Buies Creek, N.C. – A portrait of benefactors Bob and Pat Barker was unveiled in the lobby of Campbell University’s Bob Barker Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Painted by the artist Michelle Snead, the portrait will be hung in the residence hall bearing Barker’s name. Barker is the newly-elected chairman of Campbell’s Board of Trustees. He is the owner and operator of the Bob Barker Company, the industry’s leading supplier of correction facilities with branches in North Carolina, Idaho and Florida and metal manufacturing plants and distribution centers in Fuquay-Varina and California.
“My hope is that our children and grandchildren will visit this place and want to carry on our work here in building a greater and stronger university with the mission of educating and sending Christian men and women into the world,” Barker said.
Campbell President Dr. Jerry M. Wallace remarked that Campbell is fortunate to have people like the Barkers who not only believe in the university’s mission but are also willing to work for it.
A graduate of Cherryville High School in Cherryville, N.C, Barker earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Campbell College in 1964. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the university in 2006. In addition, Barker has served several terms on the Board of Trustees and has been a major contributor to university growth and expansion. The Barker-Lane Football Stadium also bears his name. He also serves on the Campbell University Foundation Board of Directors.
A leader in his community, Barker sits on several boards and commissions geared toward improving quality of life. He served terms as mayor of the towns of Fuquay-Varina and Apex and was a member of the North Carolina Senate from 1972-1974.
“This is a wonderful building,” said student Davida Williams at the portrait unveiling. “I remember seeing this building (Barker Hall) being built before I was a student here and telling my mother that I wanted to live here. Thank you for giving us a place to live and a place to grow as students.”