Asbury University Hosts Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce

March 22, 2018

WILMORE, Ky. — Asbury University welcomed Jessamine County business leaders for a special Chamber of Commerce Breakfast on Thursday morning.

A welcome and opening remarks were made by Vice President of Central Bank and Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce President Cathy Lowe. The University’s Senior Planned Giving Officer Rev. Stu Smith gave the invocation before the buffet breakfast was served.

Following the breakfast, Asbury University President Sandra C. Gray spoke about her love for Jessamine County, as well as the University’s progress on recent building projects and its Ignited Campaign.

“We have a wonderful place to work,” Gray said. “We are a community woven together. All that you bring and all that we’re trying to do really is what serves to make this a really great place for us to live.”

Gray spoke of how the University has been “investing heavily in [Jessamine] County.” Of the recent building projects, the University has completed and dedicated the Windsor Manor Guesthouse and the million-dollar renovation of Jameson Recital Hall. Next week, the Joe Pitts Center for Public Affairs and a new Athletic Practice Facility will be dedicated.

The university’s Ignited Campaign, which was set in place to raise funds to go towards student scholarships, a student center revitalization, the building of a collaborative learning center and more, has surpassed 90% of its $62-million goal.

Dr. Jim Owens, who is the Dean of Asbury’s School of Communication Arts, spoke in depth about the University’s involvement at the recent Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, wherein 30 Media Communication and Journalism students worked in a variety of media capacities.

Students Sarah Owens ’18 and Aaron Kim ’19 shared stories from their time working at the PyeongChang Olympics last month with the membership that included Ronda May, Executive Director of the Jessamine Chamber of Commerce.

“Asbury is such an integral part of Jessamine County,” May said. “They not only bring in people from all over the world, they are educating, teaching and building these soon-to-be business leaders that then go out and make an impact all over the world. To have that here in Jessamine County is just phenomenal. It’s always a privilege to hear from Dr. Gray and hear all of the wonderful things that are happening at Asbury University.”

Learn more about Asbury University’s Ignited Campaign.