When Agricultural and Resource Economics Professor Ron Campbell took a job that involved chauffeuring children around town on Shetland ponies, he had no idea he would have to wear a Santa Claus suit.

This was the first time that Cambell had “performed” as Santa Claus. The year was 1965 and he was a broke college freshman who happened to come across a job that turned into a career.

Now Campbell barely has time to relax this December—he already has eight events scheduled for tomorrow, which include, “breakfast, brunch, and lunch.” He will also be appearing before the North Carolina governor and Supreme Court, as well as lighting “the best North Carolina Christmas tree” at the Capitol building. Mix 101.5 listeners can also tune in to his “Santa exploits” all day Monday as he visits the Boys and Girls club and Marbles Museum.

His act consists of bringing a canvas bag filled with jingle bells from reindeer sleighs, and handing them out to “children” to make music with them. As the music develops, he tells them the story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer in the best deep and jolly Santa voice that he can muster, which leads to the singing of Jingle Bells. At this point, he gets out his “storybook” and reads Twas the Night Before Christmas to his audience and finishes with verses from a song like Silent Night.

70 percent of the work Campbell performs as Santa is free as he often volunteers his time with non-profit organizations, churches and nursing homes. On Christmas Eve, Campbell goes to the homes of families who have had firemen or police officers die, often in the line of duty.

For the children of these families, “the grief is abated for just a few minutes,” Campbell said.

Campbell said what distinguishes him from other Santas is his voice.

“Believe it or not, many Santas cannot carry a tune,” Campbell said.

Campbell also puts effort into his appearance. His Santa belt cost $375, while his tailor made suit cost $1,150. Unlike many Santas, Campbell also has a real beard that he has dyed white to enhance his naturally gray hairs. What isn’t natural is the curliness of his beard, which requires curlers to give it that added bounce.

Campbell said he’s been growing his beard ever since age 20, when he was teaching high school seniors.

“I grew a goatee to look older than the seniors,” Campbell said.

In addition to his beard, Cambell said he pays attention to his diet, as well. During December and the months leading up to it, Campbell said he avoids eating tuna fish, onions, pepperoni and peanut butter because they will cause him to have bad breath.

“[As Santa] I can’t have any body odor or perspiration,” Campbell said.

Instead, he said he has to resort to eating cottage cheese, scrambled eggs and “bland” pancakes.

Campbell’s fans range from autistic children to the elderly with dementia. They really enjoy singing songs like O Little Town of Bethlehem and playing with the bells, Campbell said. Some children will even gently tug at Campbell’s beard, which he tells them glitters from “pixie dust” that had been sprinkled by the elves.

Campbell’s authenticity has also been witnessed by some of his graduate students.

Jenkins School of Management Graduate Student Lynn Clark said, “Non-believers [of Santa Claus] became believers” after Campbell visited Clark’s home last year.

Though in the classroom, Campbell tries to keep his two lives separate.

After witnessing Campbell outside of class dressed as Santa, Agriculture Business Management Senior Ashlyn Helms said, “It was so shocking to see him that first time.”

However to keep his agriculture business students entertained he produces videos over the summer, which call on them to analyze mock court cases. In one such video, The Case of the Cheatin’ Chocolatier, Campbell made a guest appearance as Santa Claus, where he hoarded “leftover” pieces of chocolate from a chocolate store and delivered them to nursing homes.

For Campbell, the best part about being Santa Claus is “the look in kids’ eyes.”

Though while he didn’t say there was a part he disliked, Campbell said it does get interesting when “parents push their children to see Santa.”

“For kids, just meeting Santa for the first time, it can be pretty traumatic,” Helms said.

As a result, Campbell is greeted with crying from what he calls “stranger apprehension,” which often occurs when children are 18 to 32 months old.

“[Overall though,] no Santa has as much fun as I do,” Campbell said, and to him being Santa is “more than just showing up and going, ‘Ho,ho,ho’.”