U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis urges Campbell Law graduates to lead with integrity

May 8, 2026

RALEIGH - Campbell University's Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law conferred 155 Juris Doctor degrees and nine Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees on Friday, May 8, during its 48th hooding and graduation ceremony at the Martin Marietta Center in downtown Raleigh.

The graduating Class of 2026 marks a significant milestone in the lives of the graduates and law school, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, said Dean J. Rich Leonard.

"Graduates, today is a transitional point in your lives," he said. "For the rest of your days, no matter what you are doing, whether you are a prosecutor or a public defender, a civil litigator or a criminal defense attorney, a judge, a corporate officer, a government official or a parent at home raising children, when the question is asked, "What do you do?" you are entitled to proudly answer, "I am a lawyer."

Campbell University President Dr. William Downs described the law school as a "truly shining jewel. You should be proud of joining this growing list of alumni. First, your professors have prepared you well and you are going out with world-class training. You are more than ready. Second, you haven't just been given your degree, instead you had to earn it. You've ultimately prevailed. That should give you confidence. Remember Campbell University's motto, Add Astra for Aspera. To the stars through difficulties. Friends, find your North Star and let nothing stand in your way. Campbell grads are people who care … I charge each of you to advance the causes of justice and understanding in all that you do."

Campbell University Board of Trustees member Dr. Heather Massengill MBA '99, PharmD '00, who had a niece among the graduates, said today marks years of sacrifice. "You have grown both personally and professionally and we are incredibly proud of you. May you practice with integrity, courage and care … today you become alumni of Campbell University. We are confident you will make a meaningful difference. Campbell will always be part of your story and you will be part of ours. We celebrate you today and we are proud of your accomplishments and super excited for all the lies ahead."

Leonard introduced commencement speaker North Carolina's senior U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) calling him "an important voice in our national discourse."

Tillis, who told the graduates to lead with integrity as they enter the legal profession during what he described as deeply divided and rapidly changing times, offered three lessons to the Class of 2026.

"The first lesson is to ask for the hard assignment. Don't ask for a raise, don't ask for a promotion - ask for more work," he said. "Second lesson, earn trust before you ask for anything," said Tillis, adding the legal profession is built on trust, and clients need lawyers who are prepared, engaged and accountable.

"Third, find common ground and build on it. I'm not going to stand up here and pretend it is easy to work across the divide, but in the Senate, the people who actually get work done are the ones who are willing to sit down with the other side and find a sliver of common ground … the same principal applies to your career. Some of the best lawyers I have found know how to find solutions."

He also warned the graduates about the environment they are entering, pointing to political division and broader debates over institutions and the legal system. Tillis emphasized empathy, principled leadership and working through differences rather than deepening them.

"Our world doesn't just need more lawyers, it needs more Campbell lawyers, practitioners who can navigate the rapidly changing legal landscape with both skill and integrity," he added.

Retiring Professor Johnny Chriscoe '90, in his last official duty for the law school, hooded the graduates.

Nottingham Law School Deputy Dean Matthew Homewood on behalf of Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom, bestowed Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees on the following:

• Honorable Richard Baddour Jr. of Chapel Hill
• Honorable William Browne of Asheboro
• Casey Christine Bouker of Kill Devil Hills
• Honorable Tonia Cutchin of Rocky Mount
• Katelyn Louise Gallimore of Raleigh
• Kathryn Ann Greene of Lexington
• Robert C. Kemp III of Greenville
• Virginia Dalton Levine of Cherryville
• Brenden Vincent Michael Silverman of San Diego, CA

"Graduation is always a special moment, but it's especially so when it brings together institutions, jurisdictions and legal traditions from different parts of the world in a shared recognition of achievement," Homewood said. "For me, it's the absolute highlight of the academic year. Nottingham Law School has a long established reputation for combining doctrinal excellence with practical education, professional ethics, and outfacing international outlets. Many of our programs through the LL.M. are designed with the express intention of preparing graduates to operate confidently across legal systems, cultures and borders.

"Those of you who have completed this program have engaged in the international and transnational legal frameworks, explored how law responds to global challenges and developed analytical skills that will serve you well in an increasingly effective profession. And you've done this whilst completing the significant demands of a J.D., adapting to different academic expectations, methodologies and legal traditions. That's no small task. As you all move forward into your legal careers, you will be entering a profession that is increasingly international in character."

Homewood presented the Nottingham Law School Dean's Award to Robert C. Kemp III, whose dissertation Homewood described as truly exceptional.

Student Bar Association President Jessica Griffin gave the invocation asking, "Make us faithful to truth and form our hearts for the work ahead. Let us teach us to see not just cases, but human beings … give us courage when silence is easy and send us forward with wisdom and peace.

