BUIES CREEK – Campbell University recognized more than 350 students for degrees earned in August 2013 and December 2013 during Winter Commencement ceremonies held on its main campus on Saturday, Dec. 14. Among those were the first group of students to earn four-year undergraduate degrees in homeland security, graduate degrees in public health, and professional degrees in physician assistant practice.
The university conferred 338 associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, Juris Doctor, and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees to students during a morning ceremony in the John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center. Dr. Mark L. Hammond, Campbell’s vice president for academic affairs and provost, delivered the morning commencement address.
“When degrees are conferred, we say you have been granted the rights, privileges and responsibilities that go along with that degree,” said Hammond, who had been the dean of Campbell’s College of Arts & Sciences since before assuming the provost position on Sept. 1, 2013. “In the years to come, your perspective of your rights, privileges and responsibilities will likely change, but we know that your educational experiences at Campbell will influence your perspective in very good ways.”
The thirty-four students who earned a Master of Physician Assistant Practice were honored during a separate ceremony Saturday afternoon in D. Rich Memorial Building’s Turner Auditorium. They are the first graduating class of the College of Pharmacy & Health Science’s physician assistant program, which began in August 2011.
“I challenge you to be better than most in the way you work with patients and live your lives,” said Campbell President Jerry M. Wallace, who delivered the afternoon commencement address. “You have discovered the joy of helping others. Be active on behalf of your patients and your profession.”
Dr. Ronald Maddox, dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, says he expects great things from this class. “We are excited about the impact these students will make on the health care opportunities in our community,” said Maddox. “They will make health care better for patients in Harnett County and the state of North Carolina.”
Look for more coverage of Saturday’s commencements — including a photo gallery, an extended recap of the inaugural PA graduation ceremony, and profiles of graduating students — on Campbell.edu on Monday.