Campbellsville University - History
In 1906, Campbellsville University was founded as Russell Creek Academy by the Rev. Lloyd Caswell Kelly in Campbellsville, Kentucky. Earlier that year, after local businessman Charles R. Hoskins sold Kelly ten acres of land, construction began on an administration building complete with a 500-seat auditorium, eight classrooms, and music and art facilities. The school opened for secondary education classes in the fall of 1906.
Following eighteen years of success and expansion, Russell Creek Academy officially became Campbellsville Junior College for the 1924 academic school year. High school classes continued until 1938, but the institution had shifted its primary focus to educating college-level students. In 1946, a work-study program was initiated, granting students the opportunity to pay their way through school. Furthermore, the College also gained accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1950.
After adding both junior and senior year curriculums, the institution was renamed Campbellsville College in 1959. The 1960s brought about a great deal of change for the College. In addition to opening a new library in 1961, the College also opened its doors to all students regardless of race. The remainder of the 1960s saw the development and construction of a new outdoor amphitheatre in 1964, the Goldfarb Industrial Center for the College’s work-study program in 1965, men’s dormitories in 1966 and 1967, and the J. K. Powell Athletic Center in 1969.
A period of similar expansion continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Most notable among these projects were the renovations to Montgomery Library and the acquired Rosary Hospital in 1984, and the refurbishment of the Student Union Building, Druien Hall, the Music Annex, the Old Gymnasium, and three residence halls in 1990. In addition, the College’s enrollment reached over 1000 students at the beginning of the 1991 school year.
In 1996, the institution officially became Campbellsville University. The last few years of the century were accentuated by several more important developments, including the University’s acquisition of the Clay Hill Memorial Forest in 1996, the first symposium of the American Civil War Institute in 1997, the adoption of a new academic structure, the establishment of a School of Theology in 1998, and the election of new president Michael V. Carter in 1999.
During the 21st century, the University has experienced even more growth. In 2001, Campbellsville University began a partnership with the Baptist Seminary in Recife, Brazil, bringing a substantial number of Brazilian students to the Campbellsville campus. As a sign of its continued acceptance of students from a variety of backgrounds, the University received the Racial Harmony Award from the Council for Christian College and Universities in 2002. The following year saw the opening of two new University buildings, the Tuggle-Morris Wellness Center and the Hawkins Athletic Center. Furthermore, in 2004, the College Archives opened its door to the public, housing collections from A.B. Colvin, Carroll Hubbard, Sr., Clyde T. Francisco, plus documents on Kentucky and the Civil War. In addition, female basketball coach Donna Wise became the only woman in Kentucky to win 600 games as head coach.
With all these pieces now in place, Campbellsville University represents an excellent institution with first-rate facilities that is devoted to providing a solid, faith-based curriculum to its student body. With associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees available in a variety of disciplines, Campbellsville University embodies the spirit of the Christian faith inside a premium educational environment. For more information about Campbellsville University, please visit us on campus or on the Web at (www.campbellsville.edu).