Campbellsville, KY — Campbellsville University’s public affairs program, “Dialogue on Public Issues,” will be must watch television for the politically minded in Central Kentucky over the coming weeks.

Campbellsville University will host Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell on November 13. Senator McConnell will take part in several campus events, including the filming of an episode of “Dialogue on Public Issues.” For a full rundown of the day’s events with Senator McConnell, see the story on Campbellsville’s website.

“Dialogue on Public Issues” is hosted by John Chowning, Campbellsville University vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president. It can be seen in the Campbellsville area on WLCU TV-4, Comcast Cable Channel 10, and on a delayed basis statewide on KET-KY. Shows are archived online at http://www.campbellsville.edu/dialogue-on-public-issues.

“Dialogue on Public Issues” will also look closely at an election that all of Kentucky will be watching when Chowning interviews the two candidates  - State Rep. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, and former State Rep. Jodie Haydon, D-Bardstown - facing off in the December 8 special election for the District 14 seat in the Kentucky Senate. The special election follows the resignation of Senator Dan Kelly and his subsequent appointment to a vacant circuit court judgeship. The 14th Senatorial District includes Marion, Mercer, Nelson, Taylor, and Washington counties. The Higdon interview will air several times this week. The Haydon interview will premiere next Sunday and air several times next week. See the full story on Campbellsville.edu for air dates.

For more information about “Dialogue on Public Issues” episodes, contact Chowning at jechowning [at] campbellsville.edu or at 270-789-5520.

On October 21, 2009, the United States House of Representatives unanimously passed House Resolution 837, recognizing Kentucky Wesleyan College for its service as an institution of higher learning for over 150 years. The resolution was introduced by Representative Brett Guthrie of Kentucky’s 2nd District.

Read the text of the resolution on Kentucky Wesleyan’s website.

Last week Governor Beshear announced that Kentucky was the recipient of a major grant from the National Science Foundation. The NSF grant, which totals $12.5 million over five years, will fund university research in three key technological areas: biotechnology, nanotechnology and cyber-technologies.

Gov. Beshear also announced that Kentucky’s Department of Education was the recipient of a $2.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education Advanced Placement Incentive Program to expand Advanced Placement opportunities in Kentucky high schools.

“These grants further my administration’s goal of focusing on quality education for our children,” said Gov. Beshear. “We must broaden opportunities for students to stretch their minds and provide the necessary tools for them to learn, conduct research and develop innovative concepts that will, ultimately, improve Kentucky’s ability to compete in a 21st century economy.”

Centre College and Berea College are among eight Kentucky colleges and universities that will conduct research under the NSF grant. The primary grant recipients are the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville.

The five-year award was made through Kentucky’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), an initiative of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation. The grant is expected to be matched with an additional $5 million from the commonwealth over the life of the grant.

WASHINGTON, DC - Campbellsville University has been selected to receive a $399,800 grant through the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program, U.S. Representative Ron Lewis announced today. Funds will be used to support efforts to improve achievement and retention during the first two years of students’ academic careers.”I congratulate Campbellsville University for their success in receiving this grant,” said Lewis. “Initiatives such as the Strengthening Institutions Program provide important resources to help students further their education and build successful careers.”

The Strengthening Institutions Program helps eligible colleges and universities to become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions.

The grant will be used to support Campbellsville University’s ongoing efforts to improve student retention via three primary components: an expanded freshman year experience, redesigned general education program, and intensified academic support services.

“We are very grateful that the U.S. Department of Education has approved the Title III grant for Campbellsville University,” said Campbellsville University President Dr. Michael Carter. “These funds will greatly enhance the mission of Campbellsville University in helping students reach their full potential as servant leaders.”

Crestview Hills, KY — Congressman Geoff Davis recently presented a check for $250,000 to Thomas More College to support the creation of the Regional Center for Health Sciences and Health Care Management. The funding will support new initiatives to increase the development of a highly skilled health care workforce, including substantial efforts to train more nurses.

Congressman Davis stated, “I am pleased to be able to help Thomas More College in the development of the Center for Health Science and Health Care Management. The Center will be a great asset for our community.”

