Campbell University president Jerry M. Wallace will receive an Outstanding Alumni Award from the East Carolina Alumni Association on Friday, October 16.
A native of Rockingham, North Carolina, Wallace earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Government from East Carolina University in 1956. Wallace received the Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest. He also pursued graduate studies in Sociology and Higher Education Administration at North Carolina State University where he earned the Master of Science and Doctor of Education degrees.
Wallace joined the Campbell University faculty in 1970 as an adjunct professor of Sociology. He assumed full-time employment at the University in 1975 as chairman of the Department of Religion and Philosophy and Tyner Professor of Religion. He was appointed dean of the College and director of Graduate Studies in 1981 and vice president for Academic Affairs and provost in 1984.
In 2004, Wallace was named Campbell University’s fourth president. Under his leadership, the university has expanded its academic programs and classroom and student life facilities.
As an ordained minister, Wallace served as pastor of the Elizabethtown Baptist Church from 1960-1975 as well as holding interim pastorate posts in central and eastern North Carolina prior to his career in academia.