Lorine Lewis (’93) and her husband, David (’91), needed few words to convince their youngest daughter, Aliza, to join the family love affair with Campbell University.
No speech, no parental pressure, not even the nostalgic photos of Lorine dressing up as Gladys back in the ’90s were needed to push Aliza (’28) over the edge. The serenading sounds of the music department did the trick.
That relationship started pre-COVID when older brother, Anthony (’19), shined as an inaugural member of the revamped Sound of the Sandhills Marching Band.
Liza and her family made numerous trips from Raleigh to watch Anthony take the field for a blossoming new tradition, spelling out the letter “B” in Campbell, that is now commonplace at Barker-Lane Stadium during football games.
Years later, Aliza was actively recruited out of Leesville High School by Dr. Dwyane Wilson, Director of Bands and Instrumental Studies, who provided the intimate behind the scenes experience that made her feel both special and appreciated from the opening ballad of her college search process.
She attended multiple performances on campus while in high school, met with students and faculty for one-on-one sessions about forging her own path, and felt a growing sense of confidence pulsing through her fingers.
“We were blown away by the overwhelming love,” noted Lorine, a fellow music major. “Campbell took her in from day one and the hits just kept on coming.”
This past fall, Aliza shined during her first semester on campus, finding her comfort zone while exploring a passion for the arts.
The freshman music education major, focusing on euphonium and vocal concentration, earned a first taste of the bright lights on the Scott Concert Hall stage during the Fall Christmas at Campbell event.
Now Aliza can add university-wide accolades to her growing set list as the recently named Campbell University 2025 Family of the Year.
The Raleigh natives will be honored during halftime of the Campbell Basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 22. All three of her Campbell alumni in the family will join her at center court for a special presentation, and one last surprise.
Aliza and her friends are preparing to perform the spring play later that Saturday night, Charlotte’s Web, playing the role of Templeton the Rat inside the historic Ellis Theatre.
The Lewis family certainly considers Buies Creek a second home.
Not just by reminiscing over the number of trips to visit campus over the last few months. But the vocal melody for creativity that has run through the Lewis’ family veins for nearly 40 years.
That love story for Campbell University began in the late 80s on the front steps of Oasis, where Lorine and David would perform talent shows for the entire campus as members of the university choir.
Now the entire family will rekindle that passion for the arts for a signature spring concert as Aliza cements her own journey.
“Every time we come back, it feels like we never left,” said Lorine. “We never lost that connection and being named Family of the Year means even more than you can imagine.”
Campbell University hosts its annual Family Weekend (Feb. 21-23) filled with arts and crafts, family worship, Fighting Camels sporting events, the time-honored tradition of the Class Ring Ceremony and a special spring play.