GEORGETOWN, KY – The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Educators (CAATE) has awarded Continuing Accreditation to Georgetown College’s Athletic Training Program.

“Your program has met all of the nationally-recognized Standards for the Accreditation of Professional Athletic Training Programs,” wrote R. Mark Laursen, President of CAATE, in a letter to Georgetown College President Bill Crouch, dated May 20, 2013, adding, “The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education commends the faculty, staff, and administrators for your commitment to the advancement of quality education in Athletic Training, as well as your dedication to the preparation of highly qualified Athletic Training professionals.”

The Continuing Accreditation comes as a result of a comprehensive evaluation of GC’s Program, including a self-study and an on-site visit. Standards established by CAATE have the support of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Inc.

According to Mr. Laursen’s letter, the next comprehensive review of GC’s Athletic Training Program is scheduled to occur during the 2022-2023 academic year.

For more information on the Athletic Training Program in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies, contact the Office of Admissions. Toll free phone number: 800-788-9985.

GEORGETOWN, KY – Orders are still being accepted for the 2013 Commencement DVD. It includes every moment of the emotion-filled ceremony held on beautiful Giddings lawn.

To order a copy, send your check for $35.00, payable to Georgetown College, to Alumni Office, 400 East College Street, Georgetown, KY 40324. Be sure to include your name and mailing address. The deadline for ordering is June 1, 2013.

For more information, contact Laura Owsley, Director of Alumni Relations. Phone 502-863-8007, or email Laura_Owsley@GeorgetownCollege.edu.

GEORGETOWN, KY – Emotions ran high on a cloudy and cool morning as family and friends gathered this past Saturday on the lawn of Giddings Hall to watch members of the Class of 2013 receive their undergraduate degrees. A ceremony marking the beginning of the next stage in life’s journey for over 260 students, it was also Dr. Bill Crouch’s last Commencement after 22 years as President of Georgetown College.

President Crouch delivering the 2013 Commencement address

Dr. Crouch delivered the Commencement address, making his favorite Biblical passage one of the key tenets of his speech. Citing Proverbs 3:27 which reads “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it is in your power to act,” President Crouch told students the verse was intended for each one of them as they go forward with their degree and the power with which they are enabled.

Set to retire on June 30 as Georgetown’s 23^rd president, Dr. Crouch congratulated the students on their liberal arts education, telling them they were prepared “for a life full of opportunities” through the lessons learned “in leadership, sacrifice, compromise, relationship and teamwork.”

Senior Speaker Evan Harrell challenging classmates

Middlesboro native Evan Harrell was chosen by his classmates to deliver the senior address. He urged fellow graduates to follow the Georgetown College motto of “Live. Learn. Believe.” Through numerous lighter comments and references to events mutually understood by students, he challenged them to “never stop . . . never stop learning, never stop changing, never stop growing.”

Another highlight of the ceremony was the annual presentation of the Don and Chris Kerr Cawthorne Excellence in Teaching Award. Established in 1988, it is the College’s highest recognition for teaching excellence. This year’s recipient was Rick Kopp, professor of Biology, described by a nominator “as a teacher who can convey . . .  warmth, respect, and encouragement to students with a single comment.”

Cawthorne Excellence in Teaching Award presented by President Crouch and Provost Allen

“The word that comes up again and again for this year’s winner is the word “love”—how he loves his job, loves his students, loves his subject, loves learning,” remarked Rosemary Allen, Provost, before presenting the award to one she described as truly kind, gentle and humble. “He loves challenging students in a difficult discipline and making THEM love it as much as he does. He values active hands-on learning, and he finds ways to speak to each student in a way that (the) student can understand.”

Natalie Jane Hymer, an Ecomomics/Spanish major from Louisville, received the President’s Award.

President’s Award winner Natalie Jane Hymer with President Crouch

“Natalie has proven to be active and involved in a variety of campus organizations, discovering the richness of diversity and the energy that comes from serving others,” said President Crouch in announcing the selection. “She has exemplified all that is right about being a Georgetonian and has shown impressive maturity, vision, and dedication throughout the years spent on campus. I am convinced that this year’s award winner will enjoy even greater success in the future as she helps change the world.”

Cheers and applause greeted graduates as they were announced and stepped forward to be congratulated by Provost Allen and handed the hard-earned diploma by President Crouch.

