CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Three Campbellsville University professors have been selected for Faculty Fellowships from the Appalachian College Association.

CU professors Dr. John Hurtgen, Dr. Indra Sahu and Kelly Joplin were all recently selected as Faculty Fellowship recipients for the 2025-2026 academic year. ACA’s Faculty Fellowships will provide Hurtgen, Sahu and Joplin with financial support for post-doctoral research projects during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Dr. Jeanette Parker, CU’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, shared her excitement for these Faculty Fellowships.

“They have each developed a very different and very interesting research project,” Parker said. “It is wonderful that they stepped up and pursued the funding for their research through this very competitive opportunity from ACA.

“I can’t wait to hear about their research experience and how their findings impact not only their own teaching but their academic fields.”

Hurtgen, professor of New Testament and Greek for CU, will focus his research project on writing a commentary study of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus (the Pastoral Letters of the Apostle Paul) for the graduate course “Pastoral Letters, Pastoral Leadership.”

“I created the graduate class ‘Pastoral Letters, Pastoral Leadership’ a number of years ago, and I have always wanted to turn my research and notes into a useful commentary for my students,” Hurtgen noted. “The ACA Fellowship Award will provide me the opportunity to do so.

“To study in England and especially Thessaloniki will provide excellent discussion with international scholars as I write the book.”

In addition to preparing a commentary on the three letters, Hurtgen added he is particularly interested in three areas: the way Paul regularly cites “faithful sayings” as part of smaller arguments throughout his letters (something he does not do in his other letters, by and large); his repeated use of honor and shame language, which he does also in his other letters; and his use of stereotype language to emphasize the errors of his opponents.

“I am very grateful for the award and certainly excited to get research underway,” Hurtgen shared.

Hurtgen has served at Campbellsville University since 1990.

Sahu, associate professor of physics for CU, will conduct a research project on the role of Styrene Maleic Acid Lipid Particles (SMALPs) for Structural Dynamics of Membrane Proteins. SMALPs are tiny disc-shaped structures made by combining a special polymer called “styrene maleic acid” (SMA) with lipids from a cell membrane.

“Being awarded an ACA Faculty Summer Fellowship is a prestigious honor that reflects our commitment to advancing scholarship through innovative research and creative projects,” Sahu said. “This fellowship not only provides a unique opportunity to explore the application of SMALPs for the characterization of membrane proteins but also supports our undergraduate students in engaging with cutting-edge STEM research.

“Through this work, we contribute to the broader STEM fields and further the academic mission of CU.”

Sahu said the results of his research will advance understanding of the utilization of appropriate SMALPs to obtain better electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) data quality and answer important questions about membrane proteins.

CU undergraduate students will participate in this research project, Sahu noted, giving them hands-on experience in membrane protein studies. Sahu noted results will be presented at national and international scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

“This funding will also expand the research facilities to boost the quality of undergraduate education at Campbellsville University,” Sahu shared.

Sahu noted being selected for a Faculty Fellowship is a “prestigious honor” that reflects a commitment to “advancing scholarship through innovative research and creative projects.”

“Through this work, we contribute to the broader STEM fields and further the academic mission of CU.” Sahu said.

Joplin, associate professor of social work and lead professor of social work at CU’s Conover Education Center in Harrodsburg, will conduct a research project focusing on creating safe and brave classrooms where students can be daring and safe through expression.

“I am honored and humbled to have been awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the Appalachian College Association,” Joplin said. “My research topic is creating safe and brave classrooms where students can be daring and safe through expression.”

Joplin said her faculty fellowship will focus on “sharing evidence-based research to create academic environments for student expression and ensure diverse voices are heard and respected.”

“As a social work educator, I aim to ensure students feel a sense of belonging and respect for their fellow students,” Joplin noted. “How can we at Campbellsville University help shape students' learning experiences to ensure they embody respect and unity when they go out into the world to serve? These questions provided a foundation for my pursuit of further knowledge.”

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is 3x0.5dexam.com.