Campbellsville University welcomes students from India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Jordan

By Christina Kern, alumna communications consultant

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Dr. H. Keith Spears, vice president for communication and assistant to the president, speaks to the about 80 students from India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Jordan taking classes online through CU.

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (01/23/2016)(readMedia)-- More than 80 students from India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Jordan slid their way through the snow Saturday morning to Campbellsville University's Louisville Education Center for the kickoff to a history-making program for international students.

They traveled from all areas of the United States, including Milwaukee, St. Louis, Chicago, California and Texas, and some drove all night, to attend the one-day class in the first cohort of a residency program designed specifically for international students. Two additional cohorts are scheduled to begin later this year.

"The Campbellsville University School of Business and Economics is extremely excited to serve such a diverse group of students," Dr. Pat Cowherd, dean of the school, said. The School of Business and Economics is investigating other programs that are attractive to international and domestic students in Louisville.

Chris Sanders, director of the Louisville Education Center and former director of international education at the main campus, said, "Campbellsville University is dedicated to international diversity, so this is a logical next step in continued growth with international programs."

Campbellsville University has more than 300 international students (about 400 now with the new Louisville program), including more than 25 ESL students at the Louisville Education Center.

"With my experience in international education, this brings me great joy that we are thinking globally," Sanders said. "This will contribute to the recognition of Louisville as a world port of industry by bringing programs that have a global mindset. We are preparing students for the future, and this is a fantastic opportunity to open the door to a population Campbellsville University hasn't worked with before, especially at the Louisville Education Center."

Abdul Sami, a student from India living in Chicago, is very excited to start the program. He came to the U.S. in September after living in Australia for five years, and hopes to move to Louisville soon.

Chaitanya Chelle, also from India, has several friends in the program. "I'm excited to interact with and learn from other Indians," she said. She doesn't know what she wants to do when she completes the program, but said she is focusing on her studies and that will come later.

"I am deeply impressed by the dedication of these students," Dr. H. Keith Spears, vice president for communication and assistant to the president at Campbellsville University, said.

"They have overcome tremendous challenges: finances, visas and even the weather."

A few students even took a quick tour of the main campus in Campbellsville, Ky., by accident. Ahmad Abualrub, a student living in San Francisco, arrived at the Louisville airport in the wee hours of the morning, took an Uber ride to Campbellsville in 18-inch snow, got stuck and dug himself out. Then learned he was at the wrong campus. But he still made it to Louisville in time for the class.

"This is the dedication we're seeing," Spears said.

Here is a link to photographs from the event on the Campbellsville University Flickr page at https://flic.kr/s/aHsksiU3g2.

For more information on the new program, contact Sanders at the Louisville Education Center, located at 2300 Greene Way, Louisville, or via email at cmsanders@campbellsville.edu. He can be reached at by phone at (502) 753-0264 or 1-877-4CU-GRAD. You can also go to louisville@campbellsville.edu or www.CULouisville.com.

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.

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Nikhita Musunuru, left, registers for classes with Dr. Chris Conver, facilities coordinator and assistant professor of theology, at the Louisville Education Center. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

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Dr. Shane Garrison, dean for the Center for Online Education at Campbellsville University, welcomes Svavan Budpharajei to the Louisville Education Center. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

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Parani Guggilam asks a question at the session at Campbellsville University's Louisville Education Center. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

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Dr. H. Keith Spears, vice president for communication and assistant to the president, speaks to the about 80 students from India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Jordan taking classes online through Campbellsville University's Louisville Education Center. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)

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About 80 students from India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Jordan who gathered at Campbellsville University's Louisville Education Center today, Jan. 23, pose for a group shot along with representatives from both the Louisville Education Center and the main Campbellsville University campus. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Kern)