Aug. 12, 2016
For Immediate Release
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| Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, applauds during the unveiling of the plaque naming of the Ella Louise “Lou” Montgomery academic building at the Louisville Education Center. From left are Stephanie Montgomery, Kris Mullins and Alex Montgomery, widower of Lou Montgomery. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney) |
By Joan C. McKinney, coordinating director
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – A woman who grew up in Breathitt County, Ky., but became a well-known figure in Taylor County, Ky., was honored Aug. 9 by Campbellsville University as the first building in the Louisville Education Center (LEC) complex was named and dedicated to the late Ella Louise “Lou” Montgomery, who died Dec. 10, 2013.
Described as having a “servant’s heart,” “sweet spirit” and an “inner beauty,” Montgomery’s name is on the building in which thousands of students have sought their education.
“Her memory has not only touched thousands of lives but will touch thousands more in the years to come,” Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said at the ceremony.
“Christian work depends on folks who have tender hearts” like Mrs. Montgomery, Carter said.
“There is no greater calling any of us have than to realize and honor a saint who has changed so many lives,” he said.
Carter said the university had a site on Bardstown Road in Louisville, but needed to have its own center. This is when Alex Montgomery, a member of the Campbellsville University Board of Trustees, and his wife, Lou, stepped in. “They knew a way to see Christian higher education blossom in Jeffersontown, Ky.” by helping to secure a new building on Greene Way.
“The whole Louisville experiment would not have been possible without Alex and Lou,” Carter said.
The Louisville Education Center now has 500 plus students enrolled. Carter said some students even fly into Louisville from all over the United States to attend weekend classes. Faculty, with incredible credentials, fly in to teach, Carter said.
Stephanie Mullins Montgomery, Mrs. Montgomery’s daughter, said not going to college was not an option for her and her brother, Kris, as her mother insisted they do so. Her mother was one of eight children and only got to attend college one year. Stephanie graduated from Campbellsville in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and graduated again with a Master of Business Administration degree through the LEC in December 2014.
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| Stephanie Montgomery, right, talks about her experiences at and love for Campbellsville University and her mother during the dedication of the Ella Louise “Lou” Montgomery academic building at the Louisville Education Center. With her is her brother, Kris, who also spoke of her mother’s love for education and always encouraging them to be the best they could be. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney) |
Kris Mullins said the ceremony was an “extremely proud moment.” Mullins said his mother was always bothered that she didn’t graduate from college.
Having a college education was “extremely important” to her, he said, and, “She knew what we were capable of. She didn’t accept anything but the best from us.”
She had the ability to see in others greater things than they saw in themselves, he said.
Mullins said Campbellsville University was a part of their lives “forever” as they moved to Campbellsville in 1978.
Dr. Joseph L. Owens, chair of the Campbellsville University Board of Trustees, said, the day should change the rest of our lives.
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| The Ella Louise “Lou” Montgomery academic building at the Louisville Education Center is the first of two buildings used by the center for classes. (Campbellsville University Photo by Drew Tucker) |
“Every time we come into this building or even think about coming into this building, we will remember the awesome lady that Lou was. We will remember her graciousness, her warmth, her kind, loyal, sweet and respected person that she was, and her love for young people.”
Dr. James Jones, also a member of the CU Board of Trustees, gave the prayer of dedication, and he said he remembers baptizing both Lou and Alex together.
Dr. Keith Spears, vice president for communication and assistant to the president, gave the welcome and invocation and served as master of ceremonies.
For photos from the event, go to https://www.flickr.com/photos/campbellsvilleedu/albums/72157672298515805.
For more information on the Louisville Education Center, and the programs offered, contact Chris Sanders, director, at cmsanders@forms.campbellsville.edu at (502) 753-0264.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering over 80 programs of study including 24 master’s degrees, seven postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.