Rev. Dr. Camille Ogle Yorkey D ’85 Receives Distinguished Alumni Award
October 2, 2007
The Rev. Dr. Camille Ogle Yorkey M.Div. ’85, a United Methodist pastor who served as a chaplain at Ground Zero in New York City following the 9-11 attacks, is the recipient of Duke Divinity School’s 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award.
Yorkey, who lives in Raleigh and Wilmington, N.C., has a long history of service to the church, the Divinity School and numerous organizations, including the American Red Cross, that care for those in need.
“Camille has worked tirelessly for decades to teach, comfort and lead in many different capacities,” said Wes Brown, the Divinity School’s associate dean for external relations. “Her unfailing service to the Divinity School, to the Church of Jesus Christ and to communities that have needed her in good times and bad is truly inspirational.”
The award will be presented at the Divinity School’s annual alumni luncheon on Oct. 8.
Yorkey’s broad counseling experience – including work as Durham County director of volunteers for the American Red Cross, chaplain at Baptist Hospital, licensed nursing home administrator and director of pastoral care for Disaster Ministries – helped prepare her for the task at Ground Zero. Her journal and book, titled “A Voice in the Wilderness,” detail her experiences following 9-11.
Born in San Francisco in 1946, Yorkey studied at the University of Paris and the American College in Paris, France, receiving a B.A. from Greensboro College in 1968. Before earning her Duke degree in 1985 she was a public school teacher and the executive director of the Mental Health Association in Durham County.
Ordained by the United Methodist Church in 1983, Yorkey served as associate pastor of St. Paul UMC in Goldsboro before becoming the founding pastor of three new churches in the North Carolina Conference: Seaside UMC, Sunset Beach; Harbor UMC, Wilmington; and Mighty Wind UMC, Nags Head. Her most recent parish assignment was as senior pastor of Benson Memorial UMC in Raleigh.
Yorkey, who previously received the Alumni of Distinction Award from Greensboro College, has served as president of the Duke Divinity School Alumni Association, and she was a trustee of Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C.
She is a sought after preacher, lecturer and trainer, addressing colleges, universities, other annual conferences and churches nationwide. She also founded and was the executive director of Hope in the Wilderness Ministry.
In May 2007 she received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Greensboro College for her lifetime ministry, accomplishments and service. At the North Carolina Annual Conference in June 2007, Yorkey received the Harry Denman Award for Evangelism.
Yorkey, who sings in the Grace UMC choir, is married to Steve Compton, who is the Executive Director of Congregational Development. They have four grown children and five grandchildren.
Established in 1973, the Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes graduates of the Divinity School for service to God, the church and the community.