Valedictorian Jessica Lynn Edwards Dew told her classmates that at its highest calling the law is not a profession but a service. "My daughter Avery is eight years old … if there is one thing I hope she remembers from this experience is that difficult things are worth pursuing … Let us be lawyers who pursue justice with courage, humility and decency and let us be lawyers who leave this profession more honorable than how we found it."

Leonard wrapped up his remarks saying, "Standing here in my 13th year as your dean, I have enormous confidence in the superb quality of our legal education that we have given you.. We have taught you to analyze an issue thoroughly, write persuasively, and stand on your feet and comfortably defend your position. With our rigorous curriculum, you have mastered most substantive areas of the law, you have learned to work under deadlines that are real. You have experienced competition here that is fair but not cutthroat. We have encouraged you to learn leadership by taking charge of and running the student groups and activities that we offer. We have taught you to trust your own moral compass when others propose shortcuts. And we have put you out in this community, in externships, clinics, pro bono initiatives and mentorships to learn how the practice of law really works. You are ready.

"And your skills are desperately needed because we are sending you out into a harsh world. Our political system is fractured, with hyperbole and false claims often replacing truth and the desire for common solutions. We are in the midst of an outright assault on our justice system, our judges and even the concept of the Rule of Law.

"So what is my hope for you? I hope you leave here with a fervent commitment to the Rule of Law, that it is only through belief in and loyalty to our common system that problems can be addressed. I hope you understand the truth cannot be manufactured but is objective, and no process has ever been better at finding truth than our legal system. I hope you believe in the intrinsic value of all of God's children, and their right, as we say in our founding document, to 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.' As you spread out across big firms and small, big cities and small hamlets, private, public, academic and corporate positions, I hope you leave here as warriors for democracy and warriors for justice."

Associate Dean of Academic Affairs John DeStefano gave the benediction saying, "Thank You for raising up these men and women … that each may be tireless guardians of liberty and justice … never let their hearts be hardened and grant them a spirit of charity … bless these lawyers today and every day."

Find more photos of the ceremony at this link and watch the graduation ceremony's YouTube recording at this link . A copy of the program can be found at this link.

As part of the graduation ceremony, the following awards were announced:

The Howard Memorial Christian Citizenship Award is awarded to the individual whose citizenship and leadership exemplify the Christian character and aspirations of the School of Law. Established by the Howard Memorial Christian Education Fund in memory of Barry Howard.

• Reese David Dickerhoff of Vass

The Third-Year Academic Achievement Award is awarded to the graduating student with the highest academic average in his or her third year.

• Natalie J. Livingston of Charlotte

The Richard A. and Nikki A. Lord Outstanding Graduate Award is awarded to the individual who excels academically as well as in additional endeavors thereby contributing fully to the School of Law, his or her peers, and the legal profession. This award, which recognizes overall excellence, was established by Campbell Law Professor Emeritus Richard A. Lord.

• Natalie J. Livingston of Charlotte

The Jessie and Elizabeth Leonard Valedictorian Award established by Dean J. Rich Leonard for the graduating valedictorian, named in honor and memory of his parents.

• Jessica Lynn Edwards Dew of Clinton

The Dean's Outstanding Improvement Award is awarded to the individual exhibiting the most outstanding academic improvement over his or her law school career. The recipient is selected by the Dean and Associate Dean.

• Nicholas Tran Bateman of Kitty Hawk

The Robert A. Jenkins Award is awarded to the individual whose work in various competitions or other areas best represents the School of Law to the community, the profession and the public.

• Beau Gordon Marlette of Winston-Salem

The National Association of Women Lawyers Award is awarded to an individual based on academic achievement, motivation, and potential to contribute to the advancement of women in the profession.

• Kaitlyn Louise Gallimore of Raleigh

The Norman Adrian Wiggins Estate Planning Award is in memory of Dr. Norman Adrian Wiggins, the late president and chancellor of Campbell University, in recognition of the best performance in the estate tax and planning area.

• Jessica Lynn Edwards Dew of Clinton

The Student Bar Association Service Award is awarded to the individual who provides unusual service to the student body and the School of Law.

• Reese David Dickerhoff of Vass

The International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award is awarded for distinguished achievement in the student advocacy program.

• Hailey Daven LaRoc of Corpus Christi, Texas

The North Carolina Advocates for Justice Student Advocacy Awards are presented to the students showing the most significant improvement during their required Trial Advocacy performance sections as evidenced by their performance and grade; leadership endeavors; academic success; and collegial respect and work ethic. These awards are sponsored by the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. This year's recipients are:

• Johnyta Jyll Wanamaker of Brooklyn, New York

• Madison Weiss of Carthage

The Calhoun Advocacy Award is awarded for the best performance in the trial and appellate advocacy program. Established by M. Jean Calhoun, Class of 1980.

• Haydn Charles Bauer of Wilmington

The Safran Moot Court Award is awarded for outstanding contribution to the moot court program at the School of Law. Established by Perry R. Safran, Class of 1981.

