Stories by Cherry Crayton, Rachel Davis, Leah Whitt and Billy Liggett
Photos by Bennett Scarborough and Campbell grads
A look at December 2013 graduation
BUIES CREEK — Saturday marked a historical day at Campbell University as the university held two commencement exercises to graduate its first students who earned undergraduate degrees in homeland security, master’s degrees in public health, and professional degrees in physician assistant practice.
“Our first students — as with a firstborn child, because they are first — they will always hold a unique place in our hearts,” said Betty Lynne Johnson, academic coordinator of the PA program, during the inaugural PA graduation ceremony in Turner Auditorium Saturday afternoon.
Campbell awarded PA degrees to 34 students and conferred another 338 associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorates, and professional degrees to students during a morning ceremony in the John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center. One of the new graduates to participate in the morning ceremony was James Taylor, of Sanford, who earned an MBA. “I feel like (a degree from Campbell) will open doors that would otherwise not be there,” he said.
What follows is a roundup of stories, social media posts and photos related to Saturday’s graduation ceremonies and Campbell’s new alumni.