FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications, (304) 696-7153
 

William C. Campbell, insurance executive and golfing great,
to speak to Marshall community on March 7

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Huntington resident William C. Campbell, an insurance executive for nearly 60 years, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and the only person ever to have headed both governing bodies of the game of golf, will speak at Marshall University next week.

“A Chat with Bill Campbell” will take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 7 in the Alumni Lounge on the second floor of the Memorial Student Center on Marshall’s Huntington campus. Members of the Marshall University community are invited to attend.

Steve Hensley, Marshall’s dean of student affairs, said he believes those who attend will benefit from hearing Campbell discuss his experience in leadership and the challenges young people face today.

“I hope after the discussion with Mr. Campbell that our students will be more motivated to seek their own path toward outstanding accomplishments,” Hensley said. “I have always admired Mr. Campbell not only for his accomplishments, but for the dignity and humility he has displayed throughout his life. I believe he will be a true inspiration to our students, faculty and anyone else who attends.”

Campbell, who was born on May 5, 1923 in Huntington, enjoyed a phenomenal career as an amateur golfer. He won the West Virginia Amateur 15 times; competed in 37 U.S. Amateurs, 15 U.S. Opens and 18 Masters; won the West Virginia Open three times, won the U.S. Senior Amateur championship twice and won the U.S. Amateur once.

He served as president of the U.S. Golf Association from 1982 through 1984, and was captain of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in 1987 and 1988.

Campbell’s civic leadership includes terms as president of the Huntington Chamber of Commerce, the Huntington YMCA and the Marshall University Foundation, Inc. He also was chairman of the Marshall University Advisory Board and a member of the Cammack Children’s Center board of directors. Campbell also is a past president of the Central Ohio Valley Industrial Council and past regional vice president of the Ohio Valley Improvement Association.

He served in combat in World War II with the 100^th Infantry Division, rising in rank to Captain. Campbell was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and three Battle Stars. He began his college career in 1941 at Princeton University, took a 3 1/2-year break to serve in the military, then returned to Princeton and graduated in 1947. Campbell has been with John Hancock Life Companies since, and is a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table.

Campbell was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1990. He still works at his office in Huntington and tours the world as a speaker and champion of golf.

Anyone interested in attending “A Chat with Bill Campbell” is asked to call Hensley at (304) 696-6423.

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