• Darren Stephens of Fayetteville

ThePro Bono Publico Award is awarded to the individual whose demonstrated commitment to pro bono activities exemplifies the aspirations of the School of Law and the best intentions of the legal profession.

• Emma Grace Baynard of Trinity

The Outstanding Clinical Student Award is awarded for excellence in clinical fieldwork and for exceptionally thoughtful, self-reflective participation in an accompanying clinical seminar. Sponsored by the Clinical Legal Education Association.

• Elijah Colpaert of Advance

The Outstanding Externship Student Award is awarded for excellence in clinical fieldwork and for exceptionally thoughtful, self-reflective participation in an accompanying externship course. Sponsored by the Clinical Legal Education Association.

• Reese David Dickerhoff of Vass

The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Student Award is a cash award given to the graduating student who has exhibited the competency, ethics, and skills to elevate the practice of family law. It is sponsored by the North Carolina chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

• Abbey Elizabeth Newton of Raeford

The Order of Barristers

Membership in the national society recognizing outstanding performance in the art of advocacy. This year's recipients are:

• Haydn Charles Bauer of Wilmington

• Paige Laurette Klink of Cocoa, Florida

• Hailey Daven LaRock of Corpus Christi, Texas

• Thomas Lotito of Suffolk, New York

• Beau Gordon Marlette of Winston-Salem

• Robert Montgomery Massey of Huntersville

• Jones C. Mullinax of Hendersonville

• David Tip Olshinski of Thomasville

• Annaliese Jeanine Spielman of Bakersfield, California

Order of Old Kivett

Awarded for exemplary representation in advocacy competitions while maintaining the highest ethical standards. This year's recipients are:

• William Frank Alfonso of Jacksonville

• Justin Floyd Booker of Wendell

• Shannon Alexa Conrad of Bayport, New York

• Christian Parker Ray of Charlotte

• Jessica Mechell Griffin of Greenville

• Edmund A. Gunther IV of Winston-Salem

• Virginia Dalton Levine of Cherryville

• Robert Montgomery Massey of Huntersville

• Darren Stephens of Fayetteville

Summa Cum Laude is awarded for a degree earned with highest distinction. The recipients of this honor are:

• Jessica Lynn Edwards Dew of Clinton
• Edmund A. Gunther IV of Fayetteville
• Natalie J. Livingston of Charlotte

Magna Cum Laude is awarded for a degree earned with great distinction. The recipients of this honor are:

• Amy Katherine Bernhard of Raleigh
• Sarah Brandenburg of Wadesboro
• Jacob Carlyly Brendle of Yadkinville
• Clayton Brockmann of Charlotte
• Melissa J. Dean of Tucson, Arizona
• Madison Dishler of Chagrin Falls, Ohio
• Katelyn Louise Gallimore of Raleigh
• Linda Caroline Harris of Winston-Salem
• Emily Marie Jacobson of Waterloo, Illinois
• Natalie Virginia Johnson of Cary
• Ellie Reagan Martin of Murphy
• Emma Kate Pearson of Fleming Island, Florida
• Elizabeth Gowan Reynolds of Charlotte
• Pierce A. Shipway of Youngsville
• Joseph C. Tharrington V of Charlotte

Cum Laude is awarded for a degree earned with distinction. The recipients of this honor are:

• Haydn Charles Bauer of Wilmington
• Gavin Gerard Dacier of Marvin
• Carmen Olivia Daniels of Marion
• George Austin Dreyer of Clayton
• Jessica Mechell Griffin of Greenville
• Deborah Kathleen Harris of Leland
• Brandi Michelle Koprowski of Pinehurst
• Hailey Daven LaRock of Corpus Christi, Texas
• Alana Marie LaRussa of Raleigh
• Dylan Michael Long of Nakina
• Beau Gordon Marlette of Winston-Salem
• Christina Leigh McClure of Greenville
• Anna McKenzie Mueller of Sumter, South Carolina
• Alexis North of Youngsville
• David Tip Olshinski of Thomasville
• Elizabeth Neely Robertson of Charlotte
• Talley Ann Ridgeway of Dover, Delaware
• Daniel Wyatt Schline of Raleigh
• Robert Lowry Ware of Richmond, Virginia
• Kaitlyn Ashley Williams of Clayton

Campbell Law congratulates each of you on your academic achievements!

ABOUT CAMPBELL LAW SCHOOL

Since its founding in 1976, Campbell Law has developed lawyers who possess moral conviction, social compassion and professional competence, and who view the law as a calling to serve others. Among its accolades, the school has been recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) as having the nation's top Professionalism Program and by the American Academy of Trial Lawyers for having the nation's best Trial Advocacy Program. Campbell Law boasts more than 5,000 alumni, who make their home in nearly all 50 states and beyond. In 2026, Campbell Law is celebrating 50 years of graduating legal leaders and 17 years of being located in a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of North Carolina's Capital City. https://law.campbell.edu/

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