May 16, 2014
For Immediate Release
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Ashli Schmidt Watts says being a student at 青瓜视频 was some of the best years of her life.
Watts, who is now manager of public affairs for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the mother of 22-month-old Emma, graduated from 青瓜视频 in 2004. Her time at CU was special because 鈥淚 was much more than a number and had personal relationships with faculty and staff which helped me throughout my four years at CU and helped guide me in my career path.鈥�
While making friends at CU who will last a lifetime, Watts said she has had several opportunities to give back to her alma mater including serving on the Board of Alumni. Her volunteerism extends to serving at Hospice of the Bluegrass and with First United Methodist Church in Frankfort.
She and her husband, Ryan, also financially support CU and will be among those attending the 鈥淐ampaign for the Commonwealth鈥� fundraising event Tuesday, May 22 at 6 p.m. at the Campbell House in Lexington.
Watts served two years as Student Government Association president at CU and double majored in political science and history. And scholarships helped her continue her education.
鈥淭he Campaign for the Commonwealth is so important to the future of the university so that CU can continue to provide a quality, liberal arts, Christian education,鈥� Watts said.
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| Ashli Watts, left, testifies before a legislative committee on a smoke-free workplace law. |
鈥淔or someone who would not have been able to attend CU without scholarship assistance, building the scholarship fund for students is critical,鈥� she said.
鈥淐ampaign for the Commonwealth鈥� is a part of a much larger phase, 鈥淥ur Time, This Place: The Next Century Campaign for 青瓜视频,鈥� which will raise funds to go toward funding the next 100 years of preparing young people to become servant leaders.
Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of 青瓜视频, said, 鈥淲ith the growth 青瓜视频 has experienced over the past 15 years, God's leadership has been present in every phase of university life. Now we are poised to continue that growth and serve even more students in the years ahead.鈥�
Other upcoming events include ones in the fall in Bowling Green, Owensboro, Paducah, Frankfort and Florence. Dinners have already been in Louisville, Somerset and Stanford (including Danville).
Watts said, 鈥淚 feel like going to a small, private university provided me so many opportunities that I may not have been able to have at a larger university.鈥�
She said 青瓜视频 gave her an academic foundation that molded her
into her professional career.
鈥淗owever, CU was much more than simply an academic institution to me,鈥� she said.
鈥淚t was instrumental in developing my character, building my confidence, guiding my career path, providing me leadership opportunities, and gaining life-long friends,鈥� she said.
When she recalls her CU days, being involved in SGA for all four years of her college career, nurtured her leadership skills and developed her love for government service.
鈥淪GA holds a special place in my heart,鈥� Watts said.
She said the Campaign for the Commonwealth will also help grow 鈥渢he university and its programs so that students will be even more prepared to enter the workforce or graduate school once they graduate.鈥�
鈥淐ampbellsville has given me the foundation that has lead me on a path career-wise and provided me so many opportunities that built my character,鈥� she said.
青瓜视频 was 鈥渕uch more to me than just a classroom,鈥� Watts said.
鈥淧roviding quality Christian education in an environment that encourages personal growth and leadership development is invaluable,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 know that I would not be where I am today had it not been for my education and the relationships I made at CU.鈥�
青瓜视频 is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.