Wallace inaugurated as Campbell's fourth president in 117-year history

From contributed reports

BUIES CREEK - Jerry M. Wallace promised to provide Campbell University students with an education in the context of a Christian community as he was inaugurated as the school's fourth president April 2.

"This inauguration service marks the ceremonial beginning of a new presidency, but it is much more. It is a time to celebrate the great achievements of Campbell University, to rededicate ourselves to Campbell's mission, and to set forth a vision for the years ahead," Wallace said.

Betty and Jerry Wallace stand together during a litany of covenant and installation. Jerry Wallace was inaugurated as Campbell University's fourth president April 2. Click here to view a slideshow from Wallace's inauguration.

About 1,000 people including N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, former U.S. Senator Jesse Helms, and Baptist State Convention Executive Director-treasurer Jim Royston, attended the inauguration on the mall of Campbell's Lundy-Fetterman School of Business.

Wallace accepted the oath of office, which was administered by Frederick Taylor, chairman of the Executive Committee of the school's Board of Trustees and Trustee Chairman Harold Wells.

Wallace promised a continuing resolve to look ahead and embrace new opportunities. He affirmed diversity and pledged to respond to the existing and developing needs of the region, state, and nation by providing new undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs that complement and extend Campbell's mission.

Wallace vowed to provide new and improved academic, residential, student-life, and athletic programs and facilities; to challenge alumni to greater involvement with Campbell; and to increase efforts to enlist new benefactors from a broader constituency with a new marketing and advancement plan.

"I enthusiastically welcome this great opportunity and calling," Wallace said. "I welcome all who are assembled here today to join me in accepting the great challenge of working together to ensure the success of Campbell University. God being my Helper, I will do my best!"

As part of the service, the university presented Wallace with a presidential ring, a reminder of the covenant he accepted as president, and Wallace was named an honorary alumnus of the university.

Wallace expressed his appreciation to many, especially his wife and children and his mentors, Norman A. Wiggins, current chancellor and third president of Campbell University, and his wife, Millie.

"I say thank you for inviting me to come to Campbell 34 years ago, and for having confidence enough to allow me to share the great mission and calling of Campbell University," said Wallace.

Wallace joined the Campbell faculty in 1970 as an adjunct professor; then from 1975 to 1981 served as chairman of the Department of Religion and Philosophy and Tyner Professor of Religion. Wallace was later named dean of the university and director of Graduate Studies; then appointed vice president of Academic Affairs and provost, where he served from 1984 to 2001.

After stepping away from the provost position, Wallace served as a special assistant to Wiggins and as a professor in the Campbell Divinity School. He was elected president of Campbell on May 29.

Marshall, a 1981 graduate of Campbell's Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, said it was a distinct, personal privilege to represent Gov. Mike Easley and the people of North Carolina at the event.

"Campbell University plays an important role in our state's history and in our future," she said. "Never has the mission to educate the next generation been more important than now.

"But we must do more than educate. We must give guidance and moral direction as well. I know your vision for Campbell University, Dr. Wallace, is to continue to fulfill both of these missions."

Yoong Lai Thye, principal of Tunku Abdul Rahman College in Malaysia where Campbell established an extended campus program in 1979, praised the university for its vision.

"Your outreach has brought Campbell international recognition," she said. "I represent many colleagues both past and present who have worked with you and there are thousands of students who now work around the world because of you."

Wiggins quoted a former president of Columbia University in his remarks.

"The passing of the power from one president to another is just an incident," Wiggins said. "The university is everlasting. But it is a very important incident. We will hold you in our prayers and in our hearts."