Campbellsville University's spring commencement ceremony

By Hanna Hall, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (04/17/2014)(readMedia)-- Campbellsville University will hold two commencement ceremonies this spring. Graduate commencement services take place Friday, May 2 at 7 p.m. in the Ransdell Chapel, and undergraduate commencement will occur on Saturday, May 3 at 9 a.m. in the Powell Athletic Center.

Each commencement ceremony is immediately preceded by the traditional "March to the Venue" where the service is to be held. Dr. Michael V. Carter, president, and distinguished guests lead faculty and candidates on a short walk symbolizing a final pass across campus. The graduate walk will begin at Montgomery Library at 6:30 on Friday evening and the undergraduate walk with start at 8:30 Saturday morning.

Campbellsville University graduates students upon completion of all academic requirements. There will be 150 students graduating with a master's degree and 262 students graduating with a bachelor's or associate degree.

The master's degrees that are being received at graduation include the following: master of business administration, 30; master of arts in organizational leadership, five; master of arts in school improvement, two;

master of theology, 14; teacher leader master of arts, six; master of arts in social sciences, two;

master of arts in special education, seven; teacher leader master of arts in special education, 31; master of arts in teaching English to students of other languages, four;

master of science in counseling, 13; master of social work, 27; master of arts in music, five; and master of music in performance, four.

One hundred and forty forty students will be graduating with bachelor's degrees in the following areas: biblical studies, one; business administration, with an emphasis in: accounting, eight; administration technology, five; business administration, two; computer information systems, three; healthcare management, one; management, nine; and marketing, seven.

In addition, Christian social ministry, one; criminal justice administration, 14; early childhood education, nine;

educational ministries, two; English, two; exercise science, two; exercise science/sports medicine, two; health and physical education, three;

interdisciplinary early childhood education, eight; mass communication, five; music, five; music education, seven; nursing, 10;

organizational management, four; pastoral ministries, two; social studies, five; social work, 15; sport management, 10; and vocal performance, two.

A total of 44 graduates will be receiving associate degrees, which includes: business administration, three; Christian studies, three; criminal justice, one; early childhood education, two; general studies, four; and nursing, 31.

Candidates, their families and friends are also welcome as guests to a graduate dinner, sponsored by the CU Alumni Association, in Winters Dining Hall. Each graduate is entitled to three free tickets (one for the graduate and two additional for guests). Additional tickets can be purchased for $10 each. Children six and under can eat at no cost. The cost for children age's seven to twelve is $5.

Tickets may be picked up in the Alumni Office prior to the event, or sent to the graduate's UPO. Please let the office know if you need to purchase extra tickets by April 28, to help better plan for the event. These additional tickets can be purchased at the Winters Dinning Hall on May 2.

U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, R--Ky., will be the speaker at Saturday's undergraduate ceremony. He is the first Republican to represent Kentucky's First Congressional District.

Whitfield is a native of Hopkinsville, Kentucky and attended Madisonville High School. He earned a bachelor's degree and Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky. He also studied at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., where he now serves on the Board of Governors. Whitfield served as a 1st Lieutenant in the 100th Division of the U.S. Army Reserves.

Congressman Whitfield served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1974-75 while practicing law in Hopkinsville. In 1979, he became Counsel to the President of Seaboard System Railroad in Washington, D.C. Later, he was named Vice President of State Relations and then Vice President for Federal Railroad Affairs for CSX Corporation. Whitfield served as Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) from 1991 to 1993 where he worked to reduce regulation of the nation's barge, railroad and trucking industries.

Whitfield serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Power of the full House Energy and Commerce Committee. He is also a member of the Subcommittee on the Environment and Economy and the Subcommittee on Health.

Some of his major legislative accomplishments include creating the 170,000 acre National Recreation Area at the Land Between the Lakes; introducing and passing legislation to create a Health Compensation Program at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, which has paid over $315,000,000 in compensation to 3,139 employees and their survivors; helping to create the first Medicare Prescription drug benefit plan for seniors; and advocating for the humane treatment of animals.

The Congressman is married to Connie Harriman, who has served as Assistant Secretary of the Interior and Director of the U.S. Export-Import Bank.

For more information on commencement, contact the Office of Student Records at (270) 789-5233.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 3 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is Campbellsville.edu.