WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP) — Norman Wiggins, president of Campbell University for 36 years before his retirement, died Aug. 1 at 83.
Wiggins, Campbell's chancellor after his retirement in 2003, led Campbell to become the second largest private university in North Carolina and the second largest Baptist university in the world. He also served as president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.
While Wiggins was the school's president, Campbell College grew to become a full-fledged university, adding graduate programs in law, education, business, pharmacy and divinity. Campbell's law school is named for him.
Wiggins graduated from Campbell in 1948, while it was still a junior college. He later graduated from Wake Forest University and worked in banking. He then studied at the Columbia School of Law and returned to Wake Forest in 1956 as professor of law and general counsel.
Campbell's current president, Jerry Wallace, said there's no doubt that the success of Wiggins' 40-year tenure as the school's president and chancellor is one of the greatest stories in higher education in America.
“His brilliant mind, unwavering trust in God, contagious leadership and tireless work resulted in a Campbell that is recognized throughout the world,” Wallace said. “His purpose at Campbell was not to build a career or a resume to attract a more prestigious or promising position but to work toward what he considered was his divine mission. He envisioned his work at Campbell as God's work and his calling.”
Frank Bonner, president of Gardner-Webb University, said Wiggins “was a giant in Christian higher education.”
“He not only impacted Campbell University but the entire southeast for Christian
higher education,” Bonner said. “He was a tremendous leader who will be sorely missed.”
Jim Royston, executive director of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina 1998-2005, said the news of Wiggins' death evokes an old saying: “They do not make them like him any more.”
“Dr. Wiggins was one of the most significant leadership shadows over North Carolina Baptists during my 30 years of service in the state,” Royston said. “He is the epitome of a gentleman and a scholar.”
Royston said his tenure at the state convention gave him opportunity to develop a close and enduring friendship with Wiggins. “A giant of leadership and Christian statesmanship has graduated to glory where, by the way, he will probably create a graduate program for angels,” Royston said.
Wiggins received numerous awards and honors during his career. He was named one of the top educational leaders in the state in the book The North Carolina Century: Tar Heels Who Made A Difference, 1900-2000.
“There is a kind of spirit that captures people who come to this school,” Wiggins told Campbell graduates in May. “There has never been a place more sensitive to others than right here. God is expecting you to do something great for him.”
Wiggins died in Winston-Salem, N.C. Funeral services will be Aug. 5.
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