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CAMPBELLSVILLE — Gratitude and thanks were words often spoken by Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, as he challenged 1,189 undergraduate and graduate students in two commencement ceremonies Friday, Dec. 6, in the largest December commencement in the history of CU.

The number of graduates was a 75 percent increase over one year ago..

Carter urged the graduates to thank those who have helped them on their educational journeys. He told the students they have not been on the journey alone and told them to express gratitude to their families and friends who helped and prayed for them as they reached this milestone in their careers.

The roll of 1,189 graduates included four local students:

Billie Hines of Eubank, Ky. graduated with Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Area/Accounting.

Jonathan K. Grizzell of Stanford, Ky. graduated with Master of Theology.

Mark Andrew Smith of Stanford, Ky. graduated with Master of Social Work.

Justin Lee Padgett of Waynesburg, Ky. graduated with Master of Arts in Education Administration Principal P-14.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 14,000 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The university has Kentucky based off-campus centers in Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset, Hodgenville and Liberty with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville. Out-of-state centers include two in California at Los Angeles and Lathrop, located in the San Francisco Bay region. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.

Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.