CPHS operations manager earns Cherished Camel Award

Lee Holquist, operations manager and assistant to the dean for the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, was given the Cherished Camel Award this month for her role in planning and helping execute the investiture ceremony of Campbell's sixth president, Dr. William M. Downs.

Downs was on hand to present the award to Holquist, who joined the CPHS team in 2013.

Holquist was nominated by Dean Dr. Jeff Mercer, who said Holquist accepted the extra duties involved in the ceremony willingly ("and performed it admirably"), while also managing her "numerous tasks and deadlines during one of the busiest periods of the year at CPHS."

"Lee works exceptionally well with others and is often one of the first people colleagues turn to when they need help," Mercer said. "These requests frequently come when she is already busy and before others have fully worked through a solution on their own, yet she never seems thrown off by the interruption. Instead of pushing back, she takes the time to understand what is needed and how she can best support them."

Mercer called her "consistently persistent and unerringly professional."

"She makes Campbell a much better place to work for everyone who has the opportunity to interact with her," he said.

The Cherished Camel Award was launched in 2025 by Downs to regularly honor Campbell staff for exceptional performance, daily dedication and initiative. Each recipient receives a $100 gift card, a certificate, and perhaps most importantly, campus-wide recognition for their contributions.