Photos: Wesley Folsom, Class of 2015

Classmates react to Senior Speaker Harrell’s remarks

President Crouch and Provost Rosemary Allen with Dr. John I. Durham, Baccalaureate speaker

GEORGETOWN, KY – Georgetown College’s Baccalaureate service held the evening before graduation offers a quieter, more intimate opportunity to pause and reflect on this rite of passage. Graduating seniors hear good advice from seasoned speakers and enjoy shared Biblical readings and messages in song. This year’s Baccalaureate speaker was Dr. John I. Durham, theologian and author.

In his remarks, Dr. Durham described how Elijah, Job, and Jesus visited places to learn, be challenged, but not to stay. He described Georgetown College as a place to learn, to graduate from, and move into the work God has for each one with the mystery of the Spirit and the vocation of God’s calling to serve one another.

Dr. Durham, now retired, has been a professor of religion and Old Testament theology at universities on several continents. He is author of The Biblical Rembrandt: Human Painter in a Landscape of Faith (Mercer University Press, 2004, 255 pages).

Georgetown’s ceremony is also a time for selected members of the campus family to be recognized for their dedication to Christ and exemplary service in His name. Each year, the College’s Marshall Center for Christian Ministry presents individual Christian Service Awards to a faculty member, a staff member, and a graduating senior nominated by the campus community. Each award is named for an outstanding Georgetown College alumnus and/or a former faculty or staff member.

Roger Ward, interim director of the Marshall Center, and President Crouch, present the Redding Faculty Award to Karyn McKenzie

The George Walker Redding Faculty Award, named for a 1927 alumnus who was a Bible professor at Georgetown College for 30 years, went to Karyn McKenzie, Professor of Psychology. A faculty member since 1996, Dr. McKenzie was described by one student nominator as “an incredible example of a life lived to serve, encourage, and inspire others.” Another said she is “one of the most compassionate, service-driven individuals that I have encountered. Her dedication to furthering the success of her students is phenomenal.”

Megan Lindsey Redditt ’04, assistant director of student wellness, received the Fendley Staff Award

Megan Redditt, Assistant Director of Student Wellness Center, was presented with the Kenneth Claiborne Fendley Staff Award. A 1949 alumnus, Fendley served Georgetown College for 30 years in public relations and fundraising. One of Megan’s nominators wrote that she “is an exemplary Christian servant on Georgetown’s campus. She has an optimistic, energetic presence, and goes above and beyond to ensure the health and flourishing of students, personally and professionally.”

The Norman and Martha Yocum Lytle Graduating Senior Award went to Betsie Phillips, a Magna Cum Laude Religion/Psychology major from Frankfort, Kentucky. The Lytle Award is named for 1957 graduates who spent a 34 year career as Baptist Missionaries in Israel and Russia. Of Ms. Phillips, a nominator described her as “easily one of the most involved students on Georgetown’s campus. [She] shows her Christian servant hood through attention and connection with others. She seeks to get to know and appreciate those around her, as well as develop her theological understanding and deepen her spirituality.”

Norman and Martha Yocum Lytle with Graduating Senior Award recipient Betsie Phillips

Each honoree was presented with a certificate, a monetary gift, and a huge “Thank you” on behalf of the Marshall Center and the Georgetown College family. Funding is provided by the families of these beloved Georgetonians for whom the awards are named.

Photos: Jim Allison; Wesley Folson, Class of 2015

GEORGETOWN, KY – The Georgetown College Presidential Search Committee has received notice that two current candidates for the Presidency, Jim Newberry and Jason Rogers, have withdrawn from further consideration for personal and professional reasons.

As a result, the Committee voted today (May 9, 2013) to renew the search immediately with a second round of confidential interviews with leading existing applicants and, hopefully, schedule future campus visits as soon as possible.

The Committee remains very committed to a high-integrity process which will assure a strong, well-qualified leader for Georgetown College, one who has a strong consensus of support from the overall college community, and one who can further enhance the college’s outstanding reputation of high-quality programs and exceptional academics in a Christian environment.

The Committee would like to thank all those individuals that participated in the interview process for the first round of review and asks for future cooperation as the selection process continues. The desire is to maintain the balanced confidential/open process and the Committee will do everything within its power to protect confidential information and the well-being of persons that have pursued or will pursue the position.

Future updates on the Presidential Search progress will be provided in the weeks ahead.