(From left) Harnett County Commissioner Jim Burgin, Campbell University President Jerry Wallace and N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities President Hope Williams
LILLINGTON — The awards and honors keep piling up on this, the farewell tour of Campbell President Jerry Wallace, who will retire at the end of June after 45 years with the University, the last 12 as president.
In the meeting chambers of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners Monday morning, Wallace received two more honors — the Old North State Award signed by N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory and the designation of June 1, 2015, as “Jerry M. Wallace Day” in Harnett County.
Surprised and humbled by both announcements Monday, Wallace joked, “I’m really being out-niced today.”
The commissioners unanimously approved “Jerry M. Wallace Day,” recognizing not only Wallace’s service to Campbell and the county, but the “major social and economic impact” the school has had on the county and region during his leadership.
“Year from now, we will look back and marvel at the economic growth, advances in health care and the success of our citizens,” Commissioner Jim Burgin said. “And we will see [Wallace’s] fingerprints on all of it.”
Burgin presented Wallace with the resolution and a copy of Monday’s Dunn Daily Record and its front-page centerpiece story on the president and the day honoring him. In accepting the honor, Wallace said he loved Harnett County and recalled traveling to Chicago to discuss the feasibility study of the new medical school. In that meeting, he said, it was suggested Campbell consider larger cities like Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro for the med school’s site.
“But we said, ‘No.’ We want this med school in Harnett County,” Wallace said. “It needs to be born in the region it’s going to serve, because there are too many sick and dying people we need to be able to help. That’s our mission.”
Wallace said the school would not have been possible without the “significant sum” pledged by the citizens and government of Harnett County.
“I believe the best is yet to come for this great county,” he added. “We have so many great opportunities to serve the people and make this the crown jewel of North Carolina. It has wonderful geography, wonderful resources and marvelous opportunities. Campbell will be a good child. Please use us every way you can.”
Wallace’s Old North State Award comes just months after his Order of the Long Leaf Pine honor, presented at the Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh. Hope Williams, president of the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities and longtime friend and colleague of Wallace’s, traveled to Lillington Monday to present the award.
“The med school certainly wouldn’t be here without your leadership,” Williams told Wallace, “and your vision. It’s just one of so many great programs you’ve made possible. Campbell has never been stronger and it’s never looked more beautiful than under your presidency, your leadership and your guidance.”
Williams said the wording on the award could have very easily been written with Wallace in mind: Working together, we can make North Carolina the place of unlimited opportunity — a place where anyone who studies hard, works hard and lives a life with high values can fulfill and even exceed their potential.
“I’m deeply grateful to the governor,” Wallace said, “and I don’t think there’s any place I’d rather receive [this award] than here at home among my dear friends.”
— story and photos by Billy Liggett
Harnett County declares June 1, 2015, ‘Jerry M. Wallace Day’