Story by Joanna D’Ancona
RALEIGH, N.C. – Though Campbell Law School relocated to downtown Raleigh in 2009, its campus still feels a lot like the university’s main campus in Buies Creek. That’s in large part because of the strong pipeline that continues to exist between the law school and the undergraduate programs.
Consider that for the 2014-15 academic year alone, there are 20 first-year students in the law school who received their undergraduate degrees from Campbell. As these students trade the quaint Buies Creek for the legal learning laboratory of downtown Raleigh, they bring with them the Campbell undergraduate experience and familial atmosphere, bridging the nearly 30-mile mile gap that separates the campuses.
“The similarities between Campbell University and Campbell Law can really be found in the type of atmosphere, level of professionalism, and care I had grown to expect at Campbell as an undergraduate,” said first-year law student Justin Bradley ’14, who was an English major with a minor in history and concentration in pre-law as a Campbell undergraduate.
For Bradley, deciding to attend Campbell for both undergraduate and law studies was in his blood. His grandfather, Glenn Bradley, worked at Campbell for more than 40 years; and both his mother and uncle graduated from Campbell with degrees in education and trust.
“My family has always been very connected to Campbell and I wanted to keep that tradition alive,” he said.
While traditions run deep in some students’ families, others are first-generation college students. Holly Jones ’14 was the first in her family to graduate from college, earning a B.A. in political science with a concentration in pre-law.
“As soon as I began my career as a Camel I knew I never wanted it to end,” Jones said. “I’m not just a number here. Even the dean knew me by name in the second week of school.”
“Persons, places, perspectives”
These future “Double Camels” — an affectionate term coined by Campbell President Jerry Wallace to designate those who have earned more than one degree from the university — are accustomed to small class sizes and a close knit-community. Even as the university has experienced unprecedented growth and risen in national prominence and exposure over the past several years, those traits still exist — and has only elevated campus pride.
The 20 new first-year students that have relocated from Buies Creek are doing their part to ensure that the Raleigh campus develops that same sense of school spirit and remains “Campbell Proud” – another term Wallace often uses when trumpeting the university’s achievements.
“I remain Campbell Proud every day. I wear my orange with pride every Wednesday because I am grateful to be a part of the Campbell family,” said Brittany Bridges, who completed her bachelor’s in social work from Campbell in May 2014. “I knew I wanted to be in a school that continuously has the highest bar pass rate — not to mention the outstanding professors and faculty and the beautiful downtown Raleigh campus.”
While the small class size, high bar passage rate, and location in downtown Raleigh make Campbell Law a great place for students, there are additional perks for Campbell graduates.
“Something of great value to me, and probably my parents as well, is the merit scholarship given to Campbell Law students by virtue of their alma mater,” said first-year law student Claudia Mundy. “However, decisions aren’t based solely on the aspect of tuition. I chose Campbell Law for what it offers as a whole — persons, places, and perspective.”
“Kind of like having the home-court advantage”
Even for the future Double Camels, there’s still an adjustment period. Law school is not the same as the typical undergraduate experience.
“The work load is overwhelming at first,” Bridges said. “The teaching and learning style is quite different from my time as an undergrad, but I’m adjusting with each passing day. Of course, having that familiar network is kind of like having the home-court advantage.”
The importance of that familiar network cannot be understated, the students said. Many Campbell undergraduates that matriculate into Campbell Law enroll with a pre-existing group of friends and allies. It’s a valuable circle of fellowship that can help new law students navigate through the first few difficult weeks of the three-year journey.
It’s also a circle that’s ever growing. Many Double Camels go on to play significant roles in their professional and community service endeavors, as well as within Campbell. Two Double Camels, Benjamin Thompson and David Courie, currently serve on the Campbell University Board of Trustees, which Thompson chairs. Both are also active with the law school.
“Campbell University undergraduates are an integral part of our student body,” said Campbell Law Dean J. Rich Leonard. “They learn the Campbell Way in Buies Creek, and they carry that same passion for excellence to Raleigh.
“Some of the finest attorneys I ever came across in court are Double Camels,” he added, “and I have no doubt that many of our current students will follow in their footsteps.”
ABOUT CAMPBELL LAW:
Since its founding in 1976, Campbell Law School has developed lawyers who possess moral conviction, social compassion and professional competence, and who view the law as a calling to serve others. The school has been recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) as having the nation’s top Professionalism Program and by the American Academy of Trial Lawyers for having the nation’s best Trial Advocacy Program. Campbell Law boasts more than 3,650 alumni, including more than 2,500 who reside and work in North Carolina. In September 2009, Campbell Law relocated to a state-of-the-art building in downtown Raleigh. For more information, visit http://law.campbell.edu.
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK:
http://www.facebook.com/campbelllawschool
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:
http://www.instagram.com/campbell-law