Campbell, who graduated from Campbellsville College in 1936 and received an honorary doctorate from CU in 2005, has conducted children’s literature conferences, workshops and festivals all over the world.
Priddy said the room demonstrates Campbell’s impressive collection of original art work and illustrations. She said the room would help others to “learn more about Campbell’s life’s work dedicated to preparing teachers and bringing to life for her students the world of children’s literature.”
Also recognized at the dedication was James Achterhof, on behalf of the Richard D. Van Lunen Foundation, for the foundation’s significant lead gift to the School of Education.
Dr. Phil Rogers, far right, executive director, Education Professional Standards Board, receives a framed picture of the Campbellsville University School of Education building to be hung in the conference room where EPSB meetings are held in Frankfort, from Dr. Brenda Priddy, dean of the School of Education. At left is Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of CU, and Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs at CU. (Campbellsville University Photo by Andre Tomaz)
Achterhof said it was a pleasure to see the results of the donations given to the building. “As Christians we have a responsibility to teach children,” Achterhof said, “and teachers have the power to influence thousands and thousands of students.”
Ashley Greer, a senior in secondary education of Eubank, Ky., spoke on behalf of the students at the School of Education at the dedication. She said, “The education students now have a place to call our own, and we take pride in this establishment.
“As we dedicate this new building I can’t help but see the great expansion that has now taken place at CU with over 300 students in the education program,” Greer said. “But even though the numbers may increase and the building may change one thing remains — CU empowers outstanding educators.”
Benji Kelly, vice president for development, also recognized many other individuals who played a vital role in the construction of the brand new education building including the mayor of Campbellsville, Brenda Allen, and the county clerk, Mark Carney.
Paul Osborne, chair of the CU Board of Trustees buildings and grounds committee, gave special thanks to the building and grounds committee and said the trustees were excited to celebrate the victory of the building but were also ready to continue on with progress.
Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs and professor of math and computer science, said the School of Education was a “shining star” at CU with its stellar academic program.
Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of CU, concluded the ceremony just before the ribbon cutting. He said the completion of the new facility was a team effort compiled of those who believe in the future of CU including over 60 donors.
He said the School of Education has incredible faculty and staff and one of the best deans of teacher education.
Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, speaks to a full crowd at the School of Education dedication. (Campbellsville University Photo by Andre Tomaz)
In the closing prayer by Dr. Joel Carwile, pastor of Valley View Church in Louisville, Ky., he said it was an honor to stand in front of the new building where teachers will become empowered to inspire others and raise up a new generation.
The School of Education consists of 20 programs including P-5, elementary education; 5-9, middle grades education; 8-12, English, math, biology, chemistry and social studies; P-12, art, music, health, physical education and special education; P-12, ESL endorsement; early childhood education; interdisciplinary early childhood education; master of arts in education; master of arts in special education; gifted education endorsement; director of special education and Rank 1 program.
The faculty, with nine doctoral degrees, consists of 15 members at the School of Education. In addition, the program has a student teacher exit program: a partnership with regional administrators and teachers that include evaluations of students’ professional portfolios, mock employment interviews and a mini job fair.
The program also sponsors P-12 school events including: Excellence in Teaching program, Future Educators of America (FEA) Regional Conference, FEA summer camp, a minority recruitment program called “Pathways to Teaching” and the summer Outdoor Classroom Institute.
For the ’08-’09 academic year, there were 590 students in the School of Education programs.
The School of Education has a $2.8 million grant with Kentucky Alternative Certification in Special Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education has accredited it since 2007.
Teacher education was one of the founding programs of the institute when it was established as Russell Creek Academy in 1906. By 1917, 350 teachers were trained under the new established. Later the education department began offering several bachelor of science programs in elementary and secondary education after Campbellsville College became a four-year institution in 1957.
In 1973, the school achieved becoming the Professional Studies Division and the School of Education in 1998. In 2009, an Alpha Epsilon Omicron chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education, was started.
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.
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