Editor's Note: The funeral for Dr. Davenport can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5lKaUcHosA.
EDITOR'S NOTE: UPDATED STORY
Dr. William R. 鈥淩andy鈥� Davenport's funeral, at 2 p.m. EST tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 14, will be live streamed on 青瓜视频's WLCU-TV at /about/media/wlcu-fm-and-tv/. Davenport was president of Campbellsville College (now University) from 1969 to 1988. He died Feb. 10. He was 95.
By Joan C. McKinney, director, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Dr. William R. 鈥淩andy鈥� Davenport, president of Campbellsville College from 1969 to 1988, died Wednesday, Feb. 10 at his home in Campbellsville following an extended illness. He was 95.
Dr. H. Keith Spears, interim president of 青瓜视频, said Davenport was 鈥渁 stalwart that kept this institution moving during tough times. He was a solid rock that provided a foundation on which the success of CU rests today.鈥�
Davenport served Campbellsville College (now 青瓜视频) during one of 鈥渢he college's most difficult times,鈥� according to the university's history book written by the late Dr. J. Chester Badgett.
The history book said: 鈥淗e inherited a tremendous debt when enrollments were falling, with fewer military personnel attending under the G.I. bill, and fewer students graduating from high school.鈥�
鈥淭he trustees recognized that he had rendered invaluable service to the college, and that at his retirement the college was a thriving institution in a much-improved financial state,鈥� Badgett wrote.
Dr. Frank Cheatham was hired by Davenport as an assistant professor of mathematics in fall 1973. 鈥淚 have great respect, admiration and appreciation for Dr. Randy Davenport,鈥� Cheatham, who is retired and eventually became vice president for academic affairs and who is working part time for the university, said.
鈥淚 have always appreciated the opportunities he provided me to grow as a person and
professor and his support of academic freedom. Dr. Davenport served as president for
Campbellsville College during some of the most tenuous days for CC. He served during
the Vietnam war growth period for CC and the decreasing enrollment period of the early
'80s,
Cheatham said.
鈥淲hen enrollment dropped to a little above 500 in the mid-1980s, everyone except Dr. Davenport thought that Campbellsville College was on the road to closure. His faith and commitment to CC guided him and thus CC through these hard years. I would quickly add that 鈥榟ard' is an understatement.
鈥淥ne of his many accomplishments is the laying of the foundation for the return of football, absent since the 1930s, to start immediately after his retirement in 1988.
鈥淒r. Randy Davenport was always deeply concerned about the example employees set as Christian servant leaders, but just as concerned that students received a quality education. His door was always open for students and staff to discuss any concern.鈥�
Davenport retired Dec. 31, 1988 when he had concerns with his health. He felt he had done what he had hoped to achieve which was 鈥渁 college with strong academic quality possessing the vital margin of an equally strong evangelical Christian orientation and commitment,鈥� he said in the history book of 青瓜视频.
He was followed by Dr. Kenneth W. Winters in 1988 who served until 1999.
Winters said, 鈥淚 was so sorry to hear of Dr. Randy Davenport's death. His son Marty, who lives in Murray and attends the same church that we do, had kept me informed on Randy and Janet's condition over the past several years.
鈥淩andy was a special person and so very supportive of me during my presidency at Campbellsville University that I will never forget his council and encouragement.鈥�
When Dr. James E. Jones came to Campbellsville from Alabama in 1981 as pastor of Campbellsville Baptist Church, he met Davenport. They became prayer partners immediately.
鈥淒r. Davenport was one of the most honest men I have ever met,鈥� Jones, who serves on the university's Board of Trustees, said.
鈥淗e would come to my office every Tuesday morning, and we would get down on our knees and pray for the college,鈥� he said.
Jones said Davenport was concerned about paying the college's bills, and he would 鈥減our out a prayer that would touch anyone's heart. He knew how to talk to the Father.鈥�
He said Davenport used his Godly ability to encourage others to help the college financially.
鈥淗e was definitely a man of deep prayer and commitment to Jesus Christ,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淗e was concerned about the future of the college and believed the college had a great future. He was willing to fight for the college.鈥�
鈥淗e was a very kind man and was an encourager,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淗e loved the students and wanted to know about them personally.鈥�
Davenport was a strong supporter of The Gideons, serving from 1954 until his death. He served as the group's international president. Jones said he heard many messages from Davenport about The Gideons when he was raising money for them.
