BUIES CREEK – Campbell University’s School of Education commissioned more than 100 graduating seniors to service and recognized alumni and Campbell supporters at its 19th Spring Commissioning Service Friday.
State Sen. Dr. William Purcell of the state’s 25th District was Friday’s keynote speaker, and he brought a challenge to the seniors to serve with their students’ futures in mind.
“I encourage you as marked individuals, as you enter your chosen profession, to look for service opportunities even above and beyond your chosen profession,” Purcell said. “Never forget the joy that comes in helping others even though it may not be obvious until years later. As you serve others, always try – as hard as it may be at times – to do it with compassion.”
The School of Education offers undergraduate programs in birth, kindergarten, elementary, middle grades, secondary and special education as well as psychology and social work. Master’s level programs are offered in teaching, counseling and school administration.
During the annual convocation, the school honors outstanding students and alumni in the various departments. Among the students honored was Braden Forbes, a senior majoring in Social Work who said she was grateful for the opportunities afforded to her.
“Over my years at Campbell University, I have seen how the Friends of the School of Education have supported me through financial aid as well as funded my classmates and me to become members of a professional Social Work organization in order to learn more about the profession, to participate in conferences, and to network with other Social Work agencies,” Forbes said. “I could not have been where I am today if it was not for the School of Education. You all have helped enhance my career path.”
The other student honorees included Bethany Raquel Malpass, who received the Outstanding Student Award in Psychology, and Samuel “Duncan” McMillan, who received the Professional Education Outstanding Student Award.
Several Campbell Education Alumnae were also recognized – Kay Paksoy received the School of Education Graduate of the Last Decade Alumna Award, and Jennifer Lampley received the School of Education Outstanding Alumna Award.
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Susan Lawrence was awarded the School of Education Lifetime Achievement Alumna Award. Lawrence is a 1979 graduate of Campbell with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and received a commission in the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. Lawrence is currently the Chief Information Officer for the Army.
SPECIAL STUDENT, ALUMNI AWARDS
Social Work Outstanding Student: Braden Forbes
Braden Krista Forbes of Camden County is co-chairman of the Social Work Club, and in her four years at Campbell, she has helped organize many service projects.
A school supply drive helped needy students in Lee County, and a needy family received clothing and gifts to brighten their Christmas this year. Efforts for the spring semester include bringing a speaker to the campus during Social Work Awareness Month to discuss issues related to social justice with students.
Braden was elected to serve as the undergraduate Student Representative to the Board of the National Association of Social Work’s North Carolina Chapter for 2011-2012 academic year. In this capacity she is able to work with them to develop and offer programs of interest to college students. Braden’s role is to increase undergraduate enrollment in NASW.
The junior internship was completed at Falcon Children’s Home and she is completing her senior internship with Community Home Care and Hospice in Erwin. Academically, Braden has been listed on the Dean’s List twice and is a member of the Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work Majors.
Following graduation, Braden plans to continue her education earning a Master of Social Work degree. Her career goal is to be a Social Worker in the Mental Health and Health fields.
Psychology Outstanding Student: Bethany Malpass
Bethany Raquel Malpass of Clayton is a member of Circle K International, which annually hosts the Haunted Trail during Halloween weekend. This year’s theme focused on the Salem Witch trials and all proceeds from ticket sales were donated to the Six Cents Initiative.
As a member of the Psychology Club, Malpass has seen student interest expand in the organization. The Psychology Department has been an active participant in the mini Relay For Life event held annually on the campus in April. They received an award last year for having the best display from all the clubs participating. Malpass has been an active focus group leader for Student Services, a group review leader for Introduction to Psychology classes and worked as a tutor in the campus’ tutoring center.
She has been listed on the Dean’s List twice and on the President’s list twice. She is also a member of Pi Gamma Mu, an international honor society in the social sciences. When Malpass graduates in May, she will join more than 500 Campbell alumni who are members of this honor society.
Following graduation in May, Malpass plans to attend graduate school to pursue a career in industrial/organizational psychology.
