Brian Freeman...4 UNCP Today Fall 2004 In his first year teaching, Tommy O’Briant “Brian” Freeman II was teacher of the year for Oxendine Elementary School. In his second year,

FALL 2004

for alumni and friends of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Brian Freeman page 3

Lumbee Hall Fund page 12

To join this elite group of philanthropists and faithful UNCP supporters and to learn how you may be eligible for a “New Generation” membership, please contact the Office of Donor Relations locally at (910) 521-6213 or long distance at 1-800-949-8627 extension 6213, or e-mail [email protected].

IInnddiivviidduuaallssJohn I. Adams

Leroy & Jackie AdamsRobert W. AntoneWilliam E. Antone

James & Jennifer AyarsHarriett C. Dial Baker

Martha BaldwinMarion F. Bass

Martha H. BeachRandall & Robin Beard

Cherry BeasleyCharles Beasley

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Tommy O. FreemanMelvin E. Gardner Jr.

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James A. ThomasGeorge R. WalterSandra WaterkotteW. Barry WatkinsDavid F. Weinstein

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Delta Dental Plan of N.C.Eagle Distributing Co.

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Zeta Beta Sigma Chapter

Chancellor’s Club MembershipChancellor Allen C. Meadors and the UNCP Foundation Inc. recognize members of the 2004 Chancellor’s Club and thank them for their continued support of the students,

faculty, staff and educational programming at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

The Chancellor’s Club is UNCP’s elite giving society of donors making annual gifts of $1,000 and above to the University.

Cover Story

Brian Freeman

Faculty/Staff News

University News

Braves Athletics

Advancement

Alumni Notes

Fall 2004 UNCP Today 1

UNCP TodayFall 2004

EditorAmber Rach

News WriterScott Bigelow

PhotographerBobby Ayers

DesignLawrence LocklearAmber Rach

Class NotesLorna Ricotta

Contributing WriterSteven Byrd

Vice Chancellor, University and CommunityRelationsGlen G. Burnette Jr., Ed.D.

UNCP Today magazine is published three times ayear for alumni and friends of the University by theDivision for University and Community Relations.17,500 copies were printed on recycled paper at a cost of .74 cents each. UNCP is a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina.

Editorial OfficesUNCP TodayUniversity and Community RelationsP.O. Box 1510Pembroke, NC 28372-1510tel: (910) 521-6249email: [email protected]: www.uncp.edu/relations

Class NotesOffice of Alumni RelationsP.O. Box 1510Pembroke, NC 28372-1510tel: (910) 521-6533email: [email protected]: www.uncp.edu/alumni

UNCP Web Sitewww.uncp.edu

ChancellorAllen C. Meadors, Ph.D., FACHE

Board of TrusteesCarl Meares Jr., Chair

On the coverBrian Freeman, one ofAmerica’s best teachers,talks about his dedicationto educating children.

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for alumni and friends of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke

inside

Marion BassJ. Breeden BlackwellBecky BullardSybil BullardSybil Lowry CollinsH.Thomas Jones II

Arlinda LocklearGervais OxendineFreda PorterSherry Dew PrinceRichard TaylorVenessa N. Jones, SGA

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2 UNCP Today Fall 2004

Alumni, Donors and FriendsThe University of North Carolina atPembroke is burgeoning with successes on a national level, making us a premier regionaluniversity. While writing this address to you —UNCP’s alumni, donors and friends — I receivedword that U.S. News & World Report ranked UNCP as one of America’s best universities in four categories of its 2005 edition of “America’sBest Colleges.” Another national nod was given to UNC Pembroke when we were selected as one of only four universities in the nation to join an American Association of State Colleges and

Universities program funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to promote anintegrated approach to engagement for universities and their surrounding communities (see story on page 8).

UNC Pembroke recently completed its first video marketing piece to feature its academic excellence and economic impact to worldwide audiences.The 11-minute video’s audio was translated into Spanish and Chinese and hasreceived much acclaim. This video, featuring Senator Elizabeth Dole, UNCPresident Molly Broad, state Senator David Weinstein, others and myself, may be viewed at UNCP’s Web site at www.uncp.edu.

As the University continues to grow its enrollment, beautify its campus and gain more national attention, its core mission will remain unchanged.UNCP will always be a campus with an unyielding commitment to studentsand the pursuit of knowledge, and will create a better world by educating futureleaders. UNC Pembroke will celebrate and honor its diversity and continue tomake stronger partnerships within the Town of Pembroke and its surroundingcommunities. In essence, UNC Pembroke demonstrates academic excellenceand serves the citizens of its region as a resource for economic and professionalgrowth.

Alumni are UNC Pembroke’s most valuable assets. You represent a set of possibilities for the future and a tie to the University’s traditions — its past, its culture, its life — and its evolution. We welcome your active participa-tion on the campus of your alma mater. Please plan now to attend an athleticor GPAC event, and gather old college friends together for a visit to campusduring Homecoming weekend in February 2005!

Allen C. Meadors, Ph.D., FACHEChancellor

Chancellor’s Message

Allen C. Meadors


BrianFreemanHis story begins on page 4.


In his first year teaching, Tommy O’Briant “Brian” Freeman II was teacher of the year for OxendineElementary School. In his second year, he was named teacher of the year for thePublic Schools of Robeson County.

He has won many awards since then,including the 2003 National EducationAssociation (NEA) Teacher of the YearAward. He is, as one of his students putsit, “the boss with the hot sauce.”

The 1992 UNCP graduate had theopportunity to demonstrate his skills askeynote speaker at the 2004 Convocationon Sept. 1. Now the entire Universityunderstands why he is one of America’sbest teachers.

Freeman told an audience of 800 thathe was not always a teacher. As a broad-casting major at UNCP, “I could alreadysee my name in lights. I was confident Iwas destined to be the next Dan Rather or the male version of Oprah Winfrey.”

The only highlight of Freeman’s broad-casting career was a “world record for themost rejection letters,” he said. It was themedia’s loss.

A substitute teaching job was a way to pay bills at first, but a five-week stintin the fourth grade changed Freeman’slife.

“After meeting that class, I wondered ifthe teacher wasn’t taking a much-neededvacation,” he said. “I guess it was fair tosay they taught me more in the first weekthan I taught them.”

The class of 29 students was crammed“wall to wall” into a singlewide trailer. Asthe days went by, something just clicked.

“There was something I liked aboutthese children. I became attached to them,and they started to learn a little,” he said.“I dumped thousands of worksheets intothe trash and relied on my creativity andinnovation to inspire these students.”

Two things happened during Freeman’sencounter with the fourth grade that hookedhim for life. The first was a lesson about therelationship between fun and learning.

“One girl named Kayla said, ‘Mr.Freeman, I am going to quit school if Ihave to write my multiplication facts onemore time’,” Freeman said. “That was thebeginning of the multiplication train.”

The multiplication train was a combina-tion multiplication rap and the opportunityto ride the “Soul Train” if a studentanswered his or her questions correctly.

“The children were so excited and moti-vated to learn, so I tried other things,” hesaid. “The children didn’t even know theywere learning.”

Freeman’s creativity in the classroom islegendary. As part of lesson plans, he hasportrayed a full cast of characters, includ-ing Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother,the Hamburglar and the Nutty Professor.

Before becoming a teacher, Freemanwas creative, intelligent and charismatic,but teaching made him feel good. The second lesson he learned in the fourthgrade was even more powerful.

“We had one student in the class namedIsaiah (not his real name). I’m pretty surehis name came from the other place, notthe Bible, but I made friends with him,”Freeman said. “On the last day of substi-

tuting in the class, Isaiah told me, ‘I don’twant you to go because people don’t treatme as smart as you do.’

“This special moment and touchingstatement left an enduring impression onme,” he added. “I no longer had to star ina more important adventure than in theclassroom, which has become a lifelongventure for me.”

Freeman said he left that classroom andcame to UNCP for teacher certification.

