By Gerard Flanagan, news writer and photographer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Dr. Joseph Hopkins, 12th president of Campbellsville University, will give the first chapel address of the fall semester at the university’s chapel service in Ransdell Chapel, 401 N. Hoskins Ave., Campbellsville, Ky., at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 24, as part of Welcome Week.
Hopkins became the 12th president of Campbellsville University Feb. 1, 2022.
Prior to becoming the president of Campbellsville University, Hopkins served as dean of the School of Arts in Birmingham, Ala., from 2006 to 2022.
Hopkins also served as dean of the Petrie School of Music at Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C., from 2002 to 2006 and chair of the Department of Music at the University of Evansville in Evansville, Ind., from 2000 to 2002.
He has enjoyed a distinguished career as a scholar-performer and leader in arts administration, including appointments by international festivals, higher education councils and the Fulbright Program.
Hopkins founded and directed the Harlaxton International Chamber Music Festival, served on the faculty of the Operafestival di Roma and performed across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
Highlights include leading operatic roles; solo performances with the Moscow State Philharmonic, St. Petersburg State Orchestra, International Chamber Orchestra of Rome; and featured performances at St. Martin in the Fields Church of London, Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall and on Chinese National Radio.
Hopkins holds degrees from Shorter University, Baylor University and Indiana University. He completed the Management and Leadership in Education Diploma from Harvard University and was named a Fulbright Senior Specialist to Indonesia, where he taught at the Universitas Pelita Harapan.
Hopkins is an ordained minister and has served in churches in Indiana, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Kentucky. He was worship pastor at First Baptist Church of Birmingham.
The theme for the fall semester chapel series is “Hope.”
“Hope is a central theme we find in scripture, and central to our goals at Campbellsville University is to offer life changing hope to our students,” Trent Creason, campus minister at Campbellsville University, said.
“This year’s chapel will revolve around this theme of hope rooted in the person of Christ. Our hope is that students will discover and experience chapel as a source and space to receive hope this year,” he said.
Other confirmed chapel speakers for the fall semester include the following:
Aug. 31—Trent Creason, campus minister at Campbellsville University; Sept. 7—Dr. Mike O’Neal, associate professor of theology, Old Testament and Hebrew at Campbellsville University;
Sept. 14—Dr. Daniel Dickard, president of the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference, and his father, Dr. Wayne Dickard, along with Dr. Joseph Hopkins (Inauguration of Dr. Joseph Hopkins as the 12th president of Campbellsville University);
Sept. 21—Gennady and Mina Podgaisky, missionaries in Ukraine (Missions Week); Sept. 28—Dr. Corey Bonds, assistant professor of music and director of bands (Heritage Week); Oct. 5—Scotty Inman, Christian singer/songwriter; Oct. 12—Dr. Samuel Tolbert, president of the National Baptist Convention of America (Dialogue on Race);
Oct. 19—Demetria Gilkey, Christian speaker; Oct. 26—Edward de los Reyes, associate pastor at Hillvue Heights Church in Bowling Green, Ky. (International Week); Nov. 2—Paul Worcester, founding director of the Campus Ministry Network and national collegiate director for the North American Mission Board;
Nov. 9—Dr. Daniel Wilson, director of evangelism for the Alabama State Board of Missions; and Nov. 16—Dr. Micah Spicer, senior pastor at Third Baptist Church in Owensboro, Ky. (Thanksgiving).
The chapel service will be televised live on WLCU (Comcast Cable channel 10 and digital channel 15) and streamed live at wlcutv.com and the Campbellsville University Facebook page.
Chapel is designed to provide opportunities for corporate worship and exposure through a variety of informative speakers and presentations.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that has enrolled up to 12,000 students yearly. The university offers over 100 programs of study including doctoral, masters, bachelors, associate and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.