Over 500 receive advanced degrees at Campbell commencement

     A total of 516 advanced degrees were conferred at hooding ceremonies held at Campbell University on Sunday, May 8. Highlighting the ceremonies were Dunn businessman and entrepreneur Irvin Warren; Judge John Tyson, of the North Carolina Court of Appeals; Dr. James Ellerbe, vice president for business and treasurer at Campbell; Bruce Roberts, executive vice president of the National Community Pharmacists Association; and Dr. Mark Olson, senior pastor at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church.
    The founder of Warren Oil Company, Irvin Warren shared his insights on success with graduates of the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business.
     “You must have a vision, be willing to make sacrifices and be prepared for change, Warren said. “Anticipating future trends, my company changed from metal to plastic packaging, but my competitor was slower to make the change. I ended up buying his company which was three times the size of mine at one time.”
     Warren Oil is the largest independent oil company in North America, owning 20 U.S. registered trademarks and exporting to over 20 countries worldwide. The School of Business conferred 158 Master of Business Administration and 24 Master of Trust and Investment Management degrees.
     Addressing the 116 candidates who received law degrees, Judge John M. Tyson, a member of the charter class of the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, imparted some practical wisdom.
     “Justice is when you get what you deserve, mercy is when you don’t get what you deserve and grace is when you get what you do not deserve,” Tyson said. “What does the Lord require of you? To do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Tyson was elected to the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 2001.
Longtime educator and Campbell’s vice president for business and treasurer, Dr. James Ellerbe began his speech to those receiving advanced degrees in education with some simple observations. Ellerbe is a former teacher and superintendent of the Johnston County Schools.
     “Set ambitious but realistic goals and never underestimate a friendship that you make,” he said.
     The School of Education conferred a total of 69 advanced degrees: 59 Master of Education, 7 Master of School Administration and 3 Master of Arts.
     “Pharmacy has never been more alive and filled with opportunity than today,” said Bruce Roberts, executive vice president of the National Community Pharmacists Association. “Graduating is a big leap and a little scary, but I urge you to embrace change and treat it as an opportunity,” he said.
    Roberts addressed the 99 graduates receiving Doctor of Pharmacy degrees and 18 receiving Master of Science degrees.
     Dr. Mark Olson, pastor of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church in Fayetteville, N.C., based his remarks on biblical scripture and personal observation. A total of 30 candidates in the Campbell Divinity School received Master of Divinity degrees and 2 received a Master of Arts in Christian Education.
     “As you are called, you will be going to churches that already have a structure of authority and you will have to understand it,” he said. “Ask how the authority is set up in a church. Who are the movers and shakers? How is the power exercised? A church will give you more respect as they see you perform faithful ministry and perform it well.”
A total of 1,570 students received degrees at Campbell University’s 119th commencement exercises.

Bulletin 0119-5/12/05