By Ian McAninch, student intern writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Jessica Johnson of Clarkson, Ky., one of the over 2,000 graduates at Campbellsville University, was the student recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award at the commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 4.
Dr. Michael V. Carter, Campbellsville University president, along with Board of Trustees Chairman Henry Lee and Dr. Donna Hedgepath, provost and vice president for academic affairs, presented the award to Johnson.
Carter said, “We are very honored this morning to present the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards for the 11th consecutive year.”
“Campbellsville University was selected in 2002 to participate in this very prestigious awards program that honors the memory and legacy of the late Algernon Sydney Sullivan,” he said.
“Mr. Sullivan was a lawyer, devout Christian, mediator, powerful and appealing orator, a courageous citizen during perilous times, a noted philanthropist and a devoted family man. In the words of a friend, Sullivan ‘reached out both hands in constant helpfulness to others.’”
Carter highlighted Johnson’s time at Campbellsville University before presenting the award. “While at CU, Jessica has been involved in many activities,” Carter said. “She has been a member of the dean’s list and has worked as an intern in the Office of Enrollment since the spring of 2016 and served as a Presidential Ambassador since the fall of 2015.
“Jessica is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Alpha Lambda Delta. She has served as a natural science tutor and has been involved in numerous other activities. Just two weeks ago, Jessica was honored with numerous academic awards and was named Miss Campbellsville for 2018-2019.”
“Through her work in the Office of Enrollment the past three years, she has exemplified and surpassed the expectation of a Campbellsville graduate. She has been a very active member of the Student Government Association (SGA) for the last three years by serving as SGA secretary.
“She has served as secretary of the Pre-professional Health Society and is a founding member, where she has played a vital part to help students in pre-professional program come together in their search for graduate and professional schools.”
“During her spare time, she has served as a seasonal optometric technician where she has gained valuable experience that she can take with her to graduate school. Jessica has been accepted to the Kentucky College of Optometry at the University of Pikeville and will begin there later this summer.”
Carter said, “It has been quoted that, ‘Jess has been an integral part of the dual credit team and a joy to work alongside. Her maturity and work ethic showed daily but what I love most about her is how she displays Christian servant leadership not only with her colleagues in the Office of Enrollment but also throughout the many activities she is involved in. I look forward to see what the future holds for her and those lives she will change along the way. She is a great friend!’”
Johnson is the daughter of Patricia Johnson of Clarkson, Ky., and David Johnson of Leitchfield, Ky.
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 university has off-campus centers in Kentucky cities Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset, Hodgenville and Liberty with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.
Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.