Three days that will see six Campbell University spring graduation ceremonies kicks off next Thursday with the 10th commencement of the Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Launched in 2013 as the first osteopathic school in North Carolina and the state’s first medical school in over 35 years, CUSOM (as its known by students and faculty) was formed to help fill the state’s ever-growing need for physicians and to educate doctors willing to serve in rural and underserved areas of the state and region.
The school has since graduated roughly 1,500 doctors, including this year’s class, and in April of this year was ranked 11th in the nation for medical schools with the most graduates practicing in rural areas, according to U.S. News & World Report.
CUSOM’s ceremony will be the first of Campbell’s six events this week, scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Pope Convocation Center. It will mark the first graduation under new Dean Dr. David Tolentino, who assumed the role in March.
Dr. Robert Cain, president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine will be the commencement speaker. Before serving that role, Cain was associate dean for clinical education at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and served as chief academic officer for the Ohio Centers for Osteopathic Research and Education.
The following is a rundown of the remaining ceremonies this week:
Baccalaureate Service
- When: 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 3
- Where: Butler Chapel
Speakers: Students Anne Ashlee Greene and Mathew Lyktey will be “student witnesses,” and Emily Pierce will read scripture from Isaiah and Hebrews for the baccalaureate service that represents the spiritual and symbolic beginning of Commencement Week. Campus Minister Rev. Louisa Ward will provide the sermon for the ceremony.
Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law
- When: 10 a.m. on May 8
- Where: Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, Memorial Auditorium, Raleigh
Speaker: U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) will offer the commencement address at Campbell University School of Law’s 48th annual hooding and graduation ceremony. Tillis, who is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and Judiciary Committee, announced last June that he would not seek re-election to a third term. He plans to finish his current term, which ends in January 2027.
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
- When: 3 p.m. on May 8
- Where: Pope Convocation Center at Campbell University
Speaker: LeAnne Kennedy is a 1993 graduate of the Doctor of Pharmacy program and has built a distinguished career in oncology pharmacy and currently serves as Director of Clinical Oncology for the Southeast Region of Atrium Health. Kennedy completed a pharmacy practice residency at North Carolina Baptist Hospital and went on to spend nearly 30 years as a clinical specialist in stem cell transplant and cellular therapy. She later served as the oncology clinical manager at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and has remained deeply involved in advancing oncology pharmacy practice, including founding the North Carolina Oncology Pharmacist Association and establishing a PGY2 oncology residency program that she continues to lead today.
Divinity School
- When: 7 p.m. on May 8
- Where: Hobson Performance Center at Campbell University
Speaker: Dr. C. Lynn Brinkley has been an adjunct professor at Campbell University in Christian Studies and for the Divinity School since 2012. She currently serves as the Pan African Koinonia Field Ministry Coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, working to build relationships with Black clergy and connect them to CBF for fellowship, partnership, and justice work. She is passionate about fostering a beloved community, preaching and advocating for the marginalized and oppressed.
College of Arts & Sciences
- When: 9 a.m. on May 9
- Where: Pope Convocation Center at Campbell University
Lundy-Fetterman School of Business, School of Education & Human Sciences and School of Engineering
- When: 2 a.m. on May 9
- Where: Pope Convocation Center at Campbell University
Speaker (both ceremonies): Lt. Gen. (Retired) Susan S. Lawrence is a 1979 graduate of Campbell University, the first woman appointed as chief information officer for the U.S. Army and a current member of the Campbell University Board of Trustees.
During her military career, Lawrence climbed the ranks to become a leader in defense information technology and communications systems. As the U.S. Army’s CIO, she managed defense enterprise systems, IT infrastructure and advanced technology used by the military and the supporting civilian workforce. She also helped develop the U.S. Army Cyber Command and worked directly with senior staff members — including the Army’s secretary and chief of staff — to reduce costs and improve the effectiveness of cyber and IT solutions.
A native of Ida Grove, Iowa, Lawrence received her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Campbell University and went on to earn a Master’s degree in information systems management from the University of Georgia. She holds honor doctorates from both Campbell and Dakota State University.