Drs. Dennis Bazemore and Mark Hammond, represented Campbell University at the June commencement exercises for Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A total of 593 students received Bachelor of Science degrees in the fields of computer science, biology, chemistry, physics, information systems engineering, microelectronics and business information systems offered by Campbell University. “It was a great experience for me,” said Bazemore, who is vice president for Student Life. “I had heard about TARC for a long, long time. Now my eyes have seen the college, and I have a greater appreciation for the Malaysian program and for the relationship Campbell has with TARC.” Bazemore, who delivered the commencement address at the service, said he was impressed with the graciousness of both the Malaysian students and their parents. “I have never seen greater appreciation or pride of achievement,” Bazemore said. “When the Malaysian students received their Campbell lapel pins, the symbol of being a Campbell graduate, they couldn’t wait to pin them on. Their parents presented the students with huge bouquets of flowers in every color to commemorate their graduation. It was an amazing sight.” Both Bazemore and Hammond, dean of Campbell’s College of Arts and Sciences, met with administration and students to share ideas and information. “We discussed how excited we are to continue our 28-year relationship with the TARC campus,” said Hammond, “and the very real possibility of offering an exchange program for Campbell students to visit the Malaysian campus and for Malaysian alumni to visit Campbell.” They agreed that the relationship with TARC works so well because the colleges share a similar mission. “Both Campbell and TARC want to provide a quality education at affordable prices,” Hammond said. “We also have many first-generation college students at both campuses.” From an initial intake of 764 students with classes conducted in various centers in the Klang Valley in 1969, the Tunku Abdul Rahman College today includes a main campus and five branch campuses in Penang, Perak, Johor and Pahang. The association between TARC and Campbell began in 1979 with the Campbell’s program graduating 15 students in 1981, all of whom received Bachelor of Science degrees. Since that time the number of graduates has increased 100-fold.
Photo Copy: Drs. Dennis Bazemore and Mark Hammond of Campbell University attended graduation exercises at Campbell’s Malaysian campus at Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC) in Kuala Lumpur. From left, Mr. Chan, head the School of Arts and Sciences (TARC); Ms. Chen, TARC librarian; Bazemore; Ms. Yoong, TARC principal; Hammond; Dr. Mark Merry, computer science professor at Campbell; and Mr. Ung, acting director of Student Affairs at TARC.