“Yes, I had plans for my life, but I didn’tknow what life had planned for me,” hetold the Convocation audience. “Whenyou choose a career, or a career choosesyou, you must be passionate about it; it must be a calling.

“I am a successful educator today becauseof my passion and the great experience I had at UNCP,” he added. “Remember, you must first be a successful student inorder to be a successful alumni!”

A second-grade teacher at PetersonElementary School in Red Springs,Freeman spoke at length about the positive influence UNCP had on him as an undergraduate student, a graduatestudent and as an alumnus.

Since receiving the NEA award,Freeman has traveled 20,000 miles toshare his message. There has also beentime to reflect on many things, such as the nature of humility.

“Students taught me to be a teacher,” he said.

“When you teach second grade, the honesty of a 7-year-old really keeps youstraight,” Freeman added. “Not every lesson works, and no matter how goodyou think you are, you can always be better.”

Brian Freeman Makes the Grade in

A a m B b C c D d E e J F f L G g H h N I i J j K k L l M

“After meeting that class, I wondered if the teacher wasn’t taking a much-neededvacation,” he said. “I guess itwas fair to say they taught memore in the first week than I taught them.”

“One girl named Kayla said, ‘Mr. Freeman, I am going to quitschool if I have to write my multiplication facts one more time’,”Freeman said. “That was the beginning of the multiplicationtrain.”

For the future, “Teaching is what I wantto do,” he said. “I am working on a bookright now.”

The next step for Freeman is to put allhis creative energy and all his incredibletalent for teaching into a manual that willinspire other teachers. This project is partof the growing Freeman legacy.

His legacy looms large with his studentsat Peterson Elementary School. Freemannever misses his students’ Little Leaguebaseball games, and he visits every studentduring the summer, “just to see how they are doing and if they need anything.”

In Red Springs, Freeman is leaving his mark as an elected town commission-er. At UNCP, he stays involved throughalumni activities and through giving. He recently established the Brian FreemanEndowed Scholarship for TeachingExcellence.

“I am the first teacher from NorthCarolina to win the NEA TeachingExcellence Award and the first UNCP graduate to win it,” he said. “But I am also proud of this scholarship because it will help others get into the teaching profession.” ■

Education

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“On the last day of substituting in the class,Isaiah told me, ‘I don’t wantyou to go because peopledon’t treat me as smart asyou do.’

“This special moment andtouching statement left anenduring impression on me. I no longer had to star in amore important adventurethan in the classroom, whichhas become a lifelong venturefor me.”

You are widely praised for makinglearning fun for children. Describeyour classroom style for our readers.I will do whatever it takes to motivate my students to learn,even if this means dressing up as a silly character to teach a lesson.Sometimes I turn a lesson into a rapsong and will dance on top of adesk to get my students’ attention.I take textbook lessons and work-sheets and design hands-on gamesthat students enjoy playing. Besideshaving fun, I want my students toexperience three emotions whenthey enter my class: happiness, loveand the wish to learn.

You choose to teach in low-wealthschools. What challenges does thisenvironment present?I chose to teach in my communitybecause I saw a need to make a difference at home. Rural schoolsrepresent almost half the total pub-lic school population, yet we receiveonly 20 percent of federal funding.My students have many obstacles intheir lives, but I won’t let educationbe an obstacle for them. Ratherthan allowing them to be impover-ished by their environment, I teachthem to be empowered by theirexperiences.The most valuable lesson is teaching my students that despite their race or economicstatus, they should love learning andlove themselves.

Will you remain in the classroom?There’s nothing greater than being ateacher. I will always be involved inpublic education in some form. I amhappy now with my career and haveno immediate plans to leave theclassroom. As I grow older, I do seethe importance of being an effectiveteacher-leader. I hope I can use myexperiences and leadership in thefuture to influence change and tohelp educate our legislators and policy makers about what we needto make great teachers and greatpublic schools for every child!

You said you have a book inprogress. Can you share a littleabout this project?I believe it is the responsibility ofteacher-leaders to mentor and tosupport young folks who are con-sidering a teaching career. My bookwill share my experiences andaward-winning lessons/units of studywith educators. I want my book’sreaders to be inspired, but to havereal, practical and useful lessons andideas they can take back to theirclassrooms.The goal of my book isto inspire teachers to motivate stu-dents to learn and increase studentachievement.


Q & A

Q & A

Freeman presents his check to establish his endowed scholarship.

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Artist Tarleton Blackwellinvited to the White House

Art ProfessorTarleton Blackwellwas invited to the WhiteHouse on May 17 as theguest of first lady LauraBush to be honored for hisparticipation in the Art inEmbassies program.

It is the program’s 40thanniversary, and Blackwell,the Martha Beach EndowedChair in Art, was also theguest of Secretary of StateColin Powell at a StateDepartment reception.

President George W. Bush praised the program forspreading American ideals and values around the globe.

“This outstanding program places the art of hundreds of American artists into our embassies around the world,”President Bush said. “These works communicate the valuesand diversity of the people of the United States, as well as the aspirations and hope common to all people.”

Howard Franklin Jeter, U.S. ambassador to Nigeria,requested Blackwell’s life-size group portrait titled “The Unity Series II: Sisterhood.” It is a large oil-on-canvas painting that was displayed in the ambassador’s residencein Lagos, Nigeria from 2001 to 2003.

“Unity Series II” represents young girls dressed in costumes symbolizing four Pan-Hellenic sororities in the setting of the historic Mann-Simons Cottage Museumof African-American Culture in Columbia, S.C.

This summer, Professor Blackwell’s works were on display at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and on anational tour titled “Thinking with Blood: Conflict andCulture in the American South.” The exhibition was inAsheville, N.C., for three months ending June 20.

The exhibition encompassed three decades of contempo-rary American art that explored issues of identity, racismand Southern stereotypes. The tour was in New York City at the Dorsky Gallery, July 5 through August 30.

A Manning, S.C., native, Blackwell joined the faculty atUNCP in 2003 and teaches painting.

Faculty/Staff News

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Dr. Patricia Valenti’s newestbook on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s wifeshatters long-held beliefs about theauthor and the woman who profound-ly influenced his life and art.

Dr. Valenti’s book, “Sophia PeabodyHawthorne: A Life, Volume 1, 1809-1847,” holds the lives of Hawthorne and his wife up to the light of modern scholarship.

Dr. Valenti has studied Hawthorneand his family for most of her academ-ic career. In her second book on thefirst family of American literature, sheoffers fresh insight into the private sideof the author’s life.

An English professor and coordina-tor of the graduate program in EnglishEducation, Dr. Valenti is an outstand-ing scholar and teacher, winning the2004 UNC Board of Governors Award

for Excellence in Teaching. She has been on the faculty since1984.

In “Sophia Peabody Hawthorne,” Dr. Valenti places the storyof Sophia’s life within its own context and within the context ofher marriage. Dr. Valenti begins the book with parallel biogra-phies of Sophia and Nathaniel at comparable periods in theirlives.

Volume I of Dr. Valenti’s biography concludes with the birthof their second child. The book also offers fresh interpretationsof Nathaniel Hawthorne’s fiction, examining it through the fil-ter of Sophia’s personality. Students and scholars of Americanliterature, literary theory, feminism and cultural history willfind much to enrich their understanding of this woman and the era.

“Sophia Peabody Hawthorne: A Life, Volume 1, 1809-1847”(0-8262-1528-9, $44.95 cloth) is available at local bookstoresor directly from the University of Missouri Press. Individualsplacing orders should include $4 shipping and handling for thefirst book and $1 for each additional book. For further infor-mation, contact Beth Chandler, University of Missouri Press,2910 LeMone Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65201.

Dr.Valenti presents the firstbiography of Sophia Hawthorne

David C. Girardot has supervisedconstruction projects around the globe.His next challenge is to supervise thebiggest construction boom in the historyof the University.

Girardot is the new assistant vicechancellor for facilities management. In this newly created post, he will super-vise the offices of Facilities, Planning andConstruction and the Physical Plant.

