By Gerard Flanagan, news writer and photographer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Dr. Joseph Hopkins admits Christian higher education, not just higher education in general, faces a unique set of challenges in today’s world.
However, during the President’s Club Dinner at Winters Dining Hall on the campus of Campbellsville University recently, Hopkins, the university’s president since Feb. 1, 2022, told a group of donors that CU has remained true to its Christian mission thanks to their support.
“There are many forces working against us, some even in our own country and our own structuring government,” Hopkins stated. “Christian higher education is working against the stream, and I am so grateful to those of you in this university who have committed yourself to stay the course and to be true to be a Christ-centered university and to be true to who this university has been for the past 117 years.”
The President’s Club welcomed 53 new members over the past year.
As he reflected on the past year, Hopkins noted the “single, greatest accomplishment” CU has had is remaining true to that Christian mission.
“And what do I mean by that?” Hopkins asked. “Well, first of all, I mean not giving in to the outside forces that would ask us to moderate or to give up on those commitments to be Christ-centered. But it’s more than that. There has been a tremendous time of revival on this campus in the past year.”
In his decades of experience in the world of higher education, where he’s been a student, professor and administrator, Hopkins said he had “never been a part of anything like this and it is a blessing,” referring to Campbellsville University.
He added, “I am so thankful that I came to Campbellsville University if only to see what God has done through our students in the past year. It has been worth every, every bit of that.”
CU’s enrollment, Hopkins told those at the dinner, has hit 13,000, adding, “We are thrilled to see more students becoming a part of this community, more students joining into the vision of Campbellsville University and more students who will be prepared to be salt and light for Jesus Christ because they became a part of Campbellsville University.”
And, God is blessing CU in other ways, according to Hopkins, who reported that on July 1, 2023, CU celebrated a balanced budget.
“We’re grateful to our financial team, of course, but we would all give credit to each member of this community because there have been so many who were creative in the way that they used the dollars that were invested, responsible in the way that they made those dollars work.
“And, of course, we’re grateful to you in this room who helped us to add more dollars to the equation than the students could bring with their mission.”
Hopkins also looked forward to the future of Campbellsville University as he told CU’s donors about the university’s newest strategic plan, “Foundations for the Future,” which began July 1.
Hopkins described “Foundations for the Future” as the university’s “most ambitious campaign.” For example, the campaign lays out goals for CU to establish academic distinction, improve diversity and belonging, strengthen financial stability, amplify community engagement, and increase quality enrollment.
“But, to do all of this in five years, in just five years, is ambitious,” Hopkins said.
Also included is a plan to double the university’s endowment from $35 million to $70 million, along with plans to create capital support for projects such as a new building to house the School of Business, Economics and Technology and a new athletic complex.
Hopkins noted, “We cannot accomplish a goal like this in our own strength, but we know the Divine power who has the strength, and rest assured that we will be leaning hard on that power.
“Friends, the campaign has been, is being, and will be bathed in prayer, “Hopkins said. “It will take all of us and many more sacrificing for the future of Campbellsville University. Oh, and there will be great rejoicing five years from now as we gather together to thank God for what He has done in this place.”
Hopkins also emphasized the importance of estate planning, telling those at the President’s Club Dinner, “You and I may choose, we certainly will choose, to assign part of our estate to Campbellsville University.
“We may or may not ever see the fruition of that gift, but generations will benefit from that gift for decades and centuries to come.”
Campbellsville University recently finished construction on a new dorm complex, made possible by a gift from the estate of Douglass McAfee.
“Douglas McAfee made this gift many, many years ago and has passed for many years,” Hopkins said. “But through his trust and through his estate and the maturity of that estate, we were able to build this dormitory for students today.”
Like planting a tree, Hopkins noted, “You and I may not live long enough to sit in the shade of the trees that we plant, but we will be found faithful to plant those trees.”
Dr. Benji Kelly, Campbellsville University’s vice president for development, also reminded the President’s Club of the importance of their support.
“Christian higher education, we are swimming upstream,” Kelly said. “We are going against the norm, and we need people like you to help us get there, so thank you, thank you, and please pray for us. It’s going to be an exciting time, but a lot of hard work is going to have to go into this. Collectively, together, we can do that.”
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.
(Gerard Flanagan, News Writer and Photographer – Office of University Communications)