“As a leader in both nursing and business education in the region and through its partnership with St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center, Thomas More College is well positioned to successfully launch this new initiative.”

“As the health care field continues to grow both larger and more competitive, it is important that we support projects such as this to educate and prepare students for careers in health care. Thomas More College has a history of producing exceptional employees, particularly in this discipline, and I am confident this center will strengthen that reputation.”

Sister Margaret Stallmeyer, President of Thomas More College, stated, “The entire Thomas More College community joins me in thanking Congressman Davis for this $250,000 investment in support of our health care educational programs. This exemplifies the Congressman’s commitment to higher education and his tireless efforts to address the needs of this region. We are most grateful for his leadership and support.”

The Thomas More College Regional Center for Health Sciences and Health Care Management will train the next generation health care professionals and managers. The center will focus on developing an MBA program for Health Care Professionals, developing new programs in the Nursing Department, expanding Gerontology training and offering new opportunities for Career Planning and Lifelong Learning.

Courtesy of Thomas More College: http://thomasmore.edu.

The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) has announced that Bellarmine University President Joseph “Jay” McGowan has been named treasurer of the national nonprofit organization. McGowan was elected by the NAICU membership to serve as treasurer during NAICU’s annual meeting on February 6. Congratulations and thanks to President McGowan for serving in this important national leadership position.

NAICU, with nearly 1,000 members,  serves as the unified national voice of independent higher education. Since 1976, the association has represented private colleges and universities on policy issues with the federal government, such as those affecting student aid, taxation, and government regulation.

Read: NAICU Membership Elects 2008-09 Officers, Board

DANVILLE, KY-Centre College, which hosted the 2000 Vice Presidential Debate and was one of 16 finalists for a 2008 debate, was chosen as an alternate site today when the Commission on Presidential Debates announced its selections for the 2008 General Election.

“We stand prepared to once again serve the American people in this most important civic selection process,” said Centre President John A. Roush. “Given that the commission concluded that all host sites for presidential debates were to be new in 2008, no sites that had hosted a General Election debate previously were ultimately in the running to be chosen for a presidential debate.

“We understand the need for opportunity and inclusion in this vital undertaking and, in fact, applaud it. This aspect of the process worked in our favor in 2000. We are honored that the commission, based on Centre’s extraordinary performance in 2000 and strong application in 2008, turned to us as an insurance policy should any of the other sites, for one reason or another, be unable to host a debate,” Roush said.

Said Richard Trollinger, vice president for college relations at Centre: “While we anticipated hosting a second General Election Debate with great excitement, we are honored that the commission has entrusted us to stand ready to host a debate should that be deemed necessary.

“There are many exciting things happening at Centre and in Kentucky, including the state’s bicentennial celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birth in Hodgenville, Kentucky. Lincoln was the Commonwealth’s greatest gift to the nation. And the Lincoln-Douglas debates established debate as a fixture in the way Americans choose their political leaders,” Trollinger said.

Centre is particularly proud of its connection with Lincoln. John Todd Stuart, a Class of 1826 graduate, was Lincoln’s political mentor and first law partner.

The sites chosen to host Presidential Debates in 2008 are: University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss.; Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.; and Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. Washington University in St. Louis was selected to host the Vice Presidential Debate. In addition to Centre, Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., is the other alternate site.

Following are the dates and times of each debate:

First presidential debate: Friday, Sept. 26 at University of Mississippi Vice presidential debate: Thursday, Oct. 2 at Washington University Second presidential debate: Tuesday, Oct. 7 at Belmont University Third presidential debate: Wednesday, Oct. 15 at Hofstra University

See also:

Centre off the ticket for debates (Kentucky.com)

Representative John Yarmuth (D-3rd District) was recently honored as the “Outstanding New Member” of Congress by the Committee for Education Funding (CEF) during their Annual Awards Gala in Washington DC. Yarmuth was recognized for his commitment to education issues and for his interest in increasing federal funding for education programs.

“During this 110th Congress, first year Representative John Yarmuth clearly distinguished himself as an advocate for education funding and we are proud to recognize him,” said Ed Kealy, Executive Director of the Committee for Education Funding.

