BUIES CREEK, North Carolina –The Hewetts of Princeton, North Carolina, are a “pack of camels,” said Kathryn Hewett, a Campbell University student.
Her father, Alan “Chip” Hewett, received his undergraduate and law degrees from Campbell in 1986 and 1990. As a Campbell student, he was a member of the ROTC and involved in the Student Government Association, including serving as the SGA president his senior year.
Kathryn’s mother, Michelle, attended Campbell before transferring to Barton College to earn a nursing degree. But before she transferred, she met Chip. They married in 1988 on Campbell’s main campus. While Chip attended Campbell Law, Michelle served as Campbell’s cheerleading coach from 1988 to 1990.
Today, all three of Chip and Michelle’s children attend the university: Maegan is in the physician assistant program at Campbell, where she also earned a biology degree in 2013; Kathryn is a sophomore and pre-nursing student; and Matthew is a freshman in biology.
These Campbell ties are what led Kathryn, their middle child, to nominate her family for the university’s 2015 Family of the Year award. It’s also why Student Life ultimately selected the Hewetts for the honor.
“My family and I are excited and honored to be named Family of the Year,” Kathryn said. “Campbell is where my family started, and I love the atmosphere. There is no other place that my siblings and I would want to call our second home.”
The Hewetts are scheduled to be recognized Saturday during halftime of the Fighting Camels football game against Drake as part of the university’s 2015 Family Weekend activities. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Barker-Lane Stadium. See the 2015 Family Weekend calendar for a full list of activities. Note that some activities have been cancelled or altered due to the potential for adverse weather.
Camel hoof prints
The bold colors of black and orange run through my blood. Regardless of the fact that my parents met and even got married on campus in 1988, I have always been a proud supporter of Campbell University. It felt natural for me to apply during my senior year of high school. No matter what sacrifices had to be made, my parents made my enrollment possible. Now, they not only support me financially, but also offer me the encouragement and motivation needed to obtain my undergraduate degree.
“My father encourages me to get involved and take an active role in making Campbell a better place to be.”
My father left the small town of Shallotte, North Carolina, in 1982 and stayed in the Creek until he graduated with a major in government in l986. During his tenure at Campbell, my father was in ROTC and commissioned as an Army Officer; held offices in SGA and the N.C. Student Legislature and was involved in several campus organizations. Ironically, as a freshman, my mother first saw my father giving a speech during his senior year as the SGA President. After fulfilling his obligation with the U.S. Army, my father returned to Campbell in 1987 and obtained his law degree in 1990. My father has remained loyal to Campbell and participates in the law trial advocacy program and goes to homecomings and reunions when he can.
Now that I am at Campbell, my father encourages me to get involved and take an active role in making Campbell a better place to be. He constantly tells me to concentrate on my studies so I can earn my degree. He encourages me to do my very best and assures me that becoming a nurse is not an impossible dream. I enjoy getting weekly emails from him that tells me to stay focused.
My mother was a Campbell cheerleader from 1986 until 1987 and coached the squad from 1988 until 1990 while dad was in law school. Although she transferred to Barton and got a degree in nursing, she continues to show her Camel spirit. I have decided to follow in my mother’s footsteps by hopefully one day becoming a nurse, but my goal is to be accepted into Campbell’s first year nursing program. Like my mother, I am very passionate about helping others and I feel that the medical field is where God is calling me to be.
“Since my siblings and I are all students at Campbell, my mother has gone orange crazy with every purchase she makes.”
Since my siblings and I are all students at Campbell, my mother has gone orange crazy with every purchase she makes. Like my father, she encourages me to stay active, which is why I am playing intramural flag football and attending Zumba weekly. During my first semester, my mother held my car hostage to ensure campus involvement. When I need advice, she is the one I go to.
My older sister and brother are both students at Campbell, which pretty much makes my family a pack of camels. My older sister is a 2013 Campbell graduate and is now on her second year of PA school. My younger brother has just begun his freshman year at Campbell and he plans to major in biology. I have thoroughly enjoyed having my siblings here on campus, especially during football season because we all like sporting our black and orange to support our team. My brother and sister are my biggest cheerleaders. They motivate me to succeed and set the example that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
“To me, Campbell felt like my second home.”
Although my family has always been Campbell fans, they never pressured me to enroll here. I was fortunate to be accepted at East Carolina University; but when I was visiting that campus, it did not have the same warm and friendly atmosphere as Campbell. To me, Campbell felt like my second home. The students, teachers, and staff were all so nice and welcoming that I immediately knew that this campus was where God was calling me to be. My parents have inspired my independent thinking and taught me not to be influenced by others and hold onto my own ideas.
My family’s strong Christian influence has instilled a sturdy foundation upon which my success is built on. They not only tell me how proud they are of me but also of how God is with me every step of the way. Although my entire family desires for me to succeed, no matter where I end up, I know they will always love me. I am truly blessed to have a family that I can always count on to be there. Without their love and support I would not be where I am today. I know that my dream of becoming a nurse is going to be a long, difficult journey, but I know my parents are always going to be there to keep pushing me toward success. Looking at their lives inspires me to achieve my goals and make a difference in the world that I live in. — Kathryn Hewett