Folwell Fountain dedicated to memory of beloved dean

     Loved and respected by the Buies Creek community, the late Thomas H. Folwell’s imagination and intelligence as founding dean of the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business shaped Campbell University’s award-winning business program. Folwell died in 2000, just months after the completion of a new business building located on the Northwest corner of the campus. On Thursday, Oct. 6, the university dedicated a fountain and commons area in his memory. Included in the dedication of the Thomas H. Folwell, Jr. Memorial Fountain, were the Ester Holder Howard and Shahriar Mostashari meditation areas.
     Campbell President Dr. Jerry M. Wallace remembered Folwell as a person of kindness, compassion and commitment. “Today we have witnessed another marvelous testimony to the people who have done special things for Campbell University,” said Wallace. “Surely the beautiful fountain and meditation areas will grow lovelier by the year and become a place where decisions will be made, where people will come in times of joy and sorrow and where we can be reminded of these wonderful people who have made so many contributions to Campbell.”
     In 1963, nearing graduation from Duke University, Professor Thomas H. Folwell joined Campbell University’s faculty and began a teaching career that would span 37 years. He became chairman of the Business Department in 1976 and served as director of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. Folwell was appointed founding dean of the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business in May 1985.
     During his tenure, the Trust Management major became the first undergraduate program of its kind in the nation, a master’s degree in Trust Management and Investment was developed, the Certifying Trust Bankers and Southeastern Trust schools were established linking Campbell to banking and trust industry professionals, and an undergraduate program in golf management was established and approved by the Professional Golfers Association of America. In addition, Folwell was instrumental in the development of a valuable, mutually beneficial relationship between Campbell and the North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center in which Campbell students work with area businesses to develop solutions for specific problems.
     Recognized as an exemplary professor and administrator, Folwell received many honors during his long career, including awards for Excellence in Teaching, Educator of the Year, Outstanding Faculty-Staff Member of the Year, and Teacher of the Year. In 1974 and again in 1993, the Campbell University yearbook “Pine Burr” was dedicated to him.
     Representing the Folwell family at the dedication was Dean Folwell’s widow Judy Folwell White, who served as assistant to the vice president for Business and treasurer at Campbell until her retirement in 2005.
     “Tom Folwell wasn’t ashamed to express his love of God, family, friends and students,” she said. “Tom loved Campbell University and was faithful and loyal to her.”
     The Ester Holder Howard and the Shahriar Mostashari Family Meditation areas were also dedicated. Howard, a Campbell alumna and long time benefactor of the university, is a retired educator who served as a classroom teacher and as supervisor of Elementary Education for Harnett County. Professor Mostashari is associate dean and director of the Master of Business Administration program at Campbell.
     Architect Grover Meetze, founder of the College and University Design Division of Little & Associates in Charlotte, designed the Folwell Fountain and Millennium Mall, an area connecting the business and fine arts buildings to main campus. The fountain and the Purvis Garden are the mall’s main features.

Photo Copy: Judy Folwell White, widow of Dean Thomas Folwell receives a portrait of the Thomas H. Folwell, Jr. Memorial Fountain at the dedication of the fountain on Thursday, Oct. 6. Also pictured is Dr. Jerry M. Wallace, president of Campbell University. (Photo by Bennett Scarborough)