Convocation, medallion ceremony ‘pivotal moment’ for new Camels

Campbell's largest incoming freshman and transfer class in seven years received their traditional medallions at the 23rd annual New Student Convocation Ceremony held Monday in Gore Arena.

For Lydia Parker, a Greenville, South Carolina native and member of the women's soccer team, the ceremony marked an "official" start of her first fall semester, even though she's been on campus with her new team since June. After a relatively quiet summer, Parker said a renewed spirit filled the campus with the arrival of her classmates, and she's enjoyed the opportunity to get to know people "from different walks of life."

Monday's ceremony was a chance for her to think about her goals over the next four years.

"I want to build my relationship with the Lord, first and foremost, and I want to find people who will help me do that," she said. "I want to focus on character and meet as many new people as possible. And along the way, I hope I have awesome professors who'll help guide and mentor me."

Several of those professors were on hand Monday to present medals to the new students - 150 of whom come to Campbell from 40 different states outside of North Carolina and 16 different countries. The new class comes in with an unweighted 3.5 GPA, and their most popular majors are business administration, nursing, psychology, engineering and biology.

The most common first names in the group: Emily, Abigail, Madison, Savannah, Andrew, Nicholas and Gabriel.

"If you're one thing, you're not a number at Campbell," Director of Undergraduate Admissions Caroline Timiney told the students. "You represent a life, a story, a soul, a human, a family, a challenge … all of the above. You're joining a community that will celebrate you, challenge you, support you, lead you and guide you. And when you fall down, we will lift you up. If you'll let it, this is a community that will change you."

Engineering major and wrestler Cael Dunn said he spent his first few days on campus getting to know his future classroom buildings and the overall lay of the land. As for the social part, Dunn - a self-described introvert - says Campbell helps students in that area as well.

"If you're willing, it's easy," he said. "There were several events going on, and that really helps. I'm not a very outgoing person, and I've met plenty of people so far."

Charlotte Robbins of Wallace, North Carolina, said she's checked a lot of boxes the last few days - knowing what and when her classes are, making sure she's logged in where she needs to be and even mapping out her morning routes. Her goal for the next four years - make it memorable.

"I hope to make friends and keep those friendships for a lifetime. I hope to know myself better and to never forget that I'm going to college to not only learn, but also for the experiences."

Medals are usually handed out when somebody crosses the finish line. At Campbell University, they symbolize a new beginning and serve as motivation for the journey ahead. Speaking at his second New Student Convocation since becoming Campbell's sixth president on July 1, 2025, President William M. Downs recalled his first ceremony as a student and the "overwhelming feeling of anticipation" he felt as he heard the speakers on that day.

"[I remember] an eagerness to get started … a veritable hunger to learn and prove to myself and all whom I encountered that I could do the work," Downs said. "That I could manage life out there on my own. That I could ask and answer life's big questions and try to solve society's big problems. Because that's what we do in college."

Downs called the day a "pivotal moment" in each of the students' lives.

"What you make of your time at Campbell University can and likely will shape the rest of your career … can and likely will shape the rest of your life," he said. "A college degree still matters. My encouragement to you today is to make the absolute most of this moment. Make the most of your Campbell experience. You will not get it all right, nobody ever does. Just be persistent. Be relentless in believing in your own abilities. And be resilient as you navigate the peaks and even the valleys of life. Be assured you have the Campbell family right there with you every step of the way."

Contributors