2022 Award Recipients
Julie Adams, ’01
LTG Kevin Vereen, ’88
Danny Watkins, ’77, ’80
Julie Adams, ’01
Julie Kerr Adams is a 2001 graduate of Campbell University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science before receiving her Juris Doctor from the School of Law at Wake Forest University. She has gone on to receive admittance for both the federal and state bars of North Carolina and South Carolina where she passionately practices law and serves her surrounding communities.
Adams has demonstrated excellence through an exemplary legal career at some of the top national and international employment law firms in the world. She served as an associate and counsel member for Little Mendelson for more than a decade before co-founding a FordHarrison office in Charlotte, NC as partner. There, she helped lead FordHarrison’s Coronavirus & CARES Act Taskforce before transitioning into an in-house leadership position with Novant Health as director and assistant general counsel.
Adams is widely recognized for her involvement in the community on both a legal and personal level. She has proudly served as the vice president of the statewide North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys and on the Board of Directors for the Charlotte Women’s Bar. Adams frequently organizes seminars and legal events, and provides training to other lawyers. She has a rich history of pro bono work in a variety of capacities, and speaks at various service organizations.
Adams regularly receives annual attorney accolades including U.S. News & World Report’s Best Lawyers, Thompson Reuters’ Super Lawyers and Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite. In 2013, she was named distinguished alumnus of the Campbell University Political Science Department for her incredible accomplishments and dedication to leading with purpose.
Lieutenant General Kevin Vereen, ’88
Lieutenant General Kevin Vereen graduated from Campbell University in 1988 where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army where he has dedicated 34-years in service to the country and has exemplified what “leading with purpose” means.
During his career, LTG Vereen has served across the country and globe in a variety of notable positions that included: commandant of the Military Police Regiment, the Army’s provost marshal general, commander of U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command and commanding general of U.S. Army Recruiting Command. Most recently, he was selected to serve as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Army G-9, at the Pentagon. In this role he will oversee matters regarding army installation management that include: housing, military construction and infrastructure investment, childcare, energy and water security, resilience and sustainability, installation environmental management and stewardship, and a variety of other installation areas of concern.
LTG Vereen’s military awards include: the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal.
LTG Vereen earned a master’s degree in International Relations from Troy State University as well as a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. In addition to his accomplished career, LTG Vereen is married to his wife, Monica Coachman Vereen and is the father of four children, one of whom is a Campbell alumnus.
Danny Watkins, ’77, ’80
Danny Watkins graduated from Campbell University in 1977 where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Education in 1980. Since graduating, he has dedicated 45 years of service to the North Carolina education system, providing outstanding leadership and an ambition to lead with purpose in all areas of life.
Watkins began his influential career at Friendship Christian School where he taught various course levels of history and worked as the summer camp director for more than a decade. He went on to accept a position as the chair of the History Department at North Raleigh Christian Academy as well as become a dual enrollment instructor at the College of Southeastern Seminary.
Watkins’s hard work and heart to serve led to his advancement as the North Raleigh Christian Academy High School principal and assistant superintendent, which he held until his retirement. While in this position, he led his high school staff in spiritual formation, developed staff retreats and directed professional development. In 2020, he became a Colson Fellow with a concentration in spiritual formation and community engagement to further his spiritual influence.
Watkins’ distinguished career has been stamped with many awards including the highest form of acknowledgement from the North Raleigh Christian Academy, the Founder’s Award. In addition, he was named Wake County Administrator of the Year (2020) from WRAL and was honored with the My Favorite Teacher Award (2013) from Barnes and Noble.
Watkins and his wife, Karen Watkins, have traveled to 22 countries, and are active members of Rolesville Baptist Church.