By Gerard Flanagan, news writer/photographer/social media, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. –Dr. Joseph Budd, associate professor of criminal justice at Campbellsville University, will speak at Campbellsville University’s Veterans Day chapel at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 10, in Ransdell Chapel, 401 N. Hoskins Ave., Campbellsville.
Budd, who also serves as the program coordinator for the Master’s in Justice Studies program, teaches at the university’s Louisville Education Center.
Budd, a native of Pittsburg, Pa., has been employed at Campbellsville University since fall 2016.
Budd came to Campbellsville University after a career in law enforcement in Georgia. His law enforcement career began with the Ray City Police Department in 1999. He spent three years there before moving to the Nashville Police Department in Georgia, serving as a patrol officer and detective for three years. Budd then joined the Tift County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia as a deputy for one year before moving to Kentucky.
Budd joined the United States Air Force in 1987 following graduation from high school. Budd was an A-10 attack aircraft mechanic during his time in the Air Force and served in the first Gulf War. Budd also served three tours in Kuwait as part of Operation Southern Watch.
Budd ended his service in October 2001 with an honorable discharge, having received the following recognitions: Air Force Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), Air Force Achievement Medal with two OLCs, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education with one OLC, National Defense Service Medal, USAF Overseas Service Long Tour, South West Asia Service Medal with one service star, USAF Training Ribbon, USAF Longevity Service Award with two OLCs, USAF Good Conduct Medal with four OLCs, USAF Outstanding Unit Award with one silver OLC.
Budd earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Valdsota State University in Valdosta, Ga. in 2004. He received his Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Valdosta State in 2005. His research thesis was titled “An Analysis of Citizen Perceptions and Satisfaction with the Nashville, Georgia, Police Department.”
Budd received his Doctor of Educational Leadership from Argosy University in Schaumberg, Ill. in 2014. His doctoral dissertation was titled “An Analysis of Learning Styles of Criminal Justice Students Enrolled at Three Undergraduate Colleges Across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”
Budd lives in Simpsonville, Ky. Budd has a stepdaughter, Lindsey; two sons, Nicholas and Zachary; and five grandchildren.
Zachary is a senior at Campbellsville University who is double majoring in mass communication (digital media) and political science. Budd married his wife, Christi, in 1997.
Christian country musician Steve Bridgmon will provide the music at the Nov. 10 chapel. Originally from Owensboro, Ky., Bridgmon lives in Nashville, Tenn. In 2017, Bridgmon won the Inspirational Country Music Association New Artist of the Year award.
Bridgmon also received a Josie Award for a duo vocal performance for the song, “You Can Always Come Home” in 2019. Bridgmon sung the song with Allie Colleen—the daughter of Garth Brooks.
Bridgmon’s signature songs are as follows: “If You Believe It,” “Somewhere There’s a River,” “Living in Black and White,” “Joyride” and “He Remembered.”
Bridgmon has also made three appearances on the Grand Ole Opry stage—in 2017, 2018 and 2019—and performed the national anthem twice at the Staples Center for the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers.
All chapels are open to the public free of charge and are televised live on WLCU (Comcast Cable channel 10 and digital channel 15) and are streamed live at wlcutv.com.
At this time, masks are required for all in-person gatherings on the Campbellsville University campus. The university follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Commonwealth of Kentucky guidelines on best practices.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 12,000 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.