RALEIGH — North Carolina is a better place because of Campbell University and its president, Jerry Wallace, who will step down from the position this summer.
That’s what members of the N.C. Senate and House said during separate sessions Wednesday, May 6, as they welcomed Wallace to the state Senate and House floors to be recognized for his 45 years of service at Campbell, including the past 12 as its president. Both chambers gave Wallace a standing ovation.
“The degree of service and the change that Dr. Wallace has undertaken and brought to little Buies Creek is truly amazing,” N.C. Rep. David R. Lewis ’94 said as he introduced Wallace to the N.C. House for recognition. “When you go to Campbell University, you realize that it truly is, as the author wrote so many years ago, the ‘Big Miracle in Little Buies Creek,’ in large part because Jerry Wallace became its fourth president.
“There are very few people who will ever leave the kind of legacy that Dr. Wallace will leave.”
Consider what Campbell has accomplished during Wallace’s 12 years as its president, said N.C. Senator David Curtis as he introduced Wallace to the N.C. Senate for recognition.
The university opened the first medical school in North Carolina in more than 35 years; launched other health degree programs in physical therapy, physician assistant, public health and nursing; approved starting a proposed School of Engineering and proposed Doctor of Occupational Therapy program in August 2016; and realized record enrollment numbers. Today Campbell enrolls more North Carolinians than any private school in the state.
“I think we owe Dr. Wallace and the entire Campbell family a debt of gratitude,” Curtis said.
How did Campbell achieve all this in just a few short years? According to N.C. Senator Tom McInnis, who also addressed the Senate, Wallace made things happen. “[Dr. Wallace] grew up in humble beginnings,” said McInnis, who represents District 25, which includes Richmond County, where Wallace grew up. “He has made great strides in life. He didn’t sit still and wait for something to happen. He made things happen.
“Our state is a better place because of the life he has lived.”
In addition to both chambers recognizing Wallace, State Senate Leader Phil Berger presented Wallace with a special citation on the Senate floor after its session ended. “Thank you for all you have done,” Berger told Wallace.
Of all the attention, Wallace said: “I am very Campbell Proud and very North Carolina proud. Having the privilege to represent Campbell University in such a very important place as the State Legislative Building lets me know how great Campbell is and what a tremendous service it is to the state. I am grateful they are honoring me because of Campbell. It’s because of the strength of Campbell as to why we’re here. I’m just representing the university.”
Left to right: N.C. Senator David Curtis, Campbell Board of Trustees Chair Ben Thompson, Campbell President Jerry Wallace, N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore and N.C. Rep. David R. Lewis ’94.
President Jery Wallace with N.C. Senate Leader Phil Berger.