TRIBUTE TO DR. CHARLES L. SHARP

Every year, Dr. Sharp would give the charge to the graduates, and he would tell them “Dare to Dream”.  In essence, he told them to put no limits on what you can achieve with hard work, determination, dedication, and God’s guidance...”

Rev. Harriet McElvaney, Retired Pastor Campbell Chapel A.M.E. Zion

July 2024, Louisville, KY..,   At 6:00 PM on Sunday, June 23, 2024, the Kentucky Conference assembled for its 25^th Baccalaureate Service without the presence of DR. CHARLES LOUIS SHARP.

It was with a sense of profound sadness that we gathered at this 25^th Baccalaureate Service of the Kentucky Annual Conference without his presence. This was his baby. His vision and prerogative were to see that the graduating students of the Kentucky Conference – whether it was high school, college, or those who had completed advanced degrees – be recognized as scholars by the Kentucky Conference.  I believe Kentucky has the only Baccalaureate Service for graduates in the Midwest Episcopal District and may be the only one in all of Zion.

Dr. Sharp, being an educator himself, always talked about how he was nurtured in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and the Church, sitting under such educators as Mrs. Ola W. Crawley, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Jackson, and Mrs. Mary Ruth Smith in Madisonville, KY. He valued educational achievements and he desired students of the A.M.E. Zion Church in Kentucky to know their church valued them.

The concept of a Baccalaureate Service was first hatched around 1997 by Dr. Sharp, who presented it to the Chairperson of the Board, who was then Rev. Dr. Gwendol Faye McCaskill.  The question was not, “Can we do it?”; the question was, “Will we do it?”  The Board, under Dr. Sharp’s guidance, agreed on three criteria for the Baccalaureate Service:

• It was to be held at Broadway Temple – not because Dr. Sharp was a member, but because of its history.
• The service had to be a sacred, solemn, formal affair. Students would wear their caps and gowns; preachers would be robed and
• The Speaker had to be someone with an advanced degree.

And when Dr. Sharp spoke, we listened.

This was not an easy feat, for many letters, phone calls and meetings were held to get names of graduates from the summer and winter of the preceding year, as well as the spring of the current year, encouraging students to come to Broadway Temple in Louisville, Kentucky for this first Baccalaureate Service.  

Dr. Sharp insisted on it being a formal affair with the classical music, the palms adorning the pulpit, and the beautiful procession of clergy and graduates.  Rev. Vivien Ogburn served as Chief of Protocol, there was always a junior high school student that served as the assistant, and Dr. Sharp outlined the program himself.  Bro. Charles Kennedy has served as the photographer down through the years.  The very first Baccalaureate Speaker in 1999 was Rev. Dr. Larry Crossland, who was then the pastor of Broadway Temple A.M.E. Zion Church.

There were 22 graduates at that first Baccalaureate Service.  Each graduate received a medallion, a Bible inscribed by the Bishop, and a check.  On this 25^th anniversary of the Baccalaureate Service, the speaker was Rev. Barbara Haigler, the current pastor of Broadway Temple A.M.E. Zion Church.

The Baccalaureate Service has had some notable speakers, such as The Rt. Reverend Nathaniel Jarrett, Jr., Rev. Dr. Anthony Witherspoon, Bishop Kenneth Monroe, Bishop Eric Leake, and others.

After several years, it was the brainchild of Rev. Erich V. Shumake that to recognize the graduates in a tangible way, we should establish a Scholarship Fund.  So, the Board of Lay Activities and the Christian Education Department had a banquet establishing the Rev. Daniel J. Hughlett and Dr. Merrelene Dickerson Scholarship Fund.  Bro. Paul Watson was the chairperson of that first Scholarship Banquet held at Masterson’s Restaurant.  A corporate sponsor package was put together, and we raised over $7000 at that first banquet.  Several $500 scholarships were awarded at the Baccalaureate Service down through the years to students who were active members of their local church and were recommended by their pastors. 

Due to the efforts of Dr. Sharp and the Board of Christian Education, this solemn, sacred, formal Baccalaureate Service has been held for 25 years, excluding 2020, when churches were closed due to the pandemic.  However, a workaround the next year honored the graduates who were missed the year before, even though it had to be held with the help of our technology personnel, which enabled it to be broadcast via Zoom. 

Every year, Dr. Sharp would give the charge to the graduates, and he would tell them, “Dare to Dream.” In essence, he told them to put no limits on what you can achieve with hard work, determination, dedication, and God’s guidance.  This year’s charge to the graduates was given by Rev. Dr. O. Lacy Evans, the Presiding Elder of the Louisville District, Kentucky Conference.

Dr. Sharp also served as the Midwest Episcopal Director of Christian Education until 2022, when his health issues intervened in his duties.  Dr. Sharp was the consummate professor, a serious-minded educator, a Christian gentleman, and a humble man of God.

Seasons change, times and circumstances change, people in leadership positions change, but thanks to the efforts of Dr. Charles Louis Sharp, the Kentucky Conference Baccalaureate Service has continued for 25 years.  And I am sure that before the Lord took Dr. Sharp to that heavenly university, he was praying for this Baccalaureate Service to be the best ever!

We thank you, Dr. Sharp, for your efforts and pray that the Baccalaureate Service of the Kentucky Conference will continue for many more years to come!