鈥淗e could touch your heart with those messages and want you to support The Gideons.
He was definitely a man of deep prayer and commitment to Jesus Christ,鈥� Jones said.
Al Hardy, who is retired and worked at the university from 1968 until June 2011, agreed with Jones that 鈥淒avenport was one of the most committed Christians I have ever known. His unwavering love for Jesus and the Bible was a great influence on many individuals including me,鈥� Hardy said.
鈥淗e not only knew the Scripture, he lived by it,鈥� Hardy said. 鈥淗is work with the
Gideons was indicative of his desire for all peoples in this world to have a copy of the Bible and thereby learn to trust in Jesus.鈥�
Hardy worked in many different positions with Davenport and said, 鈥淒r. Davenport's presidency was one of inheriting a financially struggling college. It was during this time that his impeccable character brought stability upon which those who followed have built.鈥�
Virginia Flanagan, who served under Davenport as director of public relations, alumni relations and TV, called him 鈥渁 gentleman who was exemplary of Christian honor and character.鈥�
She said he led Campbellsville College through years of challenging times but with Christian values and hard work as the guiding force. 鈥淚t was my honor and privilege to serve during his tenure,鈥� Flanagan said. Flanagan now serves part time as special assistant to the president for communication relations.
鈥淒r. Randy Davenport was a beloved Christian higher education leader who served with great honor and distinction as president during a strategic period in the history of 青瓜视频 (then Campbellsville College),鈥� Dr. John Chowning, executive assistant to the president for government, community and constituent relations, said.
鈥淗e was known for his strong Christian faith, belief in the transforming power of Jesus Christ and commitment to Christ-centered higher education. Dr. Davenport was well known and highly respected across Kentucky and beyond for his service and leadership as president.
鈥淲e extend our heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Davenport and all the Davenport family and are thankful for his service and commitment to 青瓜视频.鈥�
Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of 青瓜视频 from 1999 until his retirement in 2020, said, 鈥淚t is with great sadness that I learn of the passing of Dr. Randy Davenport.
鈥淒r. Davenport was a stalwart voice of Campbellsville College during a time much social unrest was present in our country. He was dedicated to keeping the academic and spiritual mission of the school first and foremost.
鈥淚n the line of CU presidents, he played a key role in the life and development of the college. He was joined by his dear wife, Janet, and their wonderful family as they served the college for 19 years.
鈥淗is contributions to the Gideons and to Campbellsville Baptist Church are too many to mention. His voice was one of clear reason, dedicated to being fair and Christ-centered in all that he undertook,鈥� Carter said.
Davenport was born in Pineville, Mo., and attended elementary and secondary schools in Missouri. He earned an A.B. degree in chemistry from the University of Louisville; a M.S. in science education from the University of Arkansas; and his Ed.D. in administration and supervision from the University of Arkansas.
He began his academic career teaching science and serving as a principal. He was instructor in education at the University of Arkansas; associate professor of education and director of student teaching at Butler University in Indianapolis; professor of education and chairman of the Department of Education at the University of Michigan at Flint; and a consultant on television instruction with Midwest Program on Airborne Television Instruction.
He served as a reserve in the United States Navy and was active in various community and church activities. He belonged to Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Delta Kappa and was a member of Kiwanis International, past chairman of the Council of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU) and various positions with the Gideons International and locally.
鈥溓喙鲜悠� and the greater Campbellsville community have lost one of her finest,鈥� Carter said.
Davenport is survived by his wife, Janet; four children, three of whom graduated from Campbellsville College, and are: Marty Davenport ('74) of New Concord, Ky.; Mary Davenport ('76), also of Louisville; Susan Davenport ('79) of Carbondale, Ill., and Liz Wilson of Louisville; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Noah and Braeden Stewart and William Stovall. Two of the grandchildren, Julie Davenport ('06) and Ben Stewart ('04) graduated from Campbellsville as well as Sue Davenport ('74), wife of Marty Davenport. The other five grandchildren are: BJ, Jon and Mike Wilson, Jenny Davenport and Abbie Stovall.
青瓜视频 is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 13,500 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The website for complete information is鈥�www.campbellsville.edu.