Wiggins takes time off from Campbell

From staff reports

Campbell University President Norman Wiggins is taking a six-month sabbatical from the university. Wiggins, 77, has led Campbell for 34 years. He started his time away from the Buies Creek school just after the May 3-4 meeting of Campbell's trustees.

Campbell spokesman Jim Person said Wiggins was hospitalized May 7-10 for dehydration but was "doing fine" on May 15. Wiggins began feeling ill May 7 while on the way to a meeting in Winston-Salem sponsored by the Baptist State Convention's Council on Christian Higher Education.

The school's president stopped to see a doctor in his hometown of Burlington. The doctor immediately checked Wiggins into the N.C. Baptist Hospitals in Winston-Salem, where he stayed for several days.

Wiggins, a former state convention president did not attend the school's May 14 graduation because he had already started the sabbatical, but was on campus in meetings the next day, Person said.

The weekend before graduation, Wiggins stayed in touch with Campbell staff members and called Baptist World Alliance President Billy Kim, who was on campus to speak at the school's baccalaureate service, Person said.

Person said he was not aware of any plans by Wiggins to retire.

Jerry Wallace, who has been vice president and provost at Campbell since 1984, will lead the school while Wiggins is away. Wallace had planned to take six months off after he retires June 30, then return to teach at Campbell's divinity school early next year. Instead, he will serve as "assistant to the president" during Wiggins' sabbatical, then take off until he returns to teaching in the fall of next year.

Campbell's trustees authorized the sabbaticals for Wiggins and Wallace during their May meeting, according to a statement released by the school.

Wiggins' sabbatical was given in appreciation and recognition of Wiggins and his wife, Millie.

"Dr. Wiggins, who has served as Campbell's third president since June 6, 1967, has given tirelessly to the university, working '24/7' even before the term became popular," said Fred H. Taylor, the trustees' chairman. "The board has in the past encouraged Wiggins to take a sabbatical, and after some consideration, he has finally agreed."

Wiggins plans to spend time researching, writing, traveling and enjoying time with his wife, family and friends during the sabbatical, according to the school's statement.