BUIES CREEK, North Carolina – Campbell University’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (CPHS) held its inaugural Scholarship Ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 24, in Campbell University’s Turner Auditorium. Many students and alumni remember filing into Turner Auditorium in D. Rich Hall for scholastic traditions like Convocation, commencement exercises for the inaugural Physician Assistant class, and Campbell University Worship; however, this ceremony was unlike anything ever hosted by CPHS. The ceremony allowed scholarship recipients and their families to meet their scholarship donors and share stories of accomplishment, gratitude, and get to know their donors on a personal level.
“It is an exciting time in Buies Creek because of the University’s Homecoming, but also because we are pausing today to celebrate the academic accomplishments of our students who have been recognized with scholarships and the generous contributions of our donors that support our scholarships and our students,” Michael L. Adams, PharmD, PhD, dean of CPHS, shared in his welcoming remarks.
The ceremony featured remarks from Campbell University Provost Mark Hammond, PhD, a special presentation of thanks video, and stories from CPHS students enrolled in professional programs who will graduate in 2016.
“As a student, it means so much to know that people are invested in our future and stand behind the career path we have chosen,” said Emily Mantovani, student pharmacist. “In today’s world there are so many worthy causes each of you could be putting your money towards, so it is humbling to know that as a donor, you have chosen to invest in our Campbell education, our future as pharmacists, and the future of the pharmacy profession as a whole.”
Lauren Avery, physical therapy student, chose to share how her scholarship enabled her to attend a three day exercise conference in Washington, D.C. The conference allowed Avery to learn new exercises to add to her toolbox of treatments for future patients and to interact with leaders in her profession.
“Just this month, I was able to appreciate the impact of my scholarship almost immediately when I went to Washington, D.C.,” shared Avery to the crowd. “In addition to saying ‘thank you’, I wanted to show my donor that his support added to my professional development.”
Other comments included sentiments of gratitude and challenges to recipients to start thinking about how they can make a difference in the lives of future Campbell students.
“It is extremely gratifying to be part of a university that makes it a priority to recognize and support the efforts being made by its students,” said James Lisowski, physician assistant student. “On behalf of myself and the other scholarship recipients, I would again like to say thank you to all of the donors and members of the Campbell community [in attendance today]. Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated and have helped many of us as we continue our education.”
CPHS awarded 83 annual scholarships, 86 endowed scholarships, and 81 dean’s scholarship awards totaling over $1 million in scholarship funding for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Following the brief ceremony, attendees joined the CPHS Alumni Association at their annual tailgate for food and fellowship, allowing donors and recipients to continue to learn more about each other and discuss how their individual accomplishments brought them together at Campbell.