By Gerard Flanagan, news writer/photographer/social media, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - What do eight dormitories, Papa John's and Tigerville Grill and numerous other facilities on Campbellsville University's campus have in common?
Ken Koehler had a hand in building them.
Koehler, the university's lead architect from 2000 to 2015, was presented the Distinguished Service Award at the Derby Rose Gala April 22.
According to Dr. Benji Kelly, vice president for development, Koehler had his hand in more than 16 facilities on the Campbellsville University campus. In addition to the eight dormitories and Papa John's and Tigerville Grill, Koehler, a 1949 graduate of Clemson University, helped build the following facilities: Montgomery Library renovations, Gosser Gym, Hord Wrestling Facility, Education Building, Bennett-Smith Nursing Building, Tuggle-Morris Wellness Center and the Ronnie Hord Indoor Practice Facility.
Those projects total an excess of $11 million, according to Kelly.
“As a result of his generosity, he saved the university in terms of design, engineering and building costs in the amount of $500,000 that allowed us as an institution to be able to award scholarships to our students,” Kelly said.
“Ken, thank you for making Campbellsville University a better place.”
Koeher, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, is a lifelong resident of Louisville.
“I just want to say how pleasant this evening has been for me,” Koehler said. “It's always good to come back and renew old friendships. Everybody has been as pleasant and wonderful to me as they could be. I cherish the friendship that was created here. Thank you, everybody.”
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that has enrolled up to 12,000 students yearly. The university offers over 100 programs of study including doctoral, masters, bachelors, associate and certification programs. The website for complete information is fva6.cjpk.net.