In her introduction of Yarmuth, CEF Vice President Hilary Goldman said that CEF was “stunned” by Yarmuth’s record during his short time in office, because it “exceeded all expectations for a recipient of CEF’s Outstanding New Member award.”

Yarmuth serves on the House Education and Labor Committee and its Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

“Education is quite simply the key to America’s long term success in the world, it is the great hope for our children and future generations, and in America, a world-class education should be a right, not a crap shoot,” Yarmuth said in his acceptance speech. “The challenges are great, but the will to meet them, I believe is greater.”

Particularly notable for AIKCU students is the Louisville Congressman’s commitment to promoting college access and affordability. Yarmuth has been one of the key voices calling for increases in the Pell Grant program and ways to reduce student loan debt. He recently served on the Conference Committee for the College Cost Reduction Act that will put $11 billion into the Pell Grant program. The President has vowed to sign the bill, which will provide the largest investment in higher education since the G.I. Bill.

“We are delighted that Congressman Yarmuth was recognized for his commitment to education,” said AIKCU President Gary S. Cox. “It is certainly a well-deserved honor. He’s shown a great deal of interest and support not only for Bellarmine and Spalding, but for all our members, and especially for our students.”

In addition to Yarmuth, CEF also honored former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush with “Charles Wilson Lee Distinguished Citizen Awards” for their commitment to education in the years since they left office.

Read more about the honor at Congressman Yarmuth’s website.

For more information on CEF or its Annual Awards Gala, visit their website at http://www.cef.org.

Campbellsville woman testifies before congressional committee
Find the original article and photos at ColumbiaMagazine.com

By Michael Dodge
Office of U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis

WASHINGTON, DC -June 15, 2007 - Virginia Flanagan, director of the Campbellsville University Technology Training Center from 1999-2006, traveled to Washington Thursday to offer testimony before a full hearing of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee.

The hearing, the first in a series of hearings on promoting U.S. workers’ competitiveness, focused on the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program.

Flanagan, accompanied by current CUTTC Director Carol Sullivan, shared her perspective on how TAA has worked in Campbellsville and how it can be improved in the future. She was invited to testify by U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis, a member of the committee.

“Campbellsville’s economic recovery provides a remarkable example of how one community can be resourceful in the face of economic hard times and develop partnerships to elevate regional employment and quality of life,” said Lewis. “Ginny’s testimony on her community’s experience has provided our committee with useful guidance on future TAA discussions.”

Lewis led a roundtable discussion with numerous state and local leaders in Campbellsville in May 2004 to examine how Taylor County retrained workers and created over 3,700 new jobs following the close of the Fruit of the Loom factory.

U.S. Rep. Wally Herger (R-CA), a colleague on the Ways and Means Committee, attended the 2004 roundtable and recalled his impressions during Thursday’s hearing.

“In Campbellsville, Kentucky, I witnessed first hand the application of Trade Adjustment Assistance in a public/private effort to stimulate a healthy environment for jobs,” said Herger. “This winning combination of local leaders, businesses, educators and federal officials improved the local economy well beyond where it had started.”

The TAA program is designed to assist manufacturing workers, with temporary income support and employment training opportunities, after trade-related job loss. TAA funds were used to create the Technology Training Center at Campbellsville University, helping hundreds of local workers gain new skills to better compete in a changing global economy, ultimately attracting 13 new companies and thousands of new jobs to the region.

Photos:

Photo of Virginia Flanagan with U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis (KY-2).

Photo of Virginia Flanagan being greeted by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (NY) during her visit to testify about the effect of Trade Adjustment Assistance, which helped Campbellsville, KY turn a devastating plant closure into a winning situation, with 13 new industries recruited after Fruit of the Loom left town.

Ed. Note: Virginia Flanagan is the wife of Dan Flanagan, a farmer, former Campbellsville University administrator, and current Vice Chair of the Council on Postsecondary Education.

AIKCU students, faculty, staff, and friends - please remember to go to the polls and exercise your civic responsibility by voting tomorrow, November 7.

Visit the AIKCU Policy Center to learn about your candidates, and bookmark the site and visit throughout the year to keep track of legislative issues important to the independent college and university sector.