BUIES CREEK, North Carolina – Campbell University awarded Benjamin N. Thompson the James Archibald Campbell Meritorious Service Award during the university’s main graduation ceremony Saturday, May 14. Thompson is chair of the Campbell Board of Trustees and a partner at the law firm Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP.
The award is named in honor of Campbell’s founder and celebrates individuals who have advanced the university’s mission to prepare students for purposeful lives and meaningful service.
“Ben Thompson has been a commendable asset to Campbell University, providing invaluable wisdom, skills, and experiences as the university has evolved to become a vibrant and comprehensive institution of undergraduate, graduate, and professional education,” said Campbell University President J. Bradley Creed. “All of us at Campbell are grateful for his exemplary service to the university.”
A two-time graduate of Campbell, Thompson is completing his third term as a member of the Campbell Board of Trustees and serving his fifth year as chair. He also chaired the presidential search committee that nominated Creed as Campbell’s fifth president. Creed began his presidency July 1, 2015.
A native of Pitt County, Thompson completed his Bachelor of Arts at Campbell in 1976, graduating cum laude. He was a member of the charter class of the Campbell Law School. After completing his law degree in 1979, he began practicing in Harnett County.
Thompson joined Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton as a partner in 1997. His practice focuses on complex litigation, government contracting law, labor, antitrust, and trade regulation. He has extensive trial experience in state and federal courts throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Among his accolades, Thompson has been recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America, named to Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite, and selected as a North Carolina Super Lawyer on numerous occasions. He has also served as president of the Harnett County Bar Association and the Eleventh Judicial District Bar Association. He received Campbell’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2010.
He and his wife, Patrice Kepley, a 1975 Campbell graduate, live in Dunn. They have one son and two grandchildren.