LV
Lee VanDyke
  • Math
  • Class of 2013
  • Bradfordsville, KY

Lee Anna Raikes VanDyke Recognized at Campbellsville University School of Education Pinning

2013 May 19

Campbellsville University students receiving education degrees were told to "be the best teacher you can be; work at it" by Dr. Frank Cheatham, senior vice president for academic affairs at CU in the School of Education's Pinning Ceremony May 3 in the Russ Mobley Theater.

Lee Anna Raikes VanDyke of Bradfordsville, Ky., was recognized for 5-12, middle/secondary education at the pinning ceremony. VanDyke's photo may be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/campbellsvilleedu/8747554335/in/set-72157633504305443/.

Cheatham told the students, which had the largest group of student teachers ever at 49, "We have the best School of Education program in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. You can talk to principals and superintendents, and they are very pleased with our product."

Sixty-one students were graduating in this year's School of Education class.

Cheatham told the students to make a difference and pay it forward as they begin their teaching careers. He told the students he was sitting in their place in 1965 and began his career as a math and biology teacher at Taylor County High School – a position he held one year.

He has been a professor and vice president at Campbellsville University since 1973.

Cheatham urged the students to take time to thank those who helped and supported them sometime before the commencement weekend was over.

"Find that special person and say 'thank you,'" he said.

He congratulated them on behalf of Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University.

Dr. Brenda Priddy, dean of the School of Education, said the class had the largest number of student teachers and "wonderful and creative ideas can come from students."

She explained the puzzle pin each was getting was the embodiment of "empowerment for learning – advancing scholars who are competent, caring and qualified," which is the theme of the School of Education.

"Our students know how to be successful," she said.

Maribeth Milburn, a senior from Lawrenceburg, Ky., who graduated with a P-5 elementary education degree, spoke on behalf of the graduating class and urged her fellow students to be "good teachers and to be like Jesus."

"We can be like him (Jesus) in the classroom," she said and told the students to find "joy, peace and kindness."

Campbellsville University 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.