Girardot served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 23years, including assignments in Vietnam, South Korea, Libya,Ecuador and the United States. Among other posts, he served assenior Army adviser to the Mississippi National Guard, deputycommander and commander of facilities engineering in SouthKorea and as deputy commander and commander of theWaterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, Miss.

After leaving the Army, Girardot supervised construction and maintenance for 16 years at three universities, including UNC Wilmington. At UNCW, he was assistant vice chancellor for business affairs — facilities and was responsible for the planning, design and construction of $200 million in projects.

The University has more than $40 million in construction projects going on today, Girardot said.

“When you consider that our available staff at Facilities,Planning and Construction is only five people, that is a lot of construction,” he said. “The enrollment growth at UNCP has been so rapid that construction is just now catching up.”

Girardot said new construction and renovation work at UNCP is both challenging and rewarding.

“My job is all about seeing this huge construction boom stay on track, within budget and on time,” he said.

Congressman Mike McIntyreappointed Dr. Alfred Bryant to hisEducation Advisory Committee. Dr. Bryant isa professor in the School of Education.

Rep. McIntyre’s 7th District EducationAdvisory Committee meets periodically to help keep the congressman informedon the critical issues facing the educationsystem.

Dr. Bryant said he appreciates theopportunity to serve on the committee.

“I am honored to be appointed to Congressman McIntyre’s advisory committee,” he said. “This will be important work for me,

UNC Pembroke and the education community, as well as CongressmanMcIntyre. It gives me a great opportunity to be involved in improv-ing educational opportunities for all citizens of North Carolina.”

The committee consists of a cross section of southeastern NorthCarolina community residents who have an interest in education.Congressman McIntyre welcomed Dr. Bryant to the committee.

“The 7th District Education Advisory Committee welcomes Dr. Alfred Bryant,” Rep. McIntyre said. “We look forward to workingwith him and utilizing his knowledge and experience as we look for solutions to the challenges facing our higher education system.”

Dr. Bryant is a UNCP graduate and also received his Master’sDegree in education from the University. He earned his Ph.D. from North Carolina State University. ■

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Dr. Bryant joins congressman’s education committee

Girardot to lead UNCP’s facilities management

Faculty/Staff NewsFall 2004 UNCP Today 7

With a record number of inter-national students on campus forthe 2004 fall semester, Jing Gao, the newassociate director for International StudentServices, was there to welcome them.

Gao develops programs and providesservices to more than 50 internationalstudents from approximately 10 nations.

“Our mission is to make theUniversity a home away from home,”

Gao said. “From the chancellor down, every office is working tomake this a friendly place for international students.”

Gao will develop a variety of special programs for new arrivalsand returning international students, including orientation, counseling, programming, career services and transportation.

Gao has worked and studied in the United States for seven years.She is from the city of Baotou, located in the province of InnerMongolia. She received her Master of Arts Degree in culturalanthropology at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and is working on her doctorate there.

Gao joins International Student Services


University News

UNCP joins national pilot project for community engagement

The University works hard to improve the quality of life in its surroundingcommunities.

Now the University will become anational model of how universities canserve their regions.

UNCP was selected as one of four universities in the nation to join anAmerican Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) program called“Making Place Matter.” The program isfunded by a $150,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and is designed to promote an integrated approach to

engagement for universities and their surrounding communities.

The pilot project will take 18 months tocomplete a comprehensive vision of howUNCP and its community partners canwork more effectively. Community partnerswill assist the University in identifying stewardship opportunities and barriers.

UNCP was chosen for the program basedon its existing commitments to communityprograms, said Chancellor Meadors.

“We are honored to serve the nation as arole model in the Making Place Matter ini-tiative,” Chancellor Meadors said. “As the

leading economic engine in our service area,we look forward to strengthening our stew-ardship practices within the communitieswe serve.”

The project will help the University buildon an already strong commitment to publicservice, Chancellor Meadors said.

“UNC Pembroke is very proud of the successful partnerships within our community — as is evidenced by beingselected for Making Place Matter,” he added.“The relationships we forge and cultivatewill strengthen not only the University, butalso the communities we serve.”

More than 150 friends, familyand Pembroke residents helpeddedicate the new Walter J. PinchbeckFacilities, Planning and MaintenanceComplex on May 26, 2004.

Cutting the ribbon was Bertha L.Pinchbeck, widow of the late UNCP maintenance supervisor. Fourteen familymembers participated in the morning dedication ceremony.

The new Pinchbeck Complex, encom-passing four buildings and 60,000 squarefeet, replaces the old Pinchbeck mainte-nance building, which was dedicated in1978 and will become offices for purchas-ing, receiving, printing and central stores.

“This marks the first building at UNCPto be completed with funds from the NorthCarolina Higher Education Bonds that werepassed by the voters of this state,” said NeilHawk, vice chancellor for Business Affairs.

Located on the north end of campus, the complex cost $5.7 million and housesadministrative offices, garages, workshopsand storage, said Facilities CoordinatorDave Girardot.

“This project and other ongoing projectsare changing the face of the University andallowing us to work more efficiently,”Girardot said.

A Cree Indian, Pinchbeck was a leg-endary Boy Scout leader who was creditedwith introducing more Indian boys intoscouting than any other individual. In his

honor, 10 of his former scouts recited theBoy Scout oath and law.

Architect for the project was PeaseAssociates from Charlotte, N.C. The build-ing contractor was Adams and Britt ofLumberton, and the project was coordinat-ed by Steve Martin of UNCP’s Facilities,Planning and Construction offices.

Walter J. Pinchbeck’s official portrait,which hangs in the new building.

UNCP and friends dedicate Pinchbeck building

Dedication of the new Walter J. PinchbeckFacilities, Planning and MaintenanceComplex: From left, Neil Hawk, vice chan-cellor for Business Affairs; Jesse Oxendine,a friend and former Boy Scout; sonFrancis Pinchbeck; daughters Sandra Bondand Mary Alice Teets; Steve Martin, facilityarchitect; Dick Taylor, UNCP trustee; andLarry Freeman, Physical Plant director.

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The new headquarters for UNCPembroke’s Regional Center for Economic,Community and Professional Developmentwas dedicated Aug. 30, 2004.

Located at COMtech, a nearby economicdevelopment incubator, it is the first buildingthat UNCP has ever constructed off campus.

“This is more of a celebration,” saidChancellor Meadors. “It is truly a joint effortof the University and federal, state and localgovernments.”

Seventh District U.S. Representative MikeMcIntyre was one of the people who madethe new office, conference and training center a reality.

“The positive economic developmentvision incorporated into this effort will

indeed make a difference to the people of southeastern North Carolina,” Rep.McIntyre said in a letter.

Congressman McIntyre and retired 7thDistrict Congressman Charles G. Rose IIIfacilitated nearly $3 million in federalHousing and Urban Development grantsto provide initial funding for the RegionalCenter.

The new 11,500-square-foot building has offices for Regional Center programs, including the Small Business and Technology Development Center,health care programs and youth development programs.

The dedication was attended by represen-tatives of several local governments and

businesses, including the towns of St. Pauls,Pembroke and Red Springs, RobesonCommunity College, Robeson County,Lumbee River Electric MembershipCorporation, Lumbee Guaranty Bank,Southeastern Regional Medical Center,Health Department, the Robeson CountyCommittee of 100, Pembroke AreaChamber of Commerce, state Sen. DavidWeinstein and representatives from theoffices of Rep. McIntyre and U.S. SenatorElizabeth Dole.

UNCP has high hopes for the RegionalCenter and its role of improving the quali-ty of life in the region, said Dr. RogerBrown, provost and vice chancellor forAcademic Affairs.

“The Regional Center was born to innovate and to tap the resources of the academic world and connect them withcommunity resources for the betterment of our region,” Dr. Brown said. “We are committed to providing comprehensiveprograms and services that support region-al growth and development, includingresearch and development, workforce andbusiness development, and initiatives ineducation, health and public safety.”

