Campbell University held three graduation exercises on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15 and 16. A total of 677 degrees were conferred, including 130 graduate degrees and 547 undergraduate degrees. Fuquay-Varina businessman and entrepreneur Bob Barker delivered the commencement address at the service on Friday in which 130 students received graduate and professional degrees. Barker, who is the chairman and CEO of the Bob Barker Company, the nation’s largest manufacturer and distributor of institutional products, is a true American success story. Starting his business in the back room of a barber shop, he sold Fuller Brush products door-to-door and even taught himself how to sew mattress covers when he was in the process of initiating his own detention supply business. “Find your passion early in your career and stick with it like a hound dog on the scent of a deer,” he said. “As a young man, I wanted to become a millionaire by the time I was 30. I missed it by a couple of years, but it was only when I forgot about making the money and became passionately involved in my work that I made it.” Barker graduated from Campbell in 1965. He has served as mayor of two North Carolina cities, Apex and Fuquay-Varina, and was elected to the Senate of the North Carolina General Assembly in 1972, where he served until 1974. Barker received the Alumni Service Award from Campbell University’s National Alumni Association on Friday. Edward M. Gore, real estate entrepreneur, joined his father Mannon C. Gore, the founder of Sunset Beach and Twin Lakes, Inc., in the development of what was to become one of North Carolina’s premier coastal communities. Gore delivered Saturday’s 10 a.m. address at which a total of 225 undergraduate degrees were conferred. A Campbell alumnus, Gore stressed the high moral values and discipline imparted at Campbell. “Campbell has left a mark on me,” he said. “Campbell lays the foundation for success and Christian ethics and attitude.” Gore graduated from Campbell College in 1952. He went on to East Carolina University where he graduated in 1955 with a degree in business. An Air Force veteran, Gore became a second-generation developer of the North Carolina Coast. He received Campbell University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award on Saturday. Also receiving the Distinguished Alumnus Award was Dr. Henry Capps, a family physician from Huntersville, N.C., who graduated summa cum laude in 1995. Capps delivered the commencement address at Campbell’s 2 p.m. service on Saturday at which 322 undergraduates received their degrees. Capps graduated from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University where he was awarded a full scholarship. He joined Lakeside Family Physicians in 2002 and serves as director of Urgent Care and as a member of the board of directors. In addition to maintaining a rigorous practice, Capps volunteers as a physician leader at the Lake Norman Free Clinic.Photo Copy: Winter commencement exercises were held for Campbell University.
Campbell graduates 677 at winter ceremonies