A 72-0 win against Presbyterian made Saturday unforgettable, but before the football game, more than 300 sophomores and their families gathered outside the stadium for an equally memorable tailgate celebration.
The Sophomore Recognition Ceremony, hosted by Alumni Relations and Athletics, turned the typical pre-game party into an exclusive gathering to honor the class of 2024. Campbell’s traditional orientation and welcome events were canceled or limited due to COVID-19 regulations when the class initially became Camels. This weekend, they were officially initiated into the Campbell family.
Attendees were greeted by mascots Gaylord and Gladys and steered toward barbecue, hot dogs and sweet tea to kick off the event. After performances by the marching band and cheerleading team, the sophomores took part in a medallion ceremony.
Every year at new student convocation, faculty members award each student a medallion to mark the start of their academic journey. This time, family and friends had the honor of bestowing the medallions, led by Vice President for Advancement Britt Davis. The ceremony also included remarks by featured alumni Bob Barker (’65, ’12), LeAnne Kennedy (’93) and Alumni Association President Marsha McCoy (’08), and concluded with another event that was lost to pandemic regulations—a pinning ceremony complete with a pledge, which was a special recognition for legacy students.
When asked what the tailgate meant to him, one legacy student commented, “I feel like we’re taken care of … like they’re really looking out for us and they’re really trying to make our college experience unique.”
Families glowed with pride at the opportunity to recognize their sophomores’ transition to university life despite the difficulty of a pandemic. The Class of 2024 will be remembered as a class that persevered.