Campbell Law 50th Anniversary Spotlight: Sandra Alice Ray ‘91
Sandra Alice Ray ‘91 serves as a North Carolina District Court judge, holding Seat 8 of District 6 that includes parts of Pender County and surrounding areas in North Carolina’s 5th Judicial District. As a state district court judge, Ray oversees all felony, probate and civil cases, rules in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorizes naturalization procedures and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts. Ray earned her bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University (NCSU) in 1987.
Current Role: District Court Judge 6th Judicial District
Why Campbell Law?
Campbell Law’s commitment to integrating professional excellence with moral purpose is what brought Ray to the law school. She was drawn to Campbell Law for its leadership, service and unique mission as a Christian institution.
On practice
Ray serves as a District Court judge, presiding over juvenile, civil and criminal cases. She was drawn to the judiciary by a desire for public service and the opportunity to make an immediate, meaningful impact on the community by ensuring fair, efficient and compassionate justice in the courtroom.
A lesson that stuck
“Campbell taught me that the legal profession is not just a career, but a higher calling rooted in service and integrity. That lesson directly guides my work on the bench today, reminding me that every ruling impacts real lives and demands absolute fairness, humility and adherence to ethical principles.”
People who shaped you
Ray was shaped by professors who demanded rigorous preparation and classmates who provided unwavering support and created a space for intellectual challenge. Campbell’s community taught Ray that true leadership requires both academic excellence and a collaborative spirit, a lesson that guided her daily work in the courtroom.
On being Campbell Law family
“To me the Campbell Law family represents a community bound together by shared values of service, humility and absolute integrity. It means carrying yourself with professionalism in and out of the courtroom because your actions reflect back on a proud tradition of excellent advocacy. It means being a part of a community of professionals who support one another and remain dedicated to leadership and upholding the highest ethical standards of the legal profession.”
Advice to current students
“Treat your law school reputation as a foundation of your professional career. The legal community is small and the integrity, civility and work ethic you display to your peers and faculty today will follow you directly into the courtroom tomorrow.” She stresses to “never lose sight of the human element behind the files and cases you study and to treat the study of law not just as a career path but as a calling to serve others and approach every issue with a commitment to fairness, humility and absolute integrity.”
The next 50 years
“Campbell will be defined by a commitment to the school’s foundational principles of faith, service and professional integrity while adapting to a changing legal landscape. As technology and artificial intelligence reshape the profession, Campbell must continue producing attorneys who ground their technical skills in deep moral purpose and human compassion.”
Sidebar
Currently listening to: “Advisory Opinions Podcast” hosted by Sarah Isgur and David French
Most adventurous thing: Traveling to Greece for a Tulane Law School summer program. While there I met another student and the two of us backpacked on our own for two weeks through Israel and Greece, which was an incredible lesson in independence and navigating unfamiliar cultures.
Favorite Raleigh spot: Carter-Finley Stadium during football season. There is nothing better than the atmosphere of a Wolfpack home game.
Proudest moment: My proudest moment is a continuous one as a mother of three and soon to be grandmother. Balancing the rigorous demands of a legal and judicial career while successfully raising a family is my greatest achievement.