Donor Impact Spotlight: John Snipes ’97
BUIES CREEK – Campbell shaped John Snipes (’97) in ways that still guide his life and work. A transfer student who grew up in Dunn, he found exactly what he needed in the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business: real-world instruction and mentors who cared. “The quality of the business program—Dean Falwell, Jimmy Witherspoon, Dr. Mostashari— the professors and the intellect and the real-world application of the courses… that’s what attracted me to finish at Campbell,” he said. “I’m proud of my diploma.”
Today John is an independent insurance agent and owner of Snipes Insurance headquartered in Dunn with offices in Raleigh, Roanoke Rapids and in Morehead City, where he lives. His support for Campbell centers on preparing students for long careers, especially through the newly founded Risk Management Institute (RMI). “My time and experience at Campbell was very valuable,” he shared. John shared he was inspired to give back after the RMI was founded because it’s part of his career in insurance.
Supporting current students means opening doors. “We’re trying to give them some of the same opportunities that I had in a changing professional environment,” John said. “Resources and opportunities that can help them further their career and maybe shorten their trajectory on achievement.” His advice to students who benefit from alumni support is direct: “Embrace the culture and the spirit of Campbell and the quality of the instruction… Take advantage of every opportunity. There’s always somebody out there trying to work harder than you… the cream rises to the top, so be the cream.”
John hopes Campbell’s RMI program becomes a catalyst for the insurance industry. “I hope it’s like a pebble in the pond and we can see the ripple effect,” he said. “If we can start with this program and these contributions, maybe we can develop it to be bigger and broader, eventually drawing more attention to get other agencies involved and provide opportunities through internships and careers when they graduate.”
For prospective students, the promise is community and breadth. “If you’re looking for a close-knit university experience with tentacles reaching in a multitude of areas… law, trust, medical, pharmacy, business to include RMI, Campbell provides a lot of variety,” he said.
As his involvement deepens, his pride has never wavered, and now he is excited about the opportunity to be a part of something new and special. “I’m proud to be a Campbell alumni,” John said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what lies ahead for this wonderful university!”