I think that he has always seen me as the person that I could be
and not just the student that I was when he met me. — Robert McMahan
After 32 years of faithful service, Dr. James “Jim” A. Boyd will retire from the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (CPHS) on March 31. Boyd has held a variety of roles during his time at Campbell and currently serves as associate dean for Administration and professor of Pharmacy Practice.
Boyd completed his BS in pharmacy in 1977 followed by his PharmD in 1980 from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He was in the second to last class to graduate with a BS in pharmacy before the school transitioned to an all PharmD program.
Shortly after starting his career as a pharmacist and then pharmacy manager, Boyd realized his need for additional business education. After advancing to director of pharmacies at Mercy Health Systems in Omaha, Nebraska, he enrolled in the MBA program at the University of Nebraska and completed his MBA in 1987. Afterward, he began teaching at Creighton University.
Boyd joined the Campbell family in January 1990 as an assistant professor of Pharmacy Practice. His initial teaching responsibilities included pharmacy administrative offerings and geriatrics. As the program developed, he focused his teaching on pharmacy law and management.
Boyd was born and raised in Nebraska. When asked why he chose to move 1,400 miles away from his home, family, and the life he knew, he shared that Campbell’s Christian mission is what sparked his family’s desire to move to Buies Creek.
During his initial interview with former CPHS Dean, Dr. Ronald M. Maddox, Boyd told Maddox he would stay for a minimum of three years, but no more than six. Boyd laughed when he shared how matter of fact his younger self had been by sharing, “and here we are, 32 years later…”
Maddox took note of Boyd’s positive outlook on life early on in their working relationship. “I was always impressed by Dr. Boyd’s dedication to his profession and work ethic. He also impressed me as a committed father, husband, and Christian, providing an excellent role model for our students. Dr. Boyd is known for having a smile on his face and his willingness to serve on committees and outreach activities. Last but not least, I’m pleased to call Dr. James Boyd my friend,” Maddox remarked.
In cooperation with the Lundy Fetterman School of Business, one of Boyd’s early responsibilities at Campbell was to develop a dual PharmD/MBA program. The program was launched in 1991 and Boyd has continued to serve as the founding director. In 1991, at a national meeting and unbeknownst to one another, Campbell and the University of Southern California unveiled their intent to offer a dual degree program. Both schools share being the first to offer a dual pharmacy/business degree.
Alumnus Ron Smith (’98 PharmD/MBA) first met Boyd when he was applying to the newly established PharmD/MBA program. “Dr. Boyd was instrumental in helping me navigate the challenges of completing both degrees on time. He was a great sounding board as I pursued non-traditional pharmacy career options such as health insurance, which at the time seemed like heresy to many of my fellow classmates and my wife. If it had not been for Dr. Boyd’s wise counsel and genuine caring nature, I’m confident that I would not have taken the necessary risks that provided me such a great career. I will forever be grateful and wish him the very best in the next chapter,” Smith shared.
Boyd has been a Godly influence, mentor, and friend to many students, faculty, and staff over the years. Dr. Larry Swanson, former chairman of Pharmacy Practice, shared, “He (Boyd) was invaluable to me, especially early on, in navigating the Campbell culture and giving me advice on several important decisions that were made within the Department. He filled an important niche in our curriculum teaching the required jurisprudence and management courses. During my time as Chairman, our students performed exceptionally well on the pharmacy jurisprudence exam. Jim always maintained a strong Christian testimony.” Swanson and Boyd worked alongside one another for more than 20 years.
Robert McMahan (’00 PharmD) met Boyd during his first year at Campbell in the fall of 1996. Boyd was McMahan’s advisor. “Dr. Boyd has always been available to serve as a sounding board and to provide wise counsel. That is something that I have always appreciated about him. I think that he has always seen me as the person that I could be and not just the student that I was when he met me. That has been amazing to see and to experience,” McMahan related.
