BUIES CREEK, North Carolina — Longtime Campbell University supporters Joseph and Janet Boone have established the School of Engineering’s first endowed scholarship in memory of their grandson, Christopher Furtick, who died in 2015 at age 15.
“Christopher was a real engineer — a designer, developer, inventor, and architect,” his grandfather, Joseph Boone, of Lillington, North Carolina, told Campbell Magazine in its Spring 2016 issue. “He had a lot of promise, and this [scholarship] is a nice way to honor a gifted young man.”
The Christopher Andrew Furtick Memorial Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to students in Campbell’s engineering school, which opened in August 2016. Seth Paul Allen, a first-year Campbell Engineering student from Apex, North Carolina, is the first scholarship recipient. He and future recipients will be known as Christopher Furtick Student Scholars.
“I’m honored to have received such a meaningful and generous scholarship,” Allen said. “It will motivate me to be the best version of myself that I can be, both during my time here at Campbell and later on in my career.”
Christopher (pictured left) was the son of Russell “Rusty” and Brenda Boone Furtick of Apex, North Carolina. His older brother, Joseph, is a student in Campbell’s trust and wealth management program.
Christopher attended Apex High School and was a member of Apex United Methodist Church. He played high school and club soccer and was extremely artistic and creative.
He truly loved life, which showed in his compassion for others and his wonderful sense of humor. He wanted to use his talents in the engineering field.
“This scholarship is one way we’ve chosen to honor and remember Christopher,” said his mother, Brenda Furtick.
The family also wanted to recognize the significance of Campbell Engineering, which opened in August with an inaugural class of 96 students.
Campbell Engineering is only the second engineering school at a private university in North Carolina. It offers an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science in General Engineering degree with concentrations in mechanical engineering and chemical/pharmaceutical engineering. Seventy-seven of the inaugural class, including Allen, intend to concentrate in mechanical engineering, and 19 in chemical/pharmaceutical engineering.
“We are so honored that the Boone family has chosen to remember Christopher and his dreams by helping Campbell engineering majors achieve their dreams,” said Dr. Jenna P. Carpenter, dean of Campbell Engineering. “Scholarship funds such as these can truly be transformational in a student’s life.”