Campbellsville University is kept running smoothly by everyone doing their part around the clock. The professors teach students, the dining hall staff provide food and the janitors keep the campus clean and healthy. There are many roles this campus needs to keep moving, and CU’s shuttle bus drivers are no exception.
CU provides its students with a shuttle bus that runs every weekday from the clock tower to the Mass Communication Center, which is located off campus. This service makes sure students get to their classes at the building without needing to have a car or a friend to drive them.
For people without cars or a ride, the shuttle buses are integral for making sure students can get to their classes safely and on time. The drivers of these buses should not go unnoticed, as they are doing a helpful, necessary job and should be recognized for their efforts.
Mike Judd has been driving the shuttle bus at CU for three years. Before this, he drove a school bus in Adair County for four years, and worked in construction for what felt like his whole life. After he retired from those jobs, he found an opportunity to drive for CU full-time. He doesn’t regret his decision.
Judd is married and has a son who works in maintenance at CU. He also works at the physical plant when he’s not driving the bus. He enjoys the work he does for the university.
“I love it,” said Judd. “I get to meet the kids, have good contacts with them and it’s an opportunity for the kids. It’s free and it doesn’t cost [them] anything.”
Without a car, it would take 20 to 30 minutes to walk to the Mass Communication Center, and that does not factor in weather conditions. At CU, there are many students from abroad who are not able to get their own transportation. Through the shuttle bus, Judd has been able to meet and talk with many different people while providing a safe and free way for students to get from one place to another on time, making his job feel worthwhile.
“I love the atmosphere. I love the communication with the kids. It’s just a good experience,” said Judd.
Getting the opportunity to interact with the people of CU has been a wonderful experience for both Judd and the students.
Caleb Thomas, a senior at CU, said he didn’t have a car his sophomore and junior years, and the shuttle bus helped him out. On the bus, Thomas interacted with Judd during the rides to and from campus.
“He’s a really cool dude,” said Thomas. “He’s pretty funny, he talks to everyone… he waves at everyone when they drive past.”
Judd isn’t the only bus driver. He works for eight hours a day from Monday to Thursday. When it comes to Fridays, Joey Ferguson is there to fill in.
Before coming to CU, Ferguson worked at Cox Interior for 25 years. He’s been working at the university for nine years now, and mainly works at the physical plant to help out.
Ferguson said Fridays are busy. On top of driving the bus every time class lets out, he also stops by the physical plant to help where help is needed.
Despite his busy schedule, Ferguson works hard doing things such as repairing and maintaining the school buses, as well as unloading and loading the vehicles arriving at the plant, all while driving students to their classes on Fridays.
Ferguson expresses the same joy about driving the bus as Judd does. Helping the people on campus and getting to meet and talk to them is always a blessing.
“I enjoy meeting the kids. Talking to them. Seeing where everybody is from,” said Ferguson.
There’s a CU graduate from Tokyo that used to ride his bus that he keeps in contact with. Ferguson expresses how nice it is that he can form connections with students even if it is through a few minutes on the bus.
The bus drivers at CU are more than happy to help students in need of a ride. If you ever find yourself in need of transportation, don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation with them. You might just make a new friend.
