Campbell’s newest Distinguished Alumni honored in ceremony

October 30, 2024

The Campbell University Alumni Associationhosted the Distinguished AlumniAwards ceremony on Oct. 25 at the Oscar N. Harris Student Union. The ceremony recognized three outstanding alumni-Dr. Christopher Dague ('09), Neal O'Neal ('81), and Wanda Watkins ('79) - for their professional achievements, service to their communities, and lifelong commitment to Campbell.

Dr. Christopher Dague ('09, M.Ed.) has spent 20 years in education, excelling as a teacher, coach, and now professor. He began his career teaching world and European history and coaching baseball at Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville, where he became the winningest baseball coach in school history. After earning a Ph.D. from NC State University, Dague transitioned to higher education, teaching for Campbell University's Adult and Online Education program and later becoming an associate professor at The Citadel. He recently published his first book, Discussions and Democracy: Motivation, Growth and the New Social Studies Classroom.

"Receiving this award, to be recognized as a Distinguished Alum, is arguably one of the greatest accomplishments I've ever had," Dague said.

He also reflected on his earliest experience with Campbell, recalling a memorable conversation with former Campbell Vice President Dr. Jack Britt. "At the end of our conversation, he gave me that bone-crushing handshake and said, 'I want you to be a Campbell man.' Six months later, I started."

Neal O'Neal ('81), a third-generation pharmacist, has devoted his career to advancing healthcare in rural eastern North Carolina, particularly in Beaufort and Hyde counties. He served on the board of the local hospital in Belhaven and on the board of directors for Mutual Drug. Neal's leadership played a crucial role in ensuring early access to COVID-19 vaccines in his community, and his contributions to healthcare have earned him several awards. He and his wife Helene, a family nurse practitioner, provide essential healthcare services in the region through their pharmacies and Helene's practice.

"The things that I learned at Campbell-the community involvement and moral compass-have kept me focused on what I need to do," O'Neal said. "Campbell helped me understand how to treat people and meet their needs."

O'Neal's deep connection to Campbell is reflected in his extensive involvement on university boards, including the CPHS Alumni Board, the Dean's Advisory Council, the Pharmacy Advisory Council, and the Presidential Board of Advisors. Neal and Helene are also top donors to the university, having established an endowed scholarship for pharmacy students from eastern North Carolina.

Wanda Watkins ('79) is a trailblazer in Campbell Athletics, becoming the university's first female scholarship athlete when she enrolled in 1975. A standout on both the basketball and softball teams, Watkins captained both squads and was named MVP of the 1978-79 basketball season. She later transitioned into coaching and led Campbell's women's basketball team for 35 years, amassing 549 wins, making her the winningest coach in program history. Her career included 10 conference championship appearances and two tournament titles, including the program's first NCAA Tournament berth in 2000. Post-coaching, she went on to serve as an administrator in Campbell Athletics.

"Leadership was something I learned at Campbell early on," Watkins said.

She reflected on the importance of purposeful leadership: "Leading with purpose is important. We all have to find our purpose and then lead by our purpose. Campbell does a tremendous job of preparing people for what's ahead post-graduation."

Watkins also spoke about the lasting impact of Campbell's community.

"It's great being part of a university where someone can sit down and maybe have a prayer with you," she said. "I am so proud to be associated with Campbell University. It has shaped and molded my entire life-from student-athlete days to coaching and administration. I've done a little bit of everything here, and it has taught me so much."

The ceremony was a heartfelt celebration of leadership, service, and the enduring Campbell spirit. Each honoree exemplifies the values Campbell strives to instill in its students, and the event highlighted the university's ongoing mission to shape leaders for the future.

The evening featured performances by the Campbell Voices and guitarist Cole Nichols, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

Nominations for Distinguished Alumni are held in early spring and candidates are vetted by the Alumni Board of Directors Scholarship & Awards Committee each summer.

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