Four deserving Campbell University staff members were honored this week with the Cherished Camel Award, which recognizes exceptional performance by staff who “promote excellence and provide visible university-wide appreciation of employees who demonstrate daily dedication, initiative and productivity.”
The new recipients are Amanda McRae, director of Veterans Affairs; Amy Allen, a registered nurse at the Campbell Health Center; Hector Ortiz, assistant sports performance coach with Campbell Athletics; and Amy Rutledge, executive assistant and paralegal for Campbell’s Office of General Counsel.
The Cherished Camel Awards are part of an initiative launched last year by President William M. Downs, honoring staff whose contributions have been recognized (and nominated) by their peers and supervisors. Recipients receive a certificate, gift card, an extra paid day off, an “I’m a Cherished Camel” T-shirt and other small prizes.
More on this month’s Cherished Camels:
Amanda McRae
Amanda McRae — a 2011 Campbell graduate — has been with Campbell for more than a decade, and she has served as director of Veterans Affairs since 2022. A veteran of the U.S. Army and Army National Guard, McRae says she takes “great honor” in helping those who serve.
“These are just some of the things said about our newest Cherished Camel,” Downs said during a surprise presentation ceremony in the McLeod Admissions & Financial Aid Building on Thursday. “‘She provides clear guidance and helps students understand exactly what needs to happen next.’ ‘She goes beyond simply answering questions or processing paperwork.’ ‘She’s approachable, patient, genuinely pleasant to work with and never makes a question feel like a burden.’”
Transfer Admissions Counselor Jason Tebedo said whenever he connects a student with McRae, she communicates clearly, treats people with respect and is always willing to help Admissions better serve our veteran students.
“Her work removes barriers that might otherwise prevent students from enrolling, remaining at Campbell or completing their degrees,” he said. “As a veteran myself, I understand how difficult the transition from military service into higher education can be. Amanda helps make Campbell a place where veterans know their experience is respected and where they can receive the guidance they need to move forward. Her work reflects Campbell’s commitment to service, purpose and creating a community in which students can succeed.”
Veteran Services Specialist Hector Gray called her an asset to Campbell’s Veterans Affairs department.
“Her dedication to serving the military community aligns with the university’s commitment to student success, service and engagement, while helping military-connected students achieve their educational goals,” he said.
McRae expressed her appreciation for the award in front of co-workers and her family on Wednesday.
“I love what I do and I hope it shows every day,” she said.
Amy Allen
Amy Allen is a registered nurse with the Campbell University Health Center and has been part of the Campbell family for 18 years. She is one of four full-time nurses at the facility, which provides health care services to Campbell students, faculty and staff and to members of the Harnett County community.
She was nominated by Leigh Byrd, a physician assistant at the Health Center, who said Allen demonstrates “exceptional work performance through her commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality patient care.”
“Amy consistently goes above and beyond to ensure patients feel understood, supported and well-informed while maintaining professionalism and attention to detail,” Byrd said. “Her strong clinical judgment, team-player attitude and willingness to assist others makes a positive impact on both patients and the healthcare team as a whole.”
She said Allen plays a critical role in ensuring that students, faculty, staff and those of the Campbell community live their best and healthiest lives. She also represents Campbell’s Christian mission by modeling “kindness, patience, integrity and respect” and providing an example of how faith can guide both professional responsibilities and professional growth.
“She builds positive relationships with colleagues, takes the time to get to know her patients on a personal level and approaches each day with a positive and team-oriented attitude,” she said. “Her professionalism, kindness and superior clinical skills help create a welcoming and positive environment where everyone feels valued and well-cared for..
Hector Ortiz
Hector Ortiz joined Campbell Athletics as a graduate assistant in 2022 and was promoted to full-time assistant sports performance coach in 2023. He currently works with softball, swimming and wrestling and coordinates the Sports Performance Student Internship program.
He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the NSCA, a USA Weightlifting Level 1 certified coach and a Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist. In addition, he is a competitive weightlifter.
He was nominated by Assistant Athletic Director-Sports Performance Alex Keough, who said Ortiz goes above and beyond in serving the student-athletes he works with, as well as the sports performance staff.
“He is consistently the first person to cover for people when assistance is needed. He currently has three teams of his own, runs the internship curriculum and took over coverage for men’s basketball throughout summer training,” Keough said. “In addition, he has built a relationship with our Exercise Science department that was not there previously. He taught a class in the spring and is consistently finding ways to bring classes into the weight room for education and experience.”
Keough said Ortiz is a leader who promotes “learning being essential to the fulfillment of human destiny.”
“He isn’t just a coach, he is an educator,” he said. “He does not just educate about how to perform better, he educates the whole person regardless of who they are, where they are from or what they do.”
Amy Rutledge
Amy Rutledge has been with Campbell University as an executive assistant and paralegal for the Office of General Counsel since 2023 and has an associate’s degree from Campbell.
She was nominated for the Cherished Camel Award by Gina Calabro, Campbell’s general counsel. Calabro said Rutledge takes great pride in her work and “always strives to present her work in a professional manner.”
“She takes great initiative in making things happen in this office without ever being asked,” she said. “She assisted with the initial Egnyte response. She runs our IntelAgree system, which has revolutionized our office. Not only does she act as system administrator — making sure contracts run through the system appropriately — but she handles numerous contracts on her own as a paralegal, troubleshoots technical issues with the system, is responsible for the training manual, and trains users.”
Calabro said Rutledge has taken on a more active role supporting her as board secretary by planning meetings, preparing and assembling materials and assisting with the Trustee manual and yearbook.
“Amy interacts positively with employees across campus, in every department, as well as members of the Board of Trustees, vendors, students and guests,” she said. “She always greets visitors to our office with a smile and a willingness to be of assistance. … She is not only a positive influence in the Office of General Counsel, but she also supports the mission and purpose of the university by always being willing to help coworkers in other departments.”
The most recent example of that was the role Ruteldge took in the investiture ceremony for President Downs. Rutledge planned events for that week, including the dinner before the Sunday service and the Founder’s Day celebration.