By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times
Kentucky Christian University held a special event on Tuesday, June 24, to announce a new capital campaign. This is a 7-million-dollar campaign, the first 3 million of which was used to make the university debt free. Another two-million-dollars of those funds will be used to expand the programs Kentucky Christian University already has in place, with that expansion aligning with the school’s responsibility to be relevant to the churches. The final two million of the campaign will be used to focus on upgrading student spaces around the KCU campus.
KCU President Terry Alcorn told those gathered at the event that he was pleased to announce a fairly ambitious capital campaign that would help move the university forward while maintaining its core values and goals.
“This campaign is designed to address three key areas we believe that we have to keep our finger on as an institution,” Alcorn said.
Alcorn addressed the clearing of debt, saying it was of a crucial benefit because the weight of debt is never something an individual or institution chooses to carry.
“So, we choose to make the elimination of debt our first priority in this capital campaign,” he said. “The second two million will go toward launching a world class distance learning program. Much of that will be within the Keeran School of Bible Ministry,” Alcorn continued. “But there will be other programs throughout the campus that will also be involved in that expansion.”
“The final two million dollars with go toward upgrading student spaces around the campus,” Alcorn told the crowd. “We take great care of our campus, but there are times when we need to upgrade things. And we thought this would be a good time to invest in some of those upgrades.”
“God has opened up his floodgates already, and his blessings have flowed even before we launched the public portion of this campaign,” Alcorn said. “We have already received over five million dollars in actual gifts and commitments. And I just want to say that we are stunned by God’s graciousness.”
Alcorn told those attending the event that he believed the university should not be passive or calm and content with where they are as an institution, but rather aggressively move forward with the distance learning and the campus upgrades.
“We need to continue to find better ways to serve not only our students, but the churches that send them to us. Now is the time for us to aggressively move forward to fulfill our mission. God is moving in a big way at KCU, and we are excited to share some of that good news with you.”
Allcorn was joined in his remarks by KCU Chief Financial Officer John Dundon.
“Thank you for joining us on what is truly an historic day for Kentucky Christian University,” Dundon said to those attending the Tuesday event. “Since 1919, KCU has stood as a Christ-centered institution committed to preparing men and women for service to the church and to the world. For over a century we have carried this mission with deep conviction.”
“Today, along with President Alcorn and the entire KCU community, I am honored to participate in the public launch of this campaign for Kentucky Christian University, entitled ‘For the Good of the Cause.’ This initiative is a bold and prayerfully considered seven-million-dollar campaign that has already shaped KCU’s future,” Dundon said.
“I am proud to say that KCU’s institutional debt has been completely paid off,” Dundon announced. “As of today, this very moment, Kentucky Christian University is debt free.”
The announcement was greeted with energetic applause, and Dundon said the elimination of that debt will allow the university to fully commit to its future.
“This is more than a financial milestone – it is a spiritual breakthrough,” Dundon said. “It is a release, a recentering, and a renewal of our mission. It opens the door to increase student scholarships, strengthen academic programs, and expand online and graduate education. And it will deepen our service to churches and the communities across this region and beyond.”
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
