By Scarlett Birge, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – A time of reflecting and rejoicing, multitudes of people were welcomed to Campbellsville University to attend the annual gathering.
Darryl Peavler, director of athletic alumni, said Campbellsville University’s Homecoming “impacts the entire community, not just the campus.”
With the cooling down of the weather comes the rising anticipation for the long-awaited annual Campbellsville University Homecoming exuberance. This year’s theme, “On, you Tigers!” encouraged retrospective consideration on heritage and prospective contemplation on progression.
The alumni activities offered allowed for attendees to take a deeper look into where the university has come from and who has helped to shape Campbellsville into what it is today. “Our alumni return home to their alma mater to relive their days as a student and reconnect with classmates, professors and friends,” Peavler said.
As a token of the University’s appreciation for alums, the annual Alumni Reception and Award Ceremony was hosted in a tent on Stapp Lawn. As part of the ceremony, the 2019 Distinguished Alumni were announced Hilda Legg (1974 graduate); Fred (1974) and Martha Brooks Stein (1975) of Glendale, Ky. Paul Hert and Jan Harston Hert were named Honorary Alumni. Legg also served as grand marshal of the Homecoming parade.
The Golden Heritage Club induction, reunion and lunch was held to honor alumni who now celebrate 50 years or more of being a Campbellsville University alumnus. “For many of our older graduates, returning to campus reveals the growth and advancement of their school. They also are able to relive their glory days and reminisce of the fond memories they had as a student,” Peavler said.
Starting off Saturday’s activities, the 5k run had 15 participants. Top winners for the race were Yingxin Mi with a time of 20 minutes and 32 seconds and Isabella Day with a time of 21 minutes and 47 seconds. Other participants were Mauricio Petito, Les Chadwick, Cody Cox, Shelly McCamish, Levi McCamish, Sara Bashem, Kate Hartlage, Kairyn Johnson, Cheryl Akins, Kelly Wheeler, Maddie Peavler, Sherry Peavler and Tish Necessary.
In addition, the 27th annual Homecoming Car Show held on the Montgomery Library Lawn had a great outcome with vehicles that were “old, new and everything in between” said Stan McKinney, member of the Tri-County Car Club who is lead professor for mass communication at Campbellsville University.
Winning the title of Best of Show was Jimmy Perkins of Campbellsville, Ky. with a 2003 Harley Davidson, and J.F. Grider of Columbia, Ky. with a 1959 Chevrolet Apache pickup.
Commemorating the latest architectural addition to the campus, the Athletic Fieldhouse dedication was held to further praise the hard work and support it took to be able to present the new building.
Rusty Hollingsworth, vice president for athletics, welcomed the crowd before Emmanuel Johnson, a Campbellsville University junior on the football team, gave the invocation. Dr. Michael V. Carter, university president; David Cozart, a member of the Board of Trustees; Jim Hardy, director of athletics; and Perry Thomas, head football coach, all spoke of their gratitude and aspirations for the fieldhouse. The dedication closed with a prayer from Eric Graves, assistant athletic director.
Immediately following the fieldhouse dedication was the Homecoming parade. Cherished by the whole community, the festive floats traveled down Main Street and made their way back to campus. Prizes were awarded to the floats with the Student Government Association coming in third with a prize of $100, the Education Club in second with a prize of $200, and the International Students Club in first with a prize of $300.
Drawing a substantial crowd, the Homecoming Festival was “the heart of all activities taking place before the game,” said Trent Creason, director of student activities. With inflatables, arrow tag, face painting, pumpkin painting, a ring toss, and “Dum Dum Mums,” the festival offered opportunities for all ages and an atmosphere to mingle and reconnect.
The day’s festivities were brought to an end with the Homecoming football game, which is the “grand finale of the weekend,” according to Peavler. The game started at 2:01 p.m. to pay tribute to the legacy of the late Coach Ron Finley. Facing off against the University of Pikeville Bears, the Finley Stadium stands were overflowing with enthusiastic fans of the Tigers and Bears alike as the game progressed. The Tigers lost 35 to 15 to the Bears of Pikeville.
During halftime, Savannah Gregory from Scottsville, Ky., who represented the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was announced as the 2019 Homecoming Queen; Krystan Armstrong from Townsend, Ga., who represented the Black Student Association, was announced as first runner-up; and Hannah Kennedy from Somerset, Ky., who represented the Office of University Communications, was announced as the second runner-up.
Other candidates for Homecoming were McKenzie Bacich from Stockton, Calif., who represented Commuters; Olivia Napier from Mt. Washington, Ky., who represented Cross Country; Sara Jean Hughes from Lebanon, Ky., who represented Sigma Zeta; Kelly Overstreet from Lebanon, Ky., who represented Honors; Charlotte Fowler from Katy, Texas, who represented Omicron Delta Kappa; Kaleigh Foster from Mt. Washington, Ky., who represented Education Club; Lindsey Magruder from Bardstown, Ky., who represented the Baptist Campus Ministry; and Ali Flaherty from Brandenburg, Ky., who served as the Freshman Attendant.
The Tiger Marching Band and the Lady Tiger Dance team also performed during halftime.
“The University appreciates everyone attending and making it a special weekend,” Peavler said.
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 Kentucky based off-campus centers in Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset, Hodgenville and Liberty with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville. Out-of-state centers include two in California at Los Angeles and Lathrop, located in the San Francisco Bay region. The website for complete information is www.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.
