FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2023
For more information:
Alison Harrison, Marketing and Communications Director
James Parnell, Scout Executive
VIRGINIA BEACH SCOUT LEADER BILL CAMPBELL RECEIVES OUTSTANDING EAGLE SCOUT AWARD
Virginia Beach, Va. – Bill Campbell, a member of the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout class of 1957, will be honored as a recipient of the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award by Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America.
Bill has always tried to abide by the principles he learned as a member of Troop 72 in Yazoo City, Mississippi. Lettering in football in high school and at Phillips Exeter Academy, he then became an art major and Morehead Scholar at UNC Chapel Hill. He served as Chairman of the Student Union and developed an interest in copywriting there.
Graduating from Northwestern University with an MS in Advertising, he began his career in Chicago. After marrying his college sweetheart, he moved south, becoming Creative Director of Lawler Ballard Advertising – Norfolk.
He co-founded Barker Campbell & Farley Advertising in 1980, which grew to be the region’s largest agency for many years. He won over 200 advertising creative awards while helping launch the careers of many others in the field.
When his sons began their path to Eagle, Campbell rejoined Scouting as a Troop 378 Committee Member, Philmont trek leader, and Council Marketing Committee Chair. He has remained a strong supporter of the Tidewater Council.
Other community service includes serving as Chairman of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art and a board member of the Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic Foundation, Virginia Beach SPCA, Virginia Beach Art Center, and other organizations. He has become an award-winning local artist in retirement and lives with his wife, Meg, in Virginia Beach.
Bill will receive the award at the Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America council recognition banquet at the Khedive Shrine Center in Chesapeake on May 11, 2023. He will recognized alongside fellow NOESA recipients Cutch Armstrong and John Scheib.
About the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award
The National Eagle Scout Association established the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award during the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th Anniversary celebration in 2010. Popularly known by its acronym, “NOESA,” this award recognizes Eagle Scouts notable for their local, state, regional, or national distinguished service.
NOESA recipients have inspired others through their positive actions reflected by recognized accomplishments and devotion to their community, profession, avocation, and beliefs. Previous recipients include authors, explorers, scientists, physicians, military officers, judges, attorneys, government officials, community leaders, media personalities, entrepreneurs, and prominent businesspeople. Each recipient’s record of service and accomplishments elevates the public stature and reputation of Eagle Scouts.
About the National Eagle Scout Association
The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) is an organization of individuals who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. NESA’s objective is “to serve Eagle Scouts and, through them, the entire movement of Scouting.” NESA administers several scholarships for Eagle Scouts, both academic merit and need-based.
About Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America
Tidewater Council is the 5th oldest Boy Scouts of America council in the United States, established in 1911. Today, the council serves approximately 4,000 youth and 2,000 adult volunteers in the Virginia cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, and the North Carolina counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans. Information about Tidewater Council is available by visiting TidewaterBSA.com, emailing james.parnell@scouting.org, or calling 757-497-2688.
About the Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is one of the nation’s foremost youth programs of character development and values-based leadership training. Since its inception in 1910, more than 130 million young men and women have participated in the BSA’s youth programs. More than 35 million adult volunteers have helped carry out the BSA’s mission.
BSA programs serve boys and girls ages five through 20, and their families, with age-appropriate curriculums that develop character, citizenship, leadership, and personal fitness.
More information about the Boy Scouts of America is available by visiting scouting.org.
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