UNCP dedicates new Regional Center headquarters

A newly refurbished and revitalized Herbert G. OxendineBuilding was dedicated Wednesday, Aug.25, 2004.

The Oxendine Science Building housesthe Biology, Chemistry and Physics depart-ments in addition to the Department ofMathematics and Computer Science. The building’s annex also holds theschool’s University Computing andInformation Services, making it a key partof the school’s communication network.

Now the building is better than ever. A whopping $17 million of the N.C. HigherEducation Bond money was used for renovations on the structure, making the new Oxendine Building the single-largest construction project in the school’s history.The extensive remodeling closed the building for 14 months.

Over the course of the construction, thebuilding’s interior was refurbished and itsresources upgraded and expanded. Amongthe brand-new features added to the buildingare a new wing of lab space, a greenhouseand, perhaps most impressively, an observatory.

Named for Dr. Herbert GranthamOxendine, the science building is a tribute to one of the University’s past leadersand a pioneering member of the LumbeeTribe. A lifelong proponent of education, Dr.Oxendine was an enthusiastic teacher andadministrator. His love for learning led himto become the first Lumbee to earn a doctor-al degree. His work as a civil rights leaderpaved the way for greater minority represen-tation on Robeson County’s school board.

During the 14 years he spent at UNCP,Oxendine served as both head of the

Education Department (1953-1960) and asdean of faculty (1957-1963) before his deathin 1966. A year later, the science building wascompleted. It was named for Dr. Oxendineduring a special ceremony Jan. 18, 1973.

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Regional Center Ribbon Cutting: Fromleft, Dr. Collie Coleman, associate vicechancellor for Outreach; Dr. RogerBrown, provost and vice chancellor forAcademic Affairs; McDuffie Cummings,Pembroke town manager; Ronnie Hunt,CEO of Lumbee River ElectricMembership; Sylvia Pate, RegionalCenter director; Dick Taylor, UNCPtrustee; Chancellor Meadors; Sen. DavidWeinstein; and Martha McLean ofCongressman Mike McIntyre’s office.

Oxendine Science Building Ribbon Cutting:From left, Mildred Jacobs, Herbert G.(Grant) Oxendine, Linda Oxendine,Chancellor Meadors, Miriam Oxendine and Richard Oxendine.

Oxendine building back and better than ever

Givens Performing Arts Center2004 - 2005 Professional Artist Series

Broadway & More SeriesJim Brickman on September 23

The Stephen Schwartz Songbook on October 7Keep on the Sunny Side on November 8

Fiddler on the Roof on December 7Bring in ’Da Noise, Bring in ’Da Funk on January 19

Broadway! The Big Band Years on February 9Bowfire on March 14

Steel Magnolias on March 30

Distinguished Speaker SeriesMark Russell on September 15

Judy Woodruff on November 15Cornell West on February 24

Dick Vitale on April 11

Nostalgia Concert SeriesRonnie Milsap on October 1

The Piano Men on November 18Lou Rawls on December 4The Platters on February 4

Legends of Rock ’n Roll on May 3

For season or individual ticket information, or to receive a season brochure, please contact our box office at(910) 521-6361 or at 1-800-367-0778, or visit us on the Web at www.uncp.edu/gpac

All shows, artists and dates subject to change due to availability.

Jim BrickmanChampagne Gala Event

Judy WoodruffCNN Correspondent The Legends of Rock ’n Roll

Homecoming 2005

Special EventsWindham Hill’s America on September 28

Best Little Whorehouse in Texas on February 25

Braves Athletics

Cockrell named assistantathletics director formedia relations

Rikki Cockrellwas promoted to thenew position ofassistant athleticsdirector for mediarelations.

She served assports informationdirector (SID) and as senior women’sadministrator.

Cockrell, a 2001 graduate, assumed the role of sports information director in May2003 after serving as co-SID and graduateassistant for two years prior. In January 2004,she also took on the role of senior women’sadministrator.

As assistant athletics director for mediarelations, Cockrell maintains responsibilityfor UNCP’s 14 varsity sports and the athletics Web site. She is also responsible for coordinating all broadcasting needs with WNCP-TV and serving as spokespersonfor the athletics department.

Kristen Nusz namedcheerleading anddance coach

Kristen Nuszwas hired as coachfor cheerleadingand dance. Nuszalso serves as aninstructor in theHealth, PhysicalEducation andRecreationDepartment.

A 2004 graduate of the University ofTexas, Nusz was a member of theLonghorns’ varsity pompom squad.

Nusz also gained cheerleading and danceexperience with the All That Jazz Academyof Dance and the Doubletake Dance Studio.She taught dance, choreography and teamorganization.

‘Ned’ Sampson joins NCHSAA Hall of Fame

Sampson, a three-sport star and 1953UNCP graduate, was nominated in August tothe North Carolina High School AthleticAssociation’s (NCHSAA) Hall of Fame.

A legendary player and coach, Sampson is thefather of Oklahoma University head basketballcoach Kelvin Sampson. According to the RaleighNews and Observer, Sampson may be the best NativeAmerican athlete ever from North Carolina.

Although he excelled in three sports, Sampsonwas best at basketball in high school and at UNCP and had an outstandingcoaching career at Magnolia High School.

He took the news with characteristic modesty.“It’s something I did not expect, but I’m glad and I feel honored by being

selected,” Sampson told Earl Vaughn Jr. of The Fayetteville Observer. Basketball is in the Sampson family’s blood. Son Kelvin played basketball

and baseball at Pembroke High School and later at UNCP. Ned and Kelvin are the only father-son duo in UNCP’s Athletic Hall of

Fame.

Braves Athletics


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76ers name UNCP grad asassistant coach

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Jim O’Brienannounced the hiring of Joe Gallagher as his assistant coach.

A 1968 UNCP graduate, Gallagher joined theNational Basketball Association team after serving as an assistant coach for the last two seasons withO’Brien for the Boston Celtics. Gallagher andO’Brien are both Philadelphia natives.

O’Brien is the younger brother of Barry O’Brien’75, a standout basketball player and former faculty

member. The younger O’Brien was assistant Braves basketball coach for a yearin 1976.

“Joe is an outstanding teacher of the game. He is especially an excellent bigman coach,” O’Brien said. “I have known Joe for years and was an assistantcoach for him at Pembroke State. We are very happy to have him aboard.”

Gallagher brings to the Philadelphia coaching staff more than 29 years ofcollegiate coaching experience, including six years as head coach at MethodistCollege (1973-1975), Pembroke State (1975-1978) and Belmont AbbeyCollege (1991-1992). Gallagher has also served as an assistant coach at theUniversity of Richmond (1979-1986 and 1992-1996), Boston College (1986-1991), UNC Greensboro (1996-1999) and Campbell University (1999-2002).

Gallagher was named Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach ofthe Year each of his two seasons at Methodist College.

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The University established a newfund to honor its founders: W.L.Moore, Preston Locklear, JamesOxendine, James Dial Sr., J.J. Oxendine,Isaac Brayboy and Olin Oxendine.

The fund supports the founders’original mission of training teachers bysupporting UNCP’s Teaching FellowsProgram, a scholarship program torecruit outstanding high school stu-dents into the teaching profession.

The Lumbee Hall Fund wasannounced during the week of the2004 Lumbee Homecoming at a July 1garden reception at the Chancellor’sResidence. The fund was establishedwith an initial gift of $25,000 from thePembroke law firm of Locklear, Jacobs,Hunt and Brooks.

The fund quickly grew to $38,000with a personal gift of $5,000 from law partner Arlie Jacobs in honor ofMalachi Locklear, Jacobs’ great-grandfa-ther, who was responsible for inspiringseveral generations of family membersto attend the University.

Law partner Grady Hunt announcedthe second gift of $8,000 from the firmthat provides immediate assistance tothe Teaching Fellows Program. Anexhibit will be created to honor theUniversity’s founders and will be locat-ed in the lobby of Lumbee Hall,UNCP’s administration building.

