Campbell celebrates Golden LEAF Scholars at luncheon

BUIES CREEK – Campbell University welcomed Golden LEAF Foundation leadership, alumni and current scholars to campus on Thursday, November 20 for a luncheon honoring the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program and its impact on students from rural North Carolina.

Held in the Oscar N. Harris Student Union Ballroom, the event celebrated Golden LEAF’s investment in Campbell students who are committed to returning to their rural hometowns to serve in a variety of fields across the state.

President Dr. William M. Downs opened the program by emphasizing Campbell’s alignment with Golden LEAF’s mission.

“We appreciate Golden Leaf’s mission to increase economic opportunities for North Carolina’s rural and economically distressed areas,” Downs said. “That matters to us because we live it every day.”

President Downs also highlighted Campbell’s role in serving North Carolinians.

“Campbell University enrolls more North Carolinians than any other private university or college,” Downs said. “We are particularly well positioned to attract, prepare and graduate North Carolinians who will return to their communities and lead with purpose.”

He noted that Campbell’s 55,000 living alumni live and work predominantly in rural counties, serving as healthcare professionals, educators, engineers, attorneys, business leaders and more. The University’s commitment was further illustrated in his announcement of a new mobile health station service from the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences that will provide screenings and healthcare education to underserved regions across the state.

The heart of the luncheon focused on Golden LEAF scholars themselves, each embodying the foundation’s promise to build leaders who return to their hometowns to strengthen rural North Carolina.

Freshman Mallory Edwards, a double major in English and history from Sampson County, delivered the keynote student remarks. She credited Golden LEAF with making her Campbell education possible and giving her opportunities to serve in local schools through the University’s Teaching Scholars program.

“Golden Leaf is more than just a scholarship,” Edwards said. “It is a unified support network that encourages students on their academic journey. They invest in the next generation of rural leaders.”

Edwards plans to return home to teach high school English or history in Sampson County after graduation.

Students across multiple majors also took the stage to share short reflections including engineering majors, future physicians, ministry students and a pharmacy scholar who hopes to return to work at her community’s independent drugstore.

Among the speakers was alumna Emily Drake (’17), a Business Administration in Healthcare Management graduate from Rocky Mount, who spoke on how the Golden LEAF Foundation shaped her Campbell experience and her path into the healthcare field.

Drake described how internships in her home community gave her a direct understanding of healthcare in rural North Carolina and ultimately steered her career toward improving access through healthcare technology.

“Without Golden LEAF, I couldn’t have gotten here,” Drake said. “I mean that. It wouldn’t have been possible. The support that you get from the Golden LEAF Foundation is just unmatched anywhere else.”

Following the testimonies the students unveiled a banner reading, “Thank you for believing in us.”

Golden LEAF Foundation President Scott Hamilton addressed the group, praising scholars as the next generation of rural innovators.

“We aren’t just investing in your cost of attendance,” Hamilton said. “Your education isn’t just about building the workforce, it’s about leading its transformation.”

Hamilton encouraged scholars to take advantage of the Golden LEAF network and to embrace their future leadership.

“A rural North Carolina doesn’t succeed unless North Carolina succeeds,” he said. “Your journey is essential to North Carolina’s future.”

Golden LEAF Scholarship Program Manager Arlena Dongilli followed with a breakdown of two signature opportunities: the Rural Internship Initiative and Scholars Connect.

The Rural Internship Initiative is a paid, career-related internship program that places students within their home counties while Scholars Connect is a private networking platform linking current Golden LEAF scholars with alumni.

“Your network is your net worth,”  Dongilli told students. “These internships and connections are designed for you to gain experience, go back home and make a difference right where you started.”

Dr. Downs closed the program by reaffirming how grateful Campbell is for Golden LEAF’s investment in its students.

“In this month of Thanksgiving, what better way to get together and say thank you to a partner,” Downs said. “It’s a great day to be a Fighting Camel, a great day to be a North Carolinian and a great day to dream about how what we do here will make a positive, lasting difference.”