During his time at Campbell, Boyd has held the title Director of Medical Missions. He advocated for this program and initially worked with the board of pharmacy to ensure clerkship credit would be available to students during their P4 year. He has spent years coordinating opportunities for students to go and serve in numerous countries and clinical settings.
In 2002 Boyd started working with a group of pharmacy owners to coordinate and lead an owner’s accountability group. Boyd helped create and alter business plans, budgets, marketing plans, operations, and lend overall accountability to pharmacies across the United States.
He and a team of pharmacists would visit stores periodically. After each meeting, store owners were left with two action items of improvement. If these were not accomplished by the next visit, the store would be fined. This endeavor led to invaluable teaching content for class material and even student participation in store visits. It also strengthened the pharmacies by creating a network of support and accountability. Boyd shared, “the stores that participated were some of the top performing pharmacies in the country.”
The relationships Boyd developed over the years have undoubtedly been the most special thing about his time at Campbell. Dr. Robert Cisneros (aka Dr. C), associate professor emeritus of Pharmacy Practice, met Boyd in 2003 when he interviewed for a faculty position at Campbell. Cisneros and Boyd shared side by side offices for sixteen years. “I came to know Jim as someone who has a strong Christian faith and who is devoted to his family. I feel very blessed to know Jim. He has been a good friend. In particular, I remember that there was one medical procedure I had put off getting for years. Jim helped convince me to have it done, drove me there, waited while it was being done, and drove me back home afterwards. What a friend. I wish Jim and all his family the very best,” Dr. C remarked.
Dr. Boyd is known for having a smile on his face and
his willingness to serve on committees and outreach activities. — Ronald Maddox
Boyd is a nationally recognized scholar in pharmacy law with more than 30 publications that include journal articles, abstracts, and grants. He has made numerous professional presentations at local, state, and national meetings. In addition to his teaching and administrative responsibilities, Boyd has served on numerous University and College committees and has continued to serve the profession. Boyd has received numerous awards over the years, but “my most treasured is the CPHS Alumni Association Honorary Lifetime Membership.”
In his current role as associate dean of Administration, Boyd has worn many hats to include but not limited to, managing the college’s budget, overseeing Alumni and Development, Communications and Marketing, and a staff transition group that helps identify strengths and areas of needs within the College. He has been instrumental in creating consistent policies and procedures and developing systems in a collaborative manner to include the entire College.
Buies Creek has changed since Boyd’s arrival. Streets were not numbered in the nineties; homes were simply called by the name of the first owner. The Boyd family lived on campus in the “Profit” house. Mr. Profit was the superintendent of Harnett County Public Schools and Mrs. Profit taught at Campbell College. Boyd used to walk his children to school in the morning and in the afternoon all of the faculty/staff children would play together on campus. “When I think back about my early days at Campbell, I think about the great community! I could walk home and have lunch with my wife. Faculty would go play basketball instead of going to lunch. We would even play against the students and we’d win-until we got old,” Boyd reminisced. The relationships are what he has cherished most.
Dr. Michael L. Adams, dean of the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, shared how much he has grown to value and understand Boyd’s insight and knowledge over the years. From a student/faculty relationship, to colleagues, to implementing ExamSoft side by side, “One thing is for sure, he will be missed by me and many others,” Adams commented.
Boyd has embodied the Campbell mission of helping to graduate students with exemplary academic and professional skills who are prepared for purposeful lives and meaningful service. Not only has he initiated and provided opportunities for students to serve in various capacities, but he has been an exemplary walking example of what it means to serve others and to love the Lord. To know him is to love him. Although he will temporarily aid in the transition of his responsibilities, his presence, wisdom, mentorship, Christian example, and overall positive spirit will be greatly missed.
Boyd has been married to his wife Susan since 1976. They have 5 children and 11 grandchildren. “It’s been an honor to grow with Campbell. I can’t image having had these experiences or relationships anywhere else. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family, traveling, and continuing my hobby of making pottery,” Boyd concluded.