Matthews receives first Alumni Life of Service award

     Diamond Johnson Matthews, of Buies Creek, was honored Tuesday, Jan. 31, at Campbell University’s 120th Founder’s Day celebration. Matthews is the first person to receive the university’s Alumni Life of Service award, given to alumni who have contributed a minimum of 60 years of service to the university either as a volunteer, faculty member or staff member. Matthews has been an assistant to three of Campbell’s four presidents, Dr. Leslie H. Campbell, Dr. Norman A. Wiggins and Dr. Jerry M. Wallace.
     “Diamond. Even her name means durability,” said David Russ, president of Campbell’s National Alumni Association, as he presented the award. “The words ‘Pure’ and ‘Durable’ certainly define the career of Diamond Matthews.
     Matthews began working in the president’s office at Campbell when she was just 17 years-old, meanwhile earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She also has the distinction of being the first summa cum laude graduate after Campbell received senior college accreditation in 1965. And she is the first and longest serving secretary to Campbell’s Alumni Board of Directors, assuming that duty in 1959.
     One of the great highlights of her career was seeing the university achieve accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
     “We had worked on accreditation for several years,” she said, “and for two weeks I had been working day and night on the self-study that Dr. Leslie Campbell took to the Atlanta meeting. The night he returned, the whole student body was waiting on the train station platform at 2 a.m. for the news, and it was good!”
     Matthews continues to work as an assistant to President Jerry M. Wallace.


Photo Copy: Mrs. Diamond Johnson Matthews receives the Alumni Life of Service award from Dr. Dwaine Greene, Tuesday, Jan. 31, at Campbell’s Founder’s Day celebration.