2016 | The year in review

An overview of the 16 biggest stories at Campbell University in 2016.

J. Bradley Creed installed as Campbell’s fifth President

Although his first day on the job was in 2015, J. Bradley Creed made it official at his installation ceremony on April 8, 2016. Campus was decked out in orange and black as we, in the words of President Creed, “hung some bling around his neck.”  MORE

School of Engineering opens

The School of Engineering opened in August with 96 students enrolled in its inaugural class. Only the second engineering school at a private university in North Carolina, Campbell Engineering offers an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science in General Engineering degree with concentrations in mechanical engineering and chemical/pharmaceutical engineering. MORE

Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing enrolls first class

The Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing held its first classes in August welcoming the 46 students accepted into the program. The School of Nursing curriculum is two years and boasts a rigorous course of didactic and clinical instruction. Only juniors and seniors are enrolled. MORE

Tracey F. Smith Hall of Nursing & Health Sciences opens

Campbell University dedicated the Tracey F. Smith Hall of Nursing & Health Sciences and the Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing at a ceremonial ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, Sept. 21. The 72,000 square-foot building is located adjacent to the Leon Levine Hall of Medical Sciences located on Campbell’s Health Sciences Campus off U.S. 421, in Lillington, less than a mile west of the school’s main campus. MORE

Strongest academic incoming class in university history

The university opened its first day of classes of the 2016-17 year with the strongest incoming class to date academically. The Class of 2020 consists of 898 first-year students and 258 transfer students. MORE

Campbell Football joins Big South Conference and scholarship football

In November, the Fighting Camels football team announced it would join the Big South Conference in 2018. Joining the conference, that includes schools like Liberty, Charleston Southern, Gardner-Webb, and Presbyterian, means tougher competition that is closer to home and the ability to offer athletic scholarships when recruiting players. MORE

Community Law Clinic opening in Downtown Raleigh

Campbell Law School’s Community Law Clinic became a welcomed fixture in Downtown Raleigh this fall. Offering backup legal services free of charge to area non-profit agencies and their clients, the Community Law Clinic serves as a clinical support program designed to help in key social matters while providing experience to Campbell Law students. MORE

Campbell graduates charter physical therapy class

The College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences graduated its inaugural Doctor of Physical Therapy class on Saturday, Dec. 17. In the three short years since the program began, the charter class established the student lead PT Pro Bono Clinic and moved into a brand new, state-of-the-art teaching facility on Campbell’s Health Sciences campus. MORE

The Campus Kitchen at Campbell University

After securing a $5,000 grant in a nationwide contest in May, the Campus Kitchen at Campbell University officially launched in November. The Campus Kitchen transforms unused food from local and campus vendors to healthy meals for those experiencing food insecurity in Harnett County. MORE

Buies Creek Astros set up shop for 2 years

Professional baseball is calling Buies Creek home! In November, the Houston Astros announced that the Carolina League Buies Creek Astros will serve as the temporary Astros Class A Advanced affiliate for the 2017-18 seasons. MORE

Campbell Law celebrates 40 years

The fall semester marked 40 years since the Campbell Law School enrolled its first class. Campbell Law Dean Rich Leonard said, “For 40 years now Campbell Law School has aspired to create practice-ready lawyers that are ready to serve and lead on day one. From Buies Creek to downtown Raleigh, that goal remains. Our alumni are serving their civic and professional communities in extraordinary ways, and our students, faculty, and staff continue to weave themselves into the fabric of one of the country’s most fascinating and rapidly-growing cities. Our entire law school community strives to produce great lawyers that utilize their calling as a means to serve. Now more than ever we are making good on that pledge, and it all traces back to the vision that founded this institution and everyone along the way up until this point.” MORE

Divinity school celebrates 20 years

The Campbell University Divinity School honored 20 years of Christ-centered, Bible-based, and ministry-focused theological education at its annual convocation and commissioning ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 13. The recognition of more than 650 alumni, the pinning of 27 new students, and the celebration of the rich history of the school kicked off Divinity’s 20th year. MORE

Jones Hall becomes first honors housing

After a dramatic transformation this summer, Jones Hall became Campbell’s first honors residence hall this fall. The three-story residence hall, located in the heart of campus, hosts 36 honors students in single rooms, and it includes the Honors Program office, Study Abroad Office, and multipurpose space.

Buies Creek hosts Big South Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament

This year March Madness began in Buies Creek. The Big South Conference Chief of Executive Officers unanimously voted to award the 2016 Big South Men’s Basketball Championship to Campbell, which was held in the John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center March 3-6. MORE

Campbell Day

Thanks to Campbell University alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2017, became the biggest engagement day in university history. Inspired by the Burt family, of Emerald Isle, North Carolina, the Campbell community met five milestones to secure a $25,000 gift to student scholarships.

First Cross Country All-American titles in Campbell’s history

Finishing in the top 40 at the NCAA National Championships on Nov. 19, Lawrence Kipkoech and Amon Terer became the first individual All-Americans in Campbell’s cross country history. The pair from Kenya also led the pack for a while at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship which landed them on ESPN’s coverage of the race. MORE