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Campbellsville University President's Club welcomes 40 new members; raises $9.1 million

by Gerard Flanagan, lead writer and communications specialist, Office of Marketing and Communications

Campbellsville, KY (11/18/2025) — Josie Smallwood came to Campbellsville University intent on majoring in elementary education, with hopes to one day become a teacher.

However, soon after arriving on campus, she realized her passions and interests were taking her in a different direction, and she eventually made the switch to double major in political science and international missions.

As Smallwood shared about her experience at CU during the annual President's Club Dinner on Oct. 27 in the E. Bruce Heilman Welcome Center, she shared about her CU journey and how CU's donors have helped her pursue her dreams and passions.

Smallwood, a sophomore at CU, told those at the dinner that she received a CU presidential scholarship, which has helped to pay for her tuition, books and housing on campus.

"This news alleviated my stress about finances when it came to college," Smallwood stated.

For the 2024-25 fiscal year, the President's Club raised $9.1 million and welcomed 40 new members.

Smallwood also served as an intern in U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell's office over the summer, spending six weeks in Washington D.C.

"My internship exceeded my expectations and gave me a first-hand look into politics," Smallwood said.

Smallwood has also volunteered for a mission trip in Peru and felt the Lord move in "miraculous ways." In addition, CU has also afforded her other opportunities to grow, such as participating in a book club hosted by CU President Dr. Joseph Hopkins that went over the book, "Leadership 101," by John Maxwell. Smallwood has also taken on a leadership role in the Light, a women's ministry at CU.

"Being a part of this ministry has allowed me to practice my leadership skills and also apply the concepts I learned in the book club. As I serve the Lord, my scholarship has given me the financial freedom to pursue all of these opportunities as I serve the Lord," she shared.

Smallwood added, "I am grateful to be at Campbellsville University, where I have been challenged to grow not only as a student but also as a Christian. I am also grateful to everyone who generously invests in students' educations and futures such as mine. You have made my story possible. Thank you."

Those at the President Club's Dinner also heard from Zeke Carwile, a sophomore at CU who is double-majoring in sports management and pastoral ministries.

"A little bit of my testimony is that I ran away from the college ministry for two years," Carwile said. "I did everything I could possibly do to not listen to God."

Carwile shared that he had ambitions to enter the medical field but heard God telling him not. He next looked at a career in business but also heard God saying no. He considered joining the military but heard God leading him in another direction.

Carwile told those at the dinner that he wanted them to know the impact they are making by supporting scholarship for CU students.

"There are students here every single day that don't know Jesus," Carwile explained. "There are kids here all the time that walk down these halls, that walk into the Welcome Center, that walk into the cafeteria, that go into the chapel even, and yet they still don't know Jesus. But you're investing in a student body where people like me, people like Josie, are able to be so on fire for Jesus can tell and they can plant a seed in those people's lives."

Among the great things happening at CU, Carwile said the greatest thing is that he was able to accept his calling, thanks to CU.

"I've been able to truly understand that God has called me into a role in ministry," he said. "If I did not come to Campbellsville University in the first place, I would have never had that opportunity. I would have never said yes to what God truly called me to do."

Reflecting on the impact the university community has had on his journey, Carwile shared a heartfelt message of gratitude with those in attendance.

"So I want you to know tonight that you have made an impact on this young man's life behind the microphone," he said. "Because if he can call a donkey, he can call me. So right here, right now, I'm able to say thank you.

Thank you so very much. And do understand that you are able to make an impact wherever you go. Thank you."

CU President Dr. Joseph Hopkins told those in attendance that the past two years of giving at Campbellsville University have been extraordinary.

"The past two years of giving at Campbellsville University are more than double what has been given in previous years," Hopkins said. "And so these two record years come at an incredible time and are a blessing for us."

He highlighted the generosity of trustees, noting, "It was mentioned that our trustees have doubled their giving in the past year. Trustees, if you are with us tonight, would you and your family please stand and let us say thank you to our trustees for your leadership and for your belief."

Dr. Hopkins also recognized the employees whose contributions "tripled the amount that they gave in the previous year, which was a record year. Tripled a record year in one year."

He attributed this generosity to their dedication to the students: "I can only think of one reason that our faculty and staff will do that. That is they will lead the mission of the students of this university."

On the university's commitment to service, he explained, "What does it mean for a university to take on the idea of servant leadership, service excellence, to the point that we ingrained it into every course and every experience that a student has at Campbellsville University? That is the question that inspired us to create something called the Service Excellence Institute."

He concluded by thanking CU's supporters in attendance at the President's Club Dinner.

"If it weren't for the people sitting in this room right here, all those things I just listed from the last two weeks and the week to come, it wouldn't be possible. You made that happen. You made all that happen."

Dr. Hopkins closed with a reminder of purpose, "All of this to God be the glory. This is why we do this. This is why Campbellsville University is here."

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed, Kentucky-based Christian university that enrolls nearly 10,000 students and offers over 100 programs of study, including certificates, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. CU is committed to academic excellence solidly grounded in the liberal arts, that fosters personal growth, integrity, and professional preparation within a caring environment.

Media Attachments

During the President’s Club Dinner, Josie Smallwood shared she is grateful to be at Campbellsville University, where she says she has been challenged to grow not only as a student but also as a Christian.

Zeke Carwile reminded those at the President’s Club Dinner that they have made an impact on his life by allowing him to know God was calling him into ministry.

Campbellsville University President Dr. Joseph Hopkins addresses attendees at the President’s Club Dinner, celebrating two consecutive years of record-setting generosity and thanking trustees, employees and supporters for their commitment to CU’s mission.

New members of Campbellsville University’s President’s Club include, from left: Front row – Matthew Rogers and Lori Rogers (representing Joyhouse Properties); Pamela Rogers; Rose Jones (representing Kiwanis of Campbellsville as past president); Jacob Delk (representing JD Custom Kayak Trailers); Rev. Michael Caldwell (representing Pleasant Union Baptist Church); and Doug Scudder and Charlotte Scudder. In the back row is CU President Dr. Joseph Hopkins.

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