The original trustees will be honored in the exhibit, along with HamiltonMcMillan, the Robeson County legisla-tor who proposed legislation to startthe Croatan Normal School. Charterdonors to the Lumbee Hall Fund whomake gifts of $5,000 or more during2004 will be recognized on a plaquelocated near the exhibit.

Speaking on behalf of the firm, ArlieJacobs said the founders had a vision tocreate an institution that would providea formal education to the children of

the community. Jacobs said his family’sroots go back to the early days of whatwas then called Croatan Normal School.

“W.L. Moore, one of the founders ofthe University, resided in the ProspectCommunity and had a friend, MalachiLocklear,” Jacobs said. “Malachi Locklearhad a daughter, Anna Bell Locklear, whohe desired to have a formal education.Anna Bell Locklear got that education inthe early 1900s from what is now ourUniversity and began to teach school inthe Prospect Community.

“In 1953, a grandson of Anna BellLocklear began to attend school inProspect, and he graduated in 1964,”Jacobs added. “All of his teachers at theProspect School were graduates of ourUniversity. In 1968, the grandson graduated from our University.

“Without a doubt, I am a product ofthe vision of the founders because I ama great-grandson of Malachi Locklearand that grandson of Anna BellLocklear,” Jacobs concluded.

Hunt introduced James Moore,grandson of W.L. Moore. Moore saidthe founders led their people from anage of darkness into the light.

“I have always thought of these menas heroes who led their people out of

years of darkness,” he said. “These peo-ple had been without any school since1835, and the founders changed thedestiny of the people.”

Hunt said the law firm is followingthe example of the University’sfounders.

“I would like to thank the seniorpartners of the firm, Arnold Locklearand Arlie Jacobs, for having developeda philosophy, long before I arrived, ofbeing civic-minded and giving back tothe community,” Hunt said. “I wouldalso like to thank my partners, BrianBrooks and Mark Locklear, for adopting the same policy.”

Chancellor Allen C. Meadorsthanked the firm for its generosity.

“The establishment of the Lumbee HallFund is a showcase for the positive part-nership between the University and thecommunity,” he said.

A public unveiling of the LumbeeHall Fund was held on the steps of OldMain on July 3. Thirty-eight descen-dants of the founders attended theceremony.

For more information about theLumbee Hall Fund, contact the Officefor Advancement at (910) 521-6252 orgo to www.uncp.edu/advancement/.

UNCP establishes the Lumbee Hall Fund with agift from Pembroke law firm

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Advancement

Lumbee Hall Fund Donation: From left, Arnold Locklear, Brian Brooks, ArlieJacobs, UNCP Board of Trustees chair Gervais Oxendine, Chancellor Meadorsand Grady Hunt.


Advancement

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UNCP receives grant to begin biotechnology project

The University will receive a federalgrant through the National ScienceFoundation (NSF) to start a biotechnologyproject. The University will receive$324,369 for the first year of a proposed$600,000, three-year program.

Faculty and administration worked formore than two years on the program withthe goal of constructing a bio-processinglaboratory. Titled “Project BIO” (BuildingInnovative Opportunities for SoutheastNorth Carolina), it will provide work-shops, courses, seminars and conferencesfor educators, industry leaders and othersinvolved with economic developmentthrough the creation of a BiotechnologyBusiness and Industrial Training Center.

The program’s next phase is to obtainfunding for the actual construction of abuilding to house the center. A 4,800-

square-foot facility, estimated to cost $1 million, is planned for the COMtechindustry park near Pembroke.

Chancellor Meadors said the grant is astep forward for the University’s growingbiotechnology program and for theregion’s economy.

“The University’s biotechnology initia-tives will distinguish us and our region ashaving the vision to prepare for the com-ing technological landscape,” ChancellorMeadors said. “Biotechnology is just onlybeginning to bear fruit for a more healthyand prosperous North Carolina.”

The purpose of the BiotechnologyCenter would be to train university andcommunity college students for jobs inthe biotechnology industry, to conductresearch and to manufacture products forthe biotechnology industry. The ultimate

goal is to attract the growing biotechnolo-gy industry to southeastern NorthCarolina.

Partners in the grant proposal are manyand come from education, business andgovernment sectors.

The NSF grant will be administered byUNCP’s Regional Center for Economic,Community and ProfessionalDevelopment. Chemistry Professor Dr. Len Holmes provided much of theprogram’s initial research.

“UNCP has been in the field ofbiotechnology for 10 years thanks to $1 million in investments from the NorthCarolina Biotechnology Center, and weare ready to take this most important nextstep,” Dr. Holmes said. “We have the staff,the students and resources to make thisvision a reality.”

Rocky Mount group makes Thorpe Scholarship possibleTwin County CommunityPride, a nonprofit group from RockyMount, made a contribution that allowedthe Jim Thorpe Endowed Scholarship tomake its first award. Twin County Com-munity Pride is a community servicegroup that is planning a historical museum and hall of fame, said PresidentChris Miller.

“We are pleased to have a connectionwith UNCP, and we look forward to learn-ing more about the American Indianstudies program,” Miller said.

American Indian Studies Professor Dr. Robert Reising is a Thorpe scholar andan originator of the scholarship honoringthe sports hero.

“Twin County Community Pride tookthe scholarship over the top,” Dr. Reisingsaid.

With the gift, the Thorpe Scholarshipbecame an endowed or perpetual fundfrom which student awards will be made.

UNCP student and American Indianstudies major Betsy Herron of Wadesboro,

N.C., was announced as the first recipientof the scholarship.

For more information about the JimThorpe Endowed Scholarship or other

giving programs at UNCP, please contactthe Office for Advancement at (910) 521-6252 or e-mail [email protected].

Jim Thorpe Endowed Scholarship Contribution: From left, Dr. Robert Reising, RoleeneRhodes, Chris Miller, Peter Varney, Mae Parker, Betsy Herron, Robert Herron andMartha Lamm.


Greetings, AlumniEvery fall, a wonderful thing happens at UNCP. New students come to the University to begin a high-quality education. Many others con-tinue their education, and still others prepare forgraduation. As alumni, you should also be preparingto return to your alma mater — UNC Pembroke —and see all the great things you remember and thenew construction that is almost finished. The datesare already being posted for the December Drop-inat the Chancellor’s Residence, Homecoming, and

Winter and Spring Commencement ceremonies. Plan to attend these events now so you won’t miss out!

The Chancellor’s Christmas Drop-in is a wonderful time to visit with oldfriends and to meet new alumni. Every Homecoming weekend is exciting and filled with basketball, concerts and comedy acts. Commencement cere-monies are a time to see the “finished products” of a great University. Whileyou’re on campus, sign up to be an active member of the Alumni Association.Make a commitment to give back to the University that helped shape whatyou are today. Plan to come see the new UNCP for 2004. Just like the Website (www.uncp.edu), it gets better every day!

Hal Sargent ’96Alumni Association President

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Board of Directors Executive Board

PresidentFrank “Hal” Sargent II ’96

1st Vice PresidentJeffrey Alejandro ’952nd Vice PresidentJason Bentzler ’96

Secretary/TreasurerSandra McCormick ’95

Immediate Past PresidentDwight Pearson ’77

Board MembersPaula Archambault ’92

Ida Baker ’85Chris Clark ’94

Floyd Locklear ’86Dr. Earlena Lowry ’65

Executive DirectorLorna Ricotta ’01

Alumni ChaptersCharlotte Chapter

Fayetteville ChapterPiedmont ChapterRobeson ChapterScotland ChapterTriangle Chapter

CLASS NOTES andCHAPTER NEWS

To submit class notes or chapter news: Office of Alumni Relations

P.O. Box 1510Pembroke, NC 28372-1510

tel: 1-800-949-UNCP or(910) 521-6533

fax: (910) 521-6185email: [email protected]

web: www.uncp.edu/alumni

alumni

Alumni Travel Planning CalendarWelcome alumni, friends and families. Join the UNCP AlumniTravel Program for exciting tours to the following destinations.

