Campbell University - Pine Burr Yearbook (Buies Creek, NC)

Page 14 text:

The Crest, continued Diarmid O ' Duibhne and the Boar of Caledon. A sword proper with hilt and rounded knob is seen to the left. Two guarding lions of tinctured red complete the Arms save for the mottoes. (This is the Coat of Arms of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan. An adaptation of this for the Campbell College seal is now in progress.) Mottoes Above the shield of the Campbell armorial bearings is inscribed A ' e oblii ' is caris — Forget not. Below that shield are the words Vix ea nostra voco — I scarcely call all this my own. The ascendant motto, whatever its origins in antiquity, serves as re- minder of remembered history as the clue to personal, family, or institu- tional identity. We stand on the shoulders of the past. We know who we are as persons only as we forget not those persons and events shaping us in our more immediate arena of experience as well as the so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us in the larger sweep of history. To remem- ber is to be, psychologists, philosophers and theologians alike remind us. . . . And so the ancient Scottish clan knew its identity by fact of proud heritage remembered. Renewed for present struggle, it pressed toward future prospect and continued glory. The one of Scottish lineage whom we honor, Leslie Campbell, is one who values the backward look as a re- minder of present possibility and future hope. Looking to the rock from whence he was hewn has endowed him with sturdy qualities and steadfast purpose, giving heritage and hope to individual and institution alike that he has served. As for the second motto of Clan Campbell, it originated about 1528 wiien Colin Campbell, third Earl of Argyll, was created hereditary Lord Justice-General and Master of the Royal Household in Scotland. Added to the insignia of these great offices was the motto I scarcely call all this my own. Perhaps this Scotsman of yesteryear remembered the Biblical reminder To wliom nnich is given much shall be required. To possess a legacy of trust, responsibility, and heritage is not to hoard it but to use it, to build upon it. This, our later Campbell has remembered. In quiet but determined pursuit of distant goals he has taken a well-laid but modest foundation from his father ' s striving and built well upon it, and has in turn realized more fully the meaning of the college ' s motto Ad astra per aspera. As our President retires there is no arrogant boast, See the work of my mind and hand. Rather, I scarcely call all this my own. 10

Page 13 text:

The Crest In Scotland, with its division into great tribal communities, armorial bearings are essential in authenticating genealogies and distinguishing the various branches of a widely extended clan. In the absence of heral- dry how could the endless diversity of these widespread families be under- stood? In full dress, the Highlander is covered with heraldry. From cap-badge and eagle-plume to kilt-pin there are displayed heraldric sym- bols appropriate to the wearer ' s rank and position in the clan. As a system of identification, the science of armory or heraldry was evolved in the twelfth century (approximate to the first appearance of the name Campbell in 1216.) Leaders adopted simple and outstanding figures, painting them on shields and banners so that their followers might recognize them in battle. These devices inscribed on the shirt worn over the armor gave rise to the term coat of arms. In Scotland the saffron shirt of war or leine croich bore the heraldric objects, as did a small shield in other cases. Armorial bearings became hereditary in the second genera- tion, having been initially a personal mark of identification. In peace a banner above the house or arms carved upon it indicated the owner. Within, over the great fireplace (the hearth of the race), shield, helmet, and crest were hung. Later a carved heraldric achievement representing these ancient accouterments became a more permanent orna- ment. Beside the chief ' s fireplace sat his chair, with the arms carved on its back. This was passed on with other furniture of the Hall as heir- ship moveables. The nature and position of those who first used these arms made them marks of nobility. A grant, or confirmation of arms, to the Representer of a clan or family made it an honourable community of the realm of Scotland composed of daoine-ussail, the hereditary gentlemen of the clan. Heraldric description of the armorial bearings (crest) of Campbell of Lochow, Duke of Argyll, includes a range of picturesque and indicative features. The shield displaying the arms is the most important item. With it divided into four sections, the first and fourth quarters contain a gyrony of eight for the name Campbell. The second and third sections are for the Lordship of Lorn. Behind the shield in an auspicious position is the imperial crown; upon that is the crest of Scotland, marking the bearer as hereditary Master of the Royal Household. The boar ' s head crest atop the crown is relatable to either of two traditions. Sir Duncan Campbell in the fourteenth century is known to have visited France, where he slew a wild boar. Another tradition refers the crest ' s origin to the old tale of

Page 15 text:

Looking Back As Moses stood on Mount Pisgah viewing the Land of Promise to which God had led his people through many trials, what memories must have swept across the mind ' s eye! These memories must have assuaged any sense of sadness that he was not to cross over to that land ' s final conquest. The backward look of reflection gave meaning to the moment as he looked across Jordan to the land awaiting final conquest. Past victories gave strong hope for future triumph. This was not the moment of his end, but a summing up of life ' s investment towards its past, present, and future return. So it must be with President Campbell as he draws from the past to find great satisfaction in the present and strong hope for the future of Campbell College — the marrow and blood of his life. As he stands at this pinnacle there stretches before him an educational landscape of achieve- ment and promise. As the college motto reminds us, this attainment has not come without valiant struggle — Ad astra per aspera — To the stars through difficulty. Across the mind ' s eye of this tireless leader must move the memory of . . . Graduation from Wake Forest College in 1911 to return to serve as teacher in the school and community which were home. A smile must cross his face as he remembers a faculty member at Wake Forest who warned him and brother Carlyle against taking a position at Buie ' s Creek Academy. Now, boys, the teacher said, let me give you some advice. Your father will want you to come back to the school and settle down there and teach. If you do you ' ll never be anything but Leslie and Carlyle all your lives. In retrospect perhaps being Leslie was enough for the leadership of a growing educational institution. The years of the classroom where English was not alone a subject but a worthy goal for the truly educated person. The role of dean in the decade prior to his father ' s death during which he gained invaluable experience in the varied responsibilities of adminis- tration. The transition from academy to funior college — the crucial implemen- tation of the farsighted decision of the founder which was entrusted to the young dean and his associates. The years of crisis marked by the critical illness and death of the foun- der and the succession to the presidency. These were the Wilderness Years when the Great Depression of the Thirties was tragically evident in 11