On Saturday, 1st October, a statue of Nobel Laureate and Old Campbellian, Professor William (Bill) Campbell (3171), was unveiled in the town of his birth, Ramelton, Co.Donegal. Bill was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2015 for his pioneering work on developing an anti-parasitic drug for the treatment of River Blindness, which has saved the sight of millions of people in Africa.

To honour Professor Campbell’s work, The Ramelton Town Hall Development Committee, led by Mrs Jean Winston, decided to commission a statue of Bill to be placed in the middle of the town. Leading academic institutions, including The Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, universities, Donegal County Council and local businesses got involved to raise funds for the project. The Old Campbellian Society also offered support by setting up a fundraising campaign for the statue and the College matched the funds the Society raised.

The statue was created by Donegal-born sculptor Paul Ferriter who trained at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin and has created a large body of work.  Large crowds gathered in the town for the unveiling including Headmaster Robert Robinson, The OC Society Chairman Dermot Parker along with a group of OCs. The proceedings were compered by Dermot Scott (4532). Current students, Pipe Major Angus (Alden's) and brother Aaron, Drum Sergeant (Alden's), Year 14 students from the Campbell College Pipes and Drums, played at the opening ceremony. Additional music was performed by the Strabane Brass Band and specially commissioned musicians. A short clip of Angus and Aaron can be viewed below:

When Bill learned of the statue he was very surprised and commented that he thought statues were only made in honour of dead people! Bill was unable to attend the ceremony in person, although his two daughters and sister in law were in attendance. Bill joined the ceremony online via a large screen displayed by the statue.

“I’m very glad to be here because I have realised that you do me an incredible honour, this gesture of approval of my work. It is a gift, a gift of great generosity and great goodwill given by the people with whom I grew up and by the generations who followed and that makes the whole thing even more amazing”.

More information including video of the unveiling and photos of the statue can be found in the Donegal Daily News site. Information regarding Professor Campbell's pioneering work can be viewed at this review on the Drew University website. Photos from Professor Campbell's visit to the College in 2017 can be seen below (you must be logged in to see our photo gallery)