Current Travel

• Niagara Falls/Ontario• English Countryside Stay• New England and Vermont in the Fall• New York• Alpine Christmas

For more information

(910) 521-6533 • [email protected] • www.uncp.edu/alumni


Alumni

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Alumni legacies at UNCP werehonored Aug. 20 during the secondannual Alumni Legacy Banquet.

The banquet, held at the James B.Chavis University Center, featured apinning ceremony for some of the 179 legacies.

For some alumni, it was a time tobecome re-acquainted with a campusthat has changed considerably sincetheir undergraduate days.

“Really, there was not much on campus,” said Johnny Strickland’79, who attended the banquet with his daughter, Amanda, a freshman. “In fact, this building (UniversityCenter) was not here, either.”

“It’s definitely different. It’s growing,” said Danny Graham ’82,who attended with his son, Scott, a junior.

Provost and Vice Chancellor forAcademic Affairs Roger Brown saidmany students enjoy their time atUNCP so much, they don’t leave.

“It’s rare in academia to have somany graduates who have stayed towork at their alma mater, and many ofthem are senior-level administrators,”Dr. Brown said. “I am impressed.”

In the audience was Dr. Diane Jones’71, vice chancellor for Student Affairs,with her son, David English, a senior,and Dr. Warren Baker ’75, dean of theSchool of Education, with his son,Tommy, a junior.

Jackie Clark ’77, vice chancellor for Enrollment Management, talkedabout one of her proudest moments as a parent.

“I was the first in my family toattend college, but one of my greatestjoys was when my daughter chose tocome to UNCP,” Clark said. “I hope allof you will develop the same passionfor this place that I have. Parents, Ichallenge you to fall in love again with us.”

Host and Alumni Director Lorna Ricotta ’01 distributed legacypins, saying they are a “small

memento to be worn with great pride.

“Congratulations to all the parentsand students who have chosen to pur-sue their education here,” Ricotta said."My parents, two sisters, a brother and

I attended UNCP, so my family has alot of history here.

“I encourage you, as legacies, to goout and make your own history,” sheadded.

UNCP 2004 Alumni Awards Nomination Form

I Nominate (Name):

Major and Graduation Year:

for (check one):

■■ Distinguished Service AwardThe Distinguished Service Award is conferred on the basis of distinguishedleadership and service to The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.Alumni and friends are eligible for this award.

■■ Outstanding Alumnus/a AwardThe Outstanding Alumnus/a Award criteria for selection includes distinguished professional achievement, leadership and service to the University and/or com-munity in addition to loyalty to the ideals of The University of North Carolinaat Pembroke.This is the Alumni Association’s highest honor, and nominees mustbe a UNCP graduate to receive this award.

Nominee’s Address:

Brief Biographical Information:

Submitted by:Please return your completed form and a letter indicating why this personshould be considered for the award for which they have been nominated nolater than November 30, 2004 to:

The University of North Carolina at PembrokeOffice of Alumni RelationsP.O. Box 1510Pembroke, NC 28372-1510

✁

UNCP welcomes ‘legacies’ at banquet


UNCP salutesour alumni servingin Iraq. This listdoes not representall UNCP alumniin Iraq.

Major Michael K. Bentley ’91 is a UH60Black Hawk helicopter pilot with the U.S. Army and plans to move to Germany.

Sergeant Bobby Emanuel ’93 is servingin the National Guard in Iraq at the supply point outside Baghdad.

Charlyne Jacobs ’98 serves in Iraq. Her group is among 3,500 North CarolinaNational Guardsmen who are spending ayear trying to improve security in easternDiyala Province and set the stage for Iraqinational elections to be held toward theend of the year. Jacobs received her com-mission as a second lieutenant throughofficer candidate school. After reporting toher teaching job, she was called to attendthe engineer officer basic course at FortLeonard Wood, Mo., then went on to

training to set up in Iraq. She arrived inearly March. “I’ve enjoyed everything sofar,” she said. “I’ve got a good group ofhard-working guys.”

Sgt. Kristopher Carter ’02 ofLumberton celebrated his 27th birthdayon July 4 while serving in the Abu Ghraibprison in Iraq. Carter is a member of the428th Military Police Company and hasbeen in Iraq since February with the ArmyReserve. He wrote that there is never atime when he feels safe. Carter said he willprobably be in Iraq for at least another 18 months or longer. His family, whichincludes his mother, Brenda Carter, broth-er, William Carter, and sister-in-law,Sabrina Carter, said they miss him terribly.He said the men he’s stationed with aremore like family than friends, but there’sno substitute for his blood family. “We’reproud of him and anxious to get himhome,” Sabrina said. Carter said he isproud to serve his country. “Not all Iraqishate Americans; a lot of them look up tothe soldiers, especially the children, who usually ask for candy or gum.”

Alumni Spotlight

alumni

City schools finance directorgetting comfortable withjob

Andrew Callihan ’97, Whiteville CitySchools’ director of finance, is nearing his first anniversary with the system, andhe is finding that his job is a great fit. The Bladenboro, N.C., native joinedWhiteville schools last summer. He earnedhis degree in political science. He workedfor an accounting firm for three years andspent the next two years with UNCP’sFinance office. At the University, his jobincluded working with budgets and pay-roll. Callihan is known around Whiteville City Schools’ offices for his sense ofhumor. “You need a sense of humor,” he said. “You need to enjoy your job.”

Former star athlete nowdevoted to children

Melanie Grooms-Huddleston ’93, athree-sport star athlete at South View High School during the 1980s and a two-sport standout at UNCP, is now aphysical education teacher at BaldwinElementary School. She was an outstand-ing volleyball, basketball and softballplayer and was named to the Braves’Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003.

“All of the sports I’ve played havehelped me to build a strong work ethic,”she said. Grooms-Huddleston led theBraves to their first Carolina IntercollegiateAthletic Conference championship andbecame the school’s first All-American involleyball in 1991. After she received herMaster’s Degree from East CarolinaUniversity, she became the volleyball and softball coach at her alma mater.Grooms-Huddleston is now the

mother of a 4-year-old, and she said if her daughter decides to go into sports,Grooms-Huddleston will support her 100 percent.

“Whatever she chooses, she will have astrong, dedicated background,” Grooms-Huddleston said.

Sampson returns home forCampbell clinic

Kelvin Sampson ’78, OklahomaUniversity head men’s basketball coach,stressed teamwork to campers during apresentation at Carter Gym, where he wasthe guest coach at Campbell University’sbasketball camp this summer. Sampsonsaid he enjoyed coaching the 2003-2004Sooners, a young team that took awhile tocome together. This summer, he coachedUSA Basketball’s 21-and-under team to theJunior World Championship in Halifax,Nova Scotia.

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Alumni scholarships awarded

UNCP’s Alumni Association hasawarded seven Alumni Loyalty Scholar-ships for the 2004-2005 academic year.

One of the University’s largest endowedscholarship programs, the Loyalty Scholar-ship goes to sons and daughters of alumniand is valued at $1,000. The awards arebased on students’ outstanding academicrecords in high school, potential for leadership and financial need.

Recipients for 2004-2005 are:• Stephanie Dunn of Norwood, N.C.,daughter of Lonnie and Marie ’82 Dunn• Jenna Freeman of Pembroke, N.C.,daughter of Ken ’78 and Jennifer ’83Freeman• Jessica Graham of Pembroke, N.C.,daughter of Jill Harris ’75• Janadean Jacobs of Pembroke, N.C.,daughter of Harold ’76 and Edna ’81Jacobs• Justin Jacobs of Pembroke, N.C., son of Marshall and Belinda ’01 Jacobs• Sarah Johnson of Fairmont, N.C.,daughter of Vernon ’71 and DeborahJohnson• Elizabeth Locklear of Pembroke, N.C.,daughter of Robert and Lanette ’74Locklear

UNCP alumni serve our country

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Show your UNCP Pride! (910) 521-6533 • [email protected]

1940sCurt Locklear ’49 and Catherine Locklearcelebrated their 57th wedding anniver-sary.The couple was married May 17,1947.

