Student: Matthew Campbell
From a starting cadet class of 50 in 2015, senior Matthew Campbell is one of the remaining five.
Campbell is the Cadet Vice Wing Commander, or second in command of the entire cadet wing, in the East Carolina University Air Force ROTC program. He is majoring in communication with a concentration in public relations.
Being a leader doesn’t come easily, but Campbell has put forth a tremendous amount of effort through the years and has won a scholarship every academic year from the Air Force.
Matthew Campbell, the Cadet Vice Wing Commander in the ECU AFROTC program, takes a look at the painted shields the cadets paint each year.
Those scholarships are the Capt. Christopher Cash Scholarship, the High Flight Spirit Scholarship and Major General (Retired) William “Dutch” and Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Norma Holland Scholarship.
Being a part of the military has been at the forefront of Campbell’s career plans for a while now.
“Ever since I was a freshman in high school there was something that stuck out about the military to me,” Campbell said.
Campbell not only has succeeded in the Air Force ROTC program, but also in the classroom. He carries a 3.9 GPA and was on the dean’s list from fall 2015 to fall 2016 and has been on the chancellor’s list since spring 2017.
“In the classroom, you could not ask for a better student,” said communication teaching instructor Brittany Thompson.
Campbell said being in the public relations program has really helped his public speaking skills to use in the Air Force.
“I’ve loved every single second here, whether it be the professors or the Air Force,” Campbell said.
After Campbell graduates, he will work as a munitions and missile maintenance officer and hopes to travel oversees to Italy.
Your words to live by: “Your comfort zone will kill you.”
What advice do you have for other students?:
During your time in college, do not look at class as a chore. As you progress through your degree, build relationships with your instructors, especially the ones who challenge you to be better in everything you do. Participate in class, pay attention, and stay off your phone; some students do not realize how disrespectful it is when you’re staring at your phone the entire class period. You are paying for your education and to not fully participate in class and get the most out of college is simply cheating yourself.
What is something cool about ECU that you wish you knew during your first year?:
Build relationships; I can’t stress this enough. Most students are too timid to stand out in front of the class their freshman year, but standing out is simply putting forth your best effort to demonstrate that you are a good student. Build relationships with other students as well. Many students in your freshman classes will follow you through to your senior year, so instead of sitting down in class and being an introvert, be an extrovert and introduce yourself to others. Your peers will be able to help you throughout your journey here at ECU.
STATISTICS
College: College of Fine Arts and Communication
Major: Communication with a concentration in public relations
Age: 21
Classification/Year: Senior
Hometown: Shelby
Hobbies/interests: Lifting weights, swimming, reading, volunteer work, listening to music
Clubs and Organizations: Air Force ROTC (2015 – present) Club Swim (2015 – 2016)
FAVORITES
Favorite hangout: Carolina Ale House
Favorite place on campus: Student Recreation Center
Favorite place to eat: Panda Express (Subway for the interim)
Favorite class: Public Relations Strategies with Dr. Jin-Ae Kang
Favorite TV show: N/A (Do not watch much TV, except for the news)
Favorite band/musician: Florida Georgia Line
Favorite movie: “Saving Private Ryan”
Favorite website: www.military.com
MOTIVATIONS
Dream job: 21M munitions/missile maintenance (I’ve recently discovered that this will be my career)
Role models: Lt Col April Wimmer, Maj Korey Silknitter, and Capt Matthew Carrowan
Professor who influenced you the most: Professor Brittany Thompson
The one thing you cannot live without: Working out