Saturday’s final two graduation celebrations wrapped up a week that saw nearly 1,100 degrees conferred
Dr. J. Bradley Creed closed out 32 years of leadership in higher education and 10 years as Campbell’s fifth president by delivering the closing words at the university’s final two spring commencement ceremonies Saturday. After three decades of sitting through speeches, shaking “incalculable” hands and handing out thousands of degrees, Creed likened the day to his own graduation, of sorts, and talked about his own new beginnings as a retired university president.
“One of the exciting things I’m looking forward to most is spending the next phase of my journey with my beautiful wife of almost 45 years, Kathy,” he said. “My greatest accomplishment was not being the president of Campbell University, as great an honor as that is. My greatest accomplishment is that I married well.”
Creed quoted the epistle of John in the New Testament to describe his hope for the future: “Dear friends, we are God’s children, and what we will be has not yet been made known. What an exciting word of hope,” he said.
Among the recipients was Campbell’s first-ever Master of Science in Applied Leadership class, made up of five students, including 2024 Campbell graduate Monica Castillo West. A 30-year Navy veteran as an information system technician and master chief petty officer, West said she was drawn to the new program because it combined academic insight with practical application.
“I’ve spent decades leading teams globally in high-pressure, mission-critical environments. Still, I knew I had more to learn, especially about emotional intelligence, leading in diverse civilian settings, and developing future leaders,” she said. “This program offered what I sought: a deeper understanding of leadership theory, trust-building, ethical decision-making and the ability to lead with courage and compassion in today’s complex world.”
“Earning this master’s degree has given me the academic foundation to complement my leadership experience,” she said. “It’s helped me translate decades of service into language, strategies, and frameworks that resonate in today’s workforce and that open doors I couldn’t access before.”
At the 9 a.m. ceremony, Julian Brickhouse of Zebulon earned his engineering degree — weeks removed from leading the School of Engineering’s Mars rover team to a first-place finish in the NASA-sponsored Human Exploration Rover Challenge in Alabama and a month removed from a big presentation at the Academic Symposium on a special drone his team is building that can follow skydivers at high altitudes. Brickhouse said he has a job lined up at RoviSys in Holly Springs, where he’ll be working as a systems engineer.
Student Body President Aviel Eubanks delivered a charge to her classmates in the College of Arts & Sciences Saturday to take what they’ve learned from Campbell and do big things in the “real world.”
“The story you’ve started begins here,” she said. “A Campbell degree is far more than an academic achievement. It’s a profound sense of calling and purpose that will set you apart from other college graduates.”
In his closing statement, Creed echoed Eubanks’ words by calling commencement — by definition — a “beginning.”
“Graduation is a completion, but it does not mean you are finished,” he said. “You are just beginning, and you will graduate all throughout your life, passing from one level or stage in life to a higher one. So I hope and pray for you all many more graduations through life, as you continue to learn, grow and love. God bless you, graduates. I love every single one of you.”
- Several first-generation college students completed their journeys at Campbell this week.
- Music composition graduate Abigail Van Tol on her accomplishment: “I have made my younger self proud. I look forward to being a role model for my future children to look up to, should they choose to seek higher education degrees.”
- First-generation graduate Ivana Ramirez: “Being a first-generation student is a huge accomplishment, especially when you’re navigating a path outside of your home country. Coming from Puerto Rico and being an only child made me feel like I’m carrying a sense of responsibility, creating opportunities not just for myself, but for future generations as well. Seeing my parents work so hard so I could chase my dreams makes me feel beyond blessed.”
- First-generation graduate Jacquette McMillan: “Being a first-generation college student means breaking cycles, opening doors that were previously closed and proving that I belong in places that weren’t always designed for people like me. As an African American woman at a predominantly white institution, I felt both the weight and the pride of this journey. It’s more than just earning a degree, it’s about representation [and] about showing my younger siblings, cousins and community that higher education is possible, even when it feels out of reach.”
- Quotes from other graduating seniors:
- “Campbell has given me confidence in who I am as a woman of God, a friend and a leader. I am so thankful for the growth I’ve experienced here. These four years have shaped me forever.” — Rachel Stokes, marketing
- “Campbell has taught me what it means to live with purpose — to serve others, lead with compassion and trust in God’s plan. I’m leaving with more than degrees; I’m leaving with a calling.” — Ethan Asbell, biochemistry and psychology
- “Being at Campbell surrounded me with people who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. Now I know I can walk confidently into whatever comes next.” — Aricela Gagaza, communication studies
- “Commencement is more than a ceremony — it’s a celebration of the relationships, growth and resilience that define Campbell. I’ll carry this community with me wherever I go.” — Mackenzie Davis, business administration
- “Campbell gave me the space to discover my purpose and prepared me to pursue it. I’ve been challenged, supported, and shaped into the person I am today — ready for the next step.” — Bella Segnere, communication studies
- “Campbell helped me realize that pharmacy isn’t just a profession — it’s a calling. From the faith-centered environment to the hands-on support of the Student Success Center, I was encouraged to grow in confidence, competence, and compassion. Now I’m ready to serve my community and, one day, own my own pharmacy.” Aatwanti Swain, Doctor of Pharmacy and MBA
- “I didn’t have everything figured out, and that’s OK. Changing my major to art was the best decision I made. Campbell taught me that growth happens in between the classes — in conversations, friendships and faith. I’m leaving here happy, confident, and grounded in who I am.” Krystal Catalan, art
- “Campbell gave me the tools to pursue a career I love and the people — like my mentors and classmates — who believed in me through the tough moments. Here, I found my calling not just as a journalist, but as someone who uplifts others.” — Steven Moore, communication studies
- “God called me to Campbell, and even when I questioned that calling, He showed me the purpose behind it. This place reminded me of the power of kindness, the value of community, and how even the smallest things can be sacred.” — Lauren Poe, vocal pedagogy
- “Campbell’s professors and advisors genuinely care. Their support helped me gain the confidence to pursue my next step — a graduate degree and a summer internship on Capitol Hill. It’s a community that prepares you for real impact.” Elizabeth Zumbahlen, health care management
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