Campbellsville University appoints Rusty Watkins dean of student services

By Joan C. McKinney, coordinating director, Office of University Communications

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Rusty Watkins

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (03/24/2017) (readMedia)-- Rusty Watkins, who has served Campbellsville University 16 years, has been appointed dean of student services at the university effective today, according to an announcement from Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of the university.

He had served as interim coordinator of student services since January.

Carter said Watkins has provided "outstanding leadership" during his employment with Campbellsville University. "He has led Campbellsville to have a premier summer camps program, assisted in several roles in student services, and most recently has been serving as our coordinator of student services.

During his role as coordinator, we have seen several very nice improvements take place in student life."

Watkins will be under the supervision of Dr. Donna Hedgepath, vice president for academic affairs, with the Office of Student Services, Office of Campus Ministries, Office of Conferences/Camps, Office of Student Activities, Office of Counseling Services, Office of Health Services, Office of Residence Life and Office of Safety/Security, reporting directly to Watkins.

"Rusty encompasses the mission of Campbellsville University as a true servant leader," Hedgepath said.

"He genuinely cares about our students, ministers to them and looks for ways to help students be successful. Rusty is a natural leader and has shown a high degree of integrity and professionalism during his tenure at Campbellsville University."

Watkins will continue the oversight for summer camps and conferences and coordinate a leadership committee for student life, a policy and procedural group.

Watkins is a 1980 graduate of Garrard County High School. He is a 1989 graduate of Boyce Bible School with a diploma in Christian ministry, a 1999 graduate of Campbellsville University with a Bachelor of Science in Christian Ministries, a 1992 graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts in Christian Education and a 2005 graduate of Campbellsville University with a Master of Theology degree.

He has served as coordinator of summer camps and conferences since 2001. He was a resident director at CU from 2000 to 2005 and served as associate pastor at Elk Horn Baptist Church from 1993 until 1999. He also served as youth pastor at Hyattsville Baptist Church from 1987 until 1993.

He is married to Megan Basham Watkins, a 2000 CU alumna with a Bachelor of Science in Education Ministry, who has taught and served in other roles at CU, and they have one son, Caleb.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 4,500 students offering over 80 programs of study including 19 master's degrees, six postgraduate areas and seven pre-professional programs. The university has off-campus centers in Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset and Hodgenville with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville and a full complement of online programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.