Sharayah Franklin
  • Class of 2012
  • Louisville, KY

Sharayah Katheryn Franklin of Louisville, Ky. Graduates with master of theology from Campbellsville University

2012 May 7

Campbellsville University bestowed degrees on a record-breaking number of graduates, 597, for the 2011-12 academic year. In ceremonies Friday, May 4, there were 132 students who received master's degrees and 248 undergraduates received their degrees on Saturday, May 5, for a total of 380 in the May ceremony. There were 217 graduates in December ceremonies.

Sharayah Katheryn Franklin of Louisville, Ky. graduated with a master of theology from Campbellsville University.

There were 217 bachelor's degrees, 132 master's degrees and 31 associate degrees presented by Dr. Michael V. Carter, president, and Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs. The students receive their degrees upon completion of all academic requirements.

Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, United States ambassador at large for international religious freedom, addressed the 248 undergraduate students in Saturday's ceremony at Powell Athletic Center.

Johnson Cook acknowledged CU's recent appointment to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for 2012 and said, "You have spent four years learning and growing in a university which believes in serving others. Now, you are about to embark on a journey of ever-greater engagement with the world around you.

"Whatever else you remember as you begin working in business, in education, in science, in medicine, in ministry-don't lose sight of this great lesson taught here at Campbellsville University: Find your call and do it."

Dr. Gary Cox, as president of the Association of Intercollegiate Kentucky Colleges and Universities, coordinates AIKCU's legislative, public policy, advocacy, fundraising and cooperate activities.

In addressing the 132 graduate students in Ransdell Chapel, Cox said, "Your graduate degree from Campbellsville University is as good as it gets in Kentucky, this region and the nation."

Cox said, "The proof is in the numbers, in the growing numbers of students, consumers of education, that has been and continues to enroll and graduate at all levels here at Campbellsville University."

Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said, "This is a very special day – a day that you as graduates and your family will long remember."

Carter charged the graduates in both ceremonies to make a difference in the world and to be proud graduates of Campbellsville University. He urged them "go forth and make fellowship, leadership and scholarship (words on the CU academic seal) a way of life."

During the Saturday morning service, Chelsi Netherland of Leitchfield, Ky., responded to the charge by promising to: commit to speak highly of the university, commit to walk out Christian fellowship with every person we come in contact with, commit to model servant leadership after the example of Christ and to continue in seeking after knowledge and being built up in godly wisdom.

Christina Kern of Campbellsville, Ky., formerly of Danville, Ky., responded to Carter's charge for the master's students. She said, "We will use the seal of our alma mater -- fellowship, leadership, scholarship -- as a model for our future lives to bring change to our everyday world."

She said the graduates will commit to: scholarship, we commit to never stop learning; fellowship in our lives so we may continue to share His love; and leadership to lead by the example Christ gave to us."

The breakdown of degrees include: bachelor's students: bachelor of arts, nine; bachelor of music, eight; bachelor of science, 147; bachelor of social work, 18; and bachelor of science in business administration, 37; the associate degrees include: associate of nursing, 24, and associate of science, six; and master's degrees include: master of arts in organizational leadership, four; master of arts in social science, two; master of arts in special education, 19; master of business administration, 21; Master of music in piano pedagogy, one; master of music performance, five; master of music in conducting, one; master of arts in education, three; master of arts in music, five; master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages, eight; master of music in music education, three; master of social work, 20; master of theology, six; master of science in counseling, eight; teacher leader master of arts in education, six; and teacher leader master of arts in special education, 15.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. For more information visit campbellsville.edu.