By Gerard Flanagan, news writer/photographer/social media, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - October 2019 marked the last President's Club Dinner before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
In the two years since, 青瓜视频 has confronted鈥攁nd overcome鈥攄ifficult challenges while experiencing substantial growth.
鈥淭he state of the university in October 2021 is in good shape,鈥� Dr. H. Keith Spears, interim president for 青瓜视频, said during the President's Club Dinner Oct. 25 in Winters Dining Hall. 鈥淭hat's our message.鈥�
On March 13, 2020, in response to COVID-19, 青瓜视频 decided to move all instruction online and send students home, Spears said.
鈥淲e made the decision students would have to go home, and we closed down this institution, not knowing what was going to happen,鈥� Spears said. 鈥淭here was no one on this campus, and it was really strange.鈥�
The move to online instruction proved to be a challenge for students and faculty, according to Spears, but they pulled through.
鈥淚t was a challenge for the students and faculty, but there's a lot of grit in this faculty, and they pulled it together,鈥� Spears said. 鈥淭hose students still learned at this institution even during that time, knowing the hand of God was still wrapped around them, no matter what they did.鈥�
In his 鈥淪tate of the University鈥� video address, Spears updated President's Club members on the fall 2021 semester at 青瓜视频.
鈥溓喙鲜悠� is like a tall, mighty oak tree that has bloomed into a new academic year, with a revival of excitement,鈥� Spears said. 鈥溾�he university has begun to look like its old self as students and faculty interact in the more traditional setting. COVID-19 dampened spirits last year, but the university community has overcome the malaises.鈥�
During last week's dinner, Spears read a resolution recognizing Donnie Gosser for his 36 years of service as a member of the Board of Trustees. He was named trustee emeritus; the first trustee to be so named. A board of trustee emeritus title is one used to designate a retired member of the board who is permitted to retain as an honorary title the rank of trustee.
There are a total of 57 new members to the President's Club for the 2019-2020 fiscal year and 107 new members to the President's Club for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
According to Dr. Benji Kelly, vice president for development, members of the President's Club, over the past two years, has given more than $7 million 鈥渢o help build someone's story.鈥�
鈥淎s a two-time graduate of this institution, we greatly appreciate the support you give us,鈥� Kelly said, 鈥渂ecause we could not do what we do here at the university without your financial support. You are making a difference.鈥�
Whitley Howlett, a senior from Louisville, Ky., majoring in art and graphic design, said the generosity of the President's Club has enabled her to pursue her education at 青瓜视频.
鈥淏ecause of your generosity, I was able to focus on my art, education and get very involved on campus,鈥� Howlett, who will graduate in December, said.
During her time at 青瓜视频, Howlett has worked in the Office of University Communications as a photographer. She's worked and volunteered with the university's Theater Department, where she has done special effects makeup, hair, costume design, stage design and props and for several productions. Howlett also completed a mural on campus in fall 2020.
鈥淚 am beyond grateful to those who have contributed to my education through their donations to 青瓜视频 and hope that you all are encouraged as much as I am when I reflect on your Christlike generosity and love for a stranger like me,鈥� Howlett said.
Spears said 青瓜视频 can grow from a good institution to a great institution.
鈥淲e ask you move forward with us in the future,鈥� Spears said.
鈥溓喙鲜悠� has been a good institution. Campbellsville city has been a good college town鈥ut it can only be a great college town if it reflects a great university, and you're the ones that make it great. We thank you for the Whitleys of the world, the young men and women who come here under the influence of this institution and go away better for it. On behalf of everyone here, you have our undying respect.鈥�
青瓜视频 is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 12,000 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.