1960sMichael W. Moree ’68 recently became the minister of First United MethodistChurch in Conover, N.C.

1970sMichael Clark ’70 is employed in sales at WESCO Distribution Company inGeneva, Ohio.

Charles R. Paris Jr. ’70 retired as a NorthCarolina credit union examiner after 27years. He is married with four children andtwo grandchildren. His youngest son, who is20, plans to enroll at UNCP after he com-pletes a program at Central PiedmontCommunity College in Charlotte, N.C.

Deborah Hundley Brooks ’73 retired as a business, reading and language artsteacher for Forsyth County Schools,Robeson County Schools and AlamanceCounty Schools. She lives in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Mary Ellen LawsonRobinson ’75 recently won the Wal-Mart Teacherof the Year award inAsheboro, N.C. She tookhome a $1,000 prize.Robinson is an art instruc-tor for Randolph County

Schools at Seagrove and Southmont elementary schools.

Vernesia Ann Bryant ’77 retired fromDuPont after 20 years of service.

Pamela Graham DeRensis ’77, a senior program specialist for the U.S. Department of Education,recently took an assignment with theSmithsonian’s National Museum of theAmerican Indian in Washington, D.C.

Paul Faulk ’77 is southeastern supervisorof scouting for the Atlanta Braves majorleague baseball organization. He was chosenas Scout of the Year by the Mid-AtlanticScouts Association in 2002 and by the

Professional Baseball RepresentativesAssociation in 2003.

Walter S. Crowe ’79 is operations sergeantat the N.C. National Guard in Aberdeen,N.C. He plans to retire in August 2004with 34 years of active service and start a new career as a real estate broker.

1980sRussell Gage ’80 is a business manager atAker Kvaerner of Houston,Texas. He isbased in Olso, Norway.

Kenneth Parsons ’80 was promoted toeditorial director for three business-to-business magazines: Stitches Magazine,Profitable Embroiderer and Stitches World, allof which serve the apparel industry. He isfounding editor of Stitches World andProfitable Embroiderer in Freeport, N.Y.

Edward Beale ’82 is a public health adminis-trator for the Cumberland County HealthDepartment in Fayetteville, N.C.

Bobbie Jeanne Little ’83,’84, ’88 received herDoctorate of Educationin educational leadershipand curriculum specialistMay 15, 2004, from UNCCharlotte. In 1995, shereceived her certificate

of advanced studies in educational leader-ship and curriculum specialist II fromUNC Charlotte. She is a school adminis-trator for Anson County Schools.

Gwendolyn Johnson ’84 is a sentencingspecialist at the Durham SentencingServices program.

Karen Clarkson ’86 is a labor relations specialist at the Veterans Affairs MedicalCenter in Fayetteville, N.C.

Ed Drew ’88 is minister at ChocowinityUnited Methodist Church and Bible stud-ies instructor at Pitt Community College.He was ordained as a deacon June 9 atthe Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, N.C.,and plans to enter a doctoral program insocial ministry.

Ardeen Hunt Jr. ’88 was recently promot-ed to sergeant with the North CarolinaState Highway Patrol and is assigned toTroop C, District 1 in Rocky Mount, N.C.

Timothy McNeill ’88 is practicing civil litigation in Winterville, N.C.

WeddingsTeresa Locklear ’87 of Red Springs, N.C.,and Randy Locklear of Maxton, N.C.,were married July 18 in North MyrtleBeach, S.C.

Get your UNCP license tag today.

Contact: Alumni Relations

Hammonds’ pottery on display at UNCP and Raleigh

Celia Hammondstook up pottery in 1997 as a hobby.

Today, her workis on display atUNC Pembroke’sNative AmericanResources Center(NARC) and inRaleigh at theheadquarters ofthe North Carolina Community CollegeSystem.

A 1987 UNCP graduate, Hammondsdid not study art in college.

“I just thought one day that I would like to do it,” she said.“Today, I live in mystudio, and my pottery wheel is in mykitchen.”

Hammonds studied under Jim Tripp at Robeson Community College and laterin Wilmington at Fat Cat Studios. She continues to take classes and learn moreabout the craft and art of pottery making.

She was a new artist this year, with sixpieces in the NARC’s annual SummerShow and Sale, which opened at LumbeeHomecoming and continued through thesummer.

Hammonds’ success may be surprisingto the artist herself, but her work is out-standing, as her selection to show inRaleigh demonstrates.

“I was very pleased about being select-ed to show my work at the CaswellBuilding,” Hammonds said.“There were1,000 submissions, and 41 were selected.”

Her hand-thrown bowl debuted March18 at a reception honoring the artists thatwas hosted by Community CollegePresident Martin Lancaster. It will remainon display for one year.

A native of the Saddletree Communitynear Lumberton, Hammonds is a socialworker with the North Carolina Divisionof Services for the Blind. She sells potteryunder the San-Beulah Pottery label andmay be reached at (910) 739-7810.

1990sAlfred Bryant ’90 was appointed toCongressman Mike McIntyre’s EducationAdvisory Committee. Dr. Bryant is a pro-fessor in UNCP’s School of Education.

Sharon Davis-Montgomery ’90 works withSprint in Herndon,Va. She is expecting hersecond child in October and celebratedher son Santiago’s first birthday in April.

Millicent Locklear ’90 was presented theNorth Carolina Award for OutstandingVolunteer Service for central NorthCarolina on Sept. 9, 2003. On March 16,2004, the Angier (N.C.) Chamber ofCommerce named her Woman of the Year.

Michael Nathan ’90 is a loan officer withAccelerated Mortgage of Fayetteville, N.C.

Major Mike Bentley ’91 is a UH60 BlackHawk helicopter pilot with the U.S.Armyand will be deployed to Germany in thenear future.

Joshua Malcolm ’92 graduated fromNorth Carolina Central University Schoolof Law in May 2004. He is married toMeloria Revels Malcolm.They have twochildren: Johnathan Forrest, 7, and AlaniaFaith, 5.The family resides in Pembroke.

Kari Wilson ’92 teaches third grade atRoyal Elementary School in Louisburg,N.C. She has two children: Seth, 8, andTaylor, 3.

Kathi Ragland Hardison ’93 and GaryHardison Jr. are the proud parents of a baby girl, Jaeden Pearl. Kathi is a self-employed homemaker and lives near the Outer Banks in Arapahoe, N.C.

Angela Brown ’94 is enrolled at NorthCarolina Central University in theMaster’s of Education program in speech and language pathology.

Tammy Jacobs Cummings ’94 is a victim/witness coordinator in the RobesonCounty District Attorney’s office.

Gregory Kealey ’94 is a senior loan man-ager with the Business DevelopmentBank of Canada. He plans to move withhis family to the United States in 2004.

Kayla Parnell ’94 is a business teacherwith the Public Schools of RobesonCounty. On Oct. 10, 2003, she had a babygirl, Makenna Rose.

Jack J. Baldwin ’95 is a recreation centersupervisor in Garner, N.C., and lives inClayton, N.C.

Amy Phelps Combs ’95 is a child protec-tive services investigator with the GastonCounty Department of Social Services.Her husband, Robert Combs ’96, is ateacher and football coach at AshbrookHigh School in Gastonia, N.C.They havetwo children: Lily, 4, and Andrea, 1.

Brian Dickinson ’95 is a consultant withGlaxoSmithKline.

Wendy Ellison ’95 is a teacher withDavidson County Schools.

Delane Jackson ’95 and Tracy Jackson ’95welcomed a baby boy, Charles Lane, onJune 9, 2004.They also have a daughter,Hannah, 3. Delane is the town managerfor Bladenboro, N.C.

Paul N. Locklear ’95 was recently appoint-ed to the Town of Pembroke Parks andRecreation Board. He is a 2004 graduateof Fayetteville State University with hisMaster’s of School Administration degree.He is an assistant principal for the PublicSchools of Robeson County.

