New Students bring different perspectives to Campbell

     The Ritchs heard about Campbell University through their daughter’s friend.
“We came up and looked at it and we liked it,” said Archie Ritch, who works in the citrus industry in Haines City, Fl.
     Christi Ritch, who wants to become a dentist, liked Campbell too. “It’s small and pretty, and it’s very friendly,” she said.
     Friendly, unique, rooted in religious tradition—these were the words of President Jerry M. Wallace as he described the “Campbell experience” to the approximately 1,300 students and their parents who gathered for New Student Orientation recently.
     “This is a very unique campus,” Wallace said. “You are within five minutes walking distance of six professional schools—law, business, divinity, pharmacy, education and the College of Arts and Sciences. Not many universities can say that, but I say it to emphasize that during your time here, you will have the opportunity to knock on the doors of professors who walk different roads but have the wisdom and experience to help you choose your own road, one that will help you make a difference in the world.”
     Dana Cochran, director of Community Marketing for the Dunn Area Tourism Authority, describes the economic impact Campbell has on Harnett County in different words.  
     “Campbell is one of the strongest players in our tourism revenue,” she said. Each year, Campbell is responsible for the rental of between 2,800 and 3,000 hotel rooms. People travel the world to come to Campbell. Unlike county residents, they are generating new tax revenue for the community not just turning over the same dollar numerous times. They fuel, dine, shop and stay here—all adding to the economy in a very positive way.”
     An event like New Student Orientation could generate as much as $173,000 additional dollars in Harnett County over a two-day period, Cochran agreed. Multiply that number by two, the number of orientations Campbell holds each summer, and the figure approximates one-half million dollars.
     Incoming freshman Amber Pierson, of Browns Mills, N.J., wasn’t studying economic impact. “Campbell represents a good opportunity for me to get away from home,” she laughed. “It also has one of the best pharmacy schools in the nation.”
     This was the largest New Student Orientation in Campbell history, said Dean of Admissions Herb Kerner. Students came from all over the United States and from as far away as China. During the two-day event, the students were able to talk to faculty and financial aid advisors and pre-register for fall semester.
     Founded in 1887, Campbell University is North Carolina’s second largest private institution of higher education. Located in Buies Creek, N.C., just east of the center of the state, Campbell combines academic excellence and Christian commitment. More information about Campbell University is available on the Web site, www.campbell.edu.


 

Bulletin 0019-6/27/05