BUIES CREEK – Campbell University’s affiliation with the Baptist State Convention has benefited hundreds of students over the years in the form of North Carolina Baptist Scholarships, which award not only academic achievement, but a student’s involvement in his or her church.
A select group of Campbell’s scholarship recipients were invited to a luncheon in November with BSC Executive Director-Treasurer Milton Hollifield, who became the BSC’s 14th director in 2006.
The luncheon served not only as an opportunity for the students to share their experiences and testimonies with Hollified, but also to strengthen Campbell’s ties with the Convention. The University established an Affiliated Relationship with the Convention in 2008, allowing it to elect its own trustees instead of having the Convention appoint them.
“Campbell is grateful for its affiliation with the Baptist State Convention and through this partnership, the opportunity N.C. Baptist Campbell students have to receive this scholarship,” Vice President for Admission Management and Assistant to the President Dr. John Roberson said. “For many students, the N.C. Baptist Scholarship makes private Christian higher education an affordable option.”
To be chosen for the undergraduate scholarship, the student must be full-time and a member in good standing of a church in friendly cooperation with the BSC. The application includes two essays, “My Personal Testimony” and “Why the Cooperative Program is relevant in today’s generation.” The student’s pastor or church representative must also submit a letter of recommendation.
Among the more than 200 Campbell students with the scholarship this fall are:
SARA DOCKERY
Sophomore, Valdese
A pre-pharmacy major at Campbell, Dockery is the daughter of Bible Gospel Baptist Church in Valdese pastor Tim Dockery.
Through her church and her youth group in high school, Dockery said she learned how to take on a leadership role, something that she said has helped her immensely in college. In addition to helping lead a coat drive and being involved in church-led food drives, Dockery was a member of several Christian groups growing up.
“It’s my passion to help people,” she said. “I know that sounds cliche, but I love service work. That’s why I went into pharmacy at Campbell … I want a career where I can help people.”
At Campbell, she’s been involved in the Presidential Scholars Club, has served with Relay for Life and has taken part in other service projects over the past two years.
HANNAH McDOUGAL
Sophomore, Kings Mountain
McDougal, a biology and pre-physician assistant major in her second year at Campbell, was the lead female vocalist in her youth praise band at First Baptist Church in Kings Mountain and was active in Bible studies in her hometown. Aside from the spiritual benefits, McDougal said church introduced her to many important people in her life.
“I cherish the close relationships with people I met at church,” she said. “I’ve met some good friends, the kind whom I know will have my back.”
McDougal’s pastor,Chip Sloan, wrote her recommendation letter during the scholarship application process. While in high school, she took part in mission trips and ministries in Honduras and poverty-stricken areas of Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina, in addition to areas of North Carolina.
“I’m happy to have been chosen because, first, it’s a scholarship, and also because it makes me feel good that I’m seen in a good light by people from my church,” McDougal said.
CHRIS MIZELLE
Senior, Ahoskie
A religion major, Mizelle transferred to Campbell as a junior and is on track to one day become a Baptist minister.
He was referred to the Baptist Scholarship by his pastor, Daniel Glaze of First Baptist Church in the small North Carolina town of Ahoskie. In high school, Mizelle was active in the church’s youth group, and it was then when he chose his career path.
“While in youth group, I felt a calling to the ministry,” he said, “and the church allowed me to be a summer intern there in 2010. I chose Campbell because of that calling, and my goals are the ministry and working in the church.”
As an intern, Mizelle worked with youth group members, was a guest speaker for various programs and even preached.
PHOTOS: From top to bottom: Sara Dockery, Hannah McDougal and Chris Mizelle … photos by Billy Liggett