Christopher Clark ’96 is a National BoardCertified educator in early adolescencemathematics and is a test coordinator forthe Public Schools of Robeson County.

Edith J. Crowe ’96 is a behavioral thera-pist at Behavior Health Care Center inAberdeen, N.C.

J. Mark Locklear ’96 is employed byApogen Technologies in New Orleans, La.,as a test engineer.

Jennifer Lowry ’96 joined UNCP’s Officeof Disability Support Services to assiststudents with learning disabilities andattention deficit/hyperactivity disorders.She earned her Master’s Degree in specialeducation from North Carolina StateUniversity in 1999 and has eight years ofexperience in special education class-rooms. She serves more than 200students with disabilities at UNCP.

Mell Bishop III ’97is a senior chemistfor CoatingConcepts inCharlotte, N.C.He is married toDina Bishop ’97.

Vincent Castano ’97 was promoted todirector of the Office of Student SupportServices at Central Carolina CommunityCollege in Sanford, N.C. He received hisMaster’s Degree in American historyfrom Western Carolina University in 2000and is a Master’s Degree candidate in service agency counseling at UNCP.

Phoebe Chavis-Harris ’97 welcomed a 9-pound, 3-ounce baby boy, CaleMontgomery, on March 26, 2004. Chavis-Harris is a teacher for the Public Schoolsof Robeson County and is pursuing herMaster’s of School Administration degree.

Marsha Currie ’97 is a social worker forthe Cumberland County Department ofSocial Services. Her husband, Brian P.Currie ’97, is employed at VerizonWireless in Fayetteville, N.C.

Barbara Scott ’97 is an accounting manag-er at Graphic Packaging in Richmond,Va.

Amy Bentley ’98 is employed by theMoore County Schools as a preschoolteacher.

Holly Hunt ’98 is a contract services andmarketing coordinator at the LumberRiver Council of Governments.

Hawhana Rising ’98 is media specialist forthe Public Schools of Robeson County.She was named the North Carolina“Young Careerist” at the state Businessand Professional Women’s Club’s annualconference in Rocky Mount, N.C. Shewas chosen based on her professionalachievements. Rising will represent NorthCarolina during the national conferencein Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Amy E. Carpenter ’99 is a seventh-gradelanguage arts teacher at John GriffinMiddle School in Cumberland CountySchools.

Randall Arthur Foster ’99 recentlyreceived his Doctor of Ministry Degree inpastoral counseling from the GraduateTheological Foundation in South Bend, Ind.In addition to his counseling responsibili-ties at Sandhills Community College, hemaintains a private counseling and consult-ing practice in Southern Pines, N.C.

Tara Michelle Stevens Williamson ’99teaches English for grades 9 through 12 atWaccamaw Academy in Whiteville, N.C.

EngagementsJimmy Hedrick Jr. ’98 and Allison Alvarez’96 are engaged to be married inOctober 2005.

WeddingsDavid Eugene Simmons ’92 marriedMalikah Kathleen El-Amin on Sept. 20,2003, at First Baptist Church. He isemployed with the Cumberland CountySchools.The couple resides inFayetteville, N.C.


alumni notes

Melinda Kay Powers ’93 married CharlesEdward Sellers Jr. on June 5, 2004, at FirstBaptist Church Chapel of Lumberton,N.C. Melinda works for the PublicSchools of Robeson County.The couple resides in Lumberton.

Melissa Britt ’95 and Scottie Brewer ofRichlands, N.C., were married July 17, 2004.

Brian Knight ’96 and Ginny Tolar of St.Pauls, N.C., were married Aug. 14, 2004,in Lumberton, N.C.

Sherrie L. Locklear ’96 married Thomas L.Oxendine on May 8, 2004, at Mt.Airy(N.C.) Baptist Church. Sherrie works for Family Alternatives Inc., and Thomasworks for the Laurinburg WaterTreatment Plant.The couple resides in Lumberton, N.C.

Charles Alton Grimsely ’98 of Fairmont,N.C., married Kena Elisabeth Arnette ofGoldsboro, N.C., on May 29, 2004, atBaltimore Baptist Church in Fairmont.The couple resides in Goldsboro.

Illya Chavis ’99 and Alfred Boyd Lindseywere married June 12, 2004, in Waikiki,Hawaii.They live in Pembroke, where Illyaworks for UNCP’s Regional Center forEconomic, Community and ProfessionalDevelopment.

Lisa Michelle Thomson ’99 married TylerJoel Hackett on June 19, 2004, at StoneyPoint Baptist Church in Fayetteville, N.C.She is a teacher, and he is a teacher’s assis-tant with Cumberland County Schools.The couple resides in Fayetteville.

BirthsLonda Hunt Santoscoy ’94 welcomed newbaby, Hunter Conrad, on March 11, 2004.She is employed as an accountant forOdell Associates Inc. in Charlotte, N.C.,and is married to Troy C. Santoscoy.

Wiley Kevin Mabe ’95 teaches in theRichmond County Schools. He has a newbaby boy,Wiley “Wil” Kevin Mabe Jr.,born July 16, 2004.

Natasha C. Berumen ’99works for the PublicSchools of RobesonCounty as a computertechnician. She gave birthto a daughter, MyraNicole, on May 9, 2004.

Brandi Jacobs ’99 welcomed an 8-pound,6-ounce baby girl, Kaylee Adora, on Nov.18, 2003. Jacobs is a social worker forDurham County.

2000sMary Modlin ’00 is working as a researchand development engineer with EADSTELECOM North America, located inFrisco,Texas.

Mary Ann Turner ’00 received herBachelor of Science Degree in nursing.She is part of the full-time nursing facultyat Southeastern Community College inWhiteville, N.C.

James Burney ’01 received his Master’s inEducation Degree in instructional tech-nology and curriculum development fromAmerican Intercontinental University.He is employed with Fairmont MiddleSchool as a sixth-grade English teacher.He also teaches for Upward Bound atUNCP in the summer and serves as atutor during the academic year.

Erin Megan ’01 is a stock trader at J.P.Morgan Investments L.L.C. in Tampa, Fla.

Rhonda L. Burch ’02 is chief executiveofficer and president of the Center ofLiving Home Health Hospice Inc. inAsheboro, N.C.

William N. Flagler Jr. ’02, ’04 is employedby the Management Services Division ofLoudoun County,Va., one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation.

Douglas LaFerney ’02 is a fourth-gradeteacher at St. Pauls Elementary School.

Dianna Moss ’02 has been accepted intothe Master’s of Science in nursing pro-gram at East Carolina University. She is a clinical nurse educator at ScotlandMemorial Hospital in Laurinburg, N.C.,and recently won the Nurse Scholar’sAward for academic merit.

Crystal Rose Bullard ’03 and Jason EricLowery ’04 will attend Brody School ofMedicine at East Carolina University.They are among 19 recipients of theUNC Board of Governors’ MedicalScholarship for 2004.The scholarship isbased on potential for service to NorthCarolina residents through medical prac-tice and demonstrated financial need.The scholarship covers tuition and feesand includes a $5,000 stipend.

Terry Locklear ’03 recently began a Master’s Degree program in digital com-munications at East Carolina University.He is the interim video facility manager at UNCP.

Cassandra Cline ’04 is employed by thePublic Schools of Robeson County as ateacher’s assistant.

Carla C. Jacobs ’04 began working in thenewly created position of internal auditorfor Hoke County in Raeford, N.C., justnine days after graduation.

Gloria Hatcher Locklear ’04 received hon-ors while completing UNCP’s Master ofPublic Administration program and wasinducted into Pi Alpha Alpha, the nationalhonor society for public affairs and adminis-tration. Since 1997, Locklear has beenemployed at Robeson Community College(RCC) as a member of the continuing education faculty, teaching compensatoryeducation. In 2003, RCC named herContinuing Education Faculty Member ofthe Year.

Jason Brady’s work chosen forinternational competition

Jason Brady, a2002 graduate,was part of a graphicarts team that washonored recently forits design work in an international mar-keting competition.

A newspaper advