Buies Creek, N.C. – Charlotte Philanthropist Irwin Belk, descendant of the founder of Belk Department Stores, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Saturday, May 14, at Campbell University’s spring commencement exercises. Belk’s love of track and sculpture brought the Irwin Belk Track and the Fighting Camel mascot to the University.
A lifelong interest in track and field, stemming from his days as a runner for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, motivated Belk’s contributions to athletic facilities and complexes at approximately 35 colleges and universities.
Belk, who is the retired president of the Belk Group of department stores, also served as a North Carolina senator and was appointed a U.S. delegate to the 54th United Nations General Assembly. In addition, he served a 45-year term on the U.S. Olympic Games Committee, receiving the organization’s highest honor, the Olympic Order. For a period of four decades, Belk also served as president of the American Cancer Society Foundation which presented him with the 2002 Merit award.
Belk’s career interests range from farming and manufacturing to banking, real estate and politics.
Photo Copy: Dr. Charlotte philanthropist Irwin Belk, left, receives the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Dr. Jerry M. Wallace, president of Campbell University. (Photo by Bennett Scarborough)