Outstanding Student Award: Samuel McMillan IV
Samuel Duncan McMillan IV of Laurinburg earned the Dormagen-McLean Community Service Award in 2008 for his volunteer service for Scotland County and was then selected as a Teaching Fellow at Campbell University.
During McMillan’s freshman year, the Teaching Fellows traveled to Washington, D.C., to take advantage of cultural and multicultural opportunities through the museums and embassies in the city. At the conclusion of his sophomore year, he traveled with Teaching Fellows to Costa Rica.
During his junior and senior years ,he has served as president of the organization and as a mentor for incoming students enrolling as Teaching Fellows.
He has earned placement on the Dean’s List three times and the President’s List once for his outstanding classwork.
He said he plans to teach and possibly pursue a Master’s Degree in the area of school counseling. With his father passing away in 2010, McMillian said he is also considering following in his footsteps for a position in ministry.
Graduate of the Last Decade Alumna Award: Kay Paksoy
Kay Paksoy earned her bachelor of Social Work from Campbell University in 2009. During her time at Campbell, she worked with the Governor’s One Step program supervising youth assigned to community service. Paksoy became instrumental in program development and advertisement for the agency. She conducted site visits to the youth in order to strengthen their personal lives and see different options and directions for their lives.
Following graduation, Paksoy chose employment with Methodist Home for Children in a Residential Group Home in Raleigh and Manteo. When the 2011 legislative session started, she felt she could best use her talents being an advocate for legislation bettering the children and youth of North Carolina.
She returned to the NASW-NC to hold the position of Director of Advocacy, Policy and Legislation. She is a full-time lobbyist for social workers in North Carolina lending her voice and influence to such issues as the treatment of mentally ill inmates in prisons, licensure reimbursement, immigration, human trafficking, child and adult welfare as well as budget issues for state agencies and nonprofits.
With her continuing passion of social activism, Paksoy is involved with professional social workers and students interested in the field of social work throughout North Carolina.
She has chosen to be the voice ensuring the rights of North Carolina’s most vulnerable citizens are protected and for the social work profession to have equitable treatment in policy making.
Outstanding Alumna Award: Jennifer Lampley
Jennifer Elaine Lampley was a Magna Cum Laude honors graduate earning her Bachelor of Science degree during the commencement exercises held in May 1997.
Following graduation, she accepted a position at North Harnett Primary School and began following her dream of being a teacher. As Lampley made plans to say goodbye to her first class, she made the decision to return to Campbell to begin working on a master’s degree. She earned her master’s degree in May of 2001 and the next academic year at North Harnett Primary, she was named Teacher of the Year.
During her 14-year tenure at North Harnett Primary, Lampley has been considered a great resource to those in the field of education. She serves as a mentor to novice teachers, sits on numerous school committees and represents the school at the district level. She has also led workshops for various schools in Harnett County and served as a trainer for the North Carolina Teacher Academy in the area of Mathematics.
Lampley also serves as an officer for the Harnett County Reading Council and serves on the North Carolina Young Author’s Celebration committee.
As full as her life is, Lampley has maintained relationships with her former Campbell colleagues. Last year, she and Lisa Denning worked together to cultivate a new idea leading both to be recognized as recipients of the Bright Ideas Grant. She also serves as a cooperating teacher allowing current Campbell students to complete their student teaching and practicum’s with her students at North Harnett Primary.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Lt. Gen. Susan S. Lawrence
A native of Ida Grove, Iowa, Lawrence is also the second female three-star general currently serving in active duty and the fourth woman to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in the Army.
As the CIO, Lawrence reports directly to the Secretary of the Army for setting strategic direction and objectives and supervises all Army C4 (command, control, communications and computers) and IT functions.
Throughout her career, she has served in operational assignments in Europe, Korea, Southwest Asia and the United States. She has commanded at every level from platoon to Army Signal Command.
Lawrence received a Bachelor of Science degree from Campbell in 1979 and holds a Master’s degree in Information Systems Management from the University of Georgia.
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Story by Jonathan Bridges, Campbell University Communications intern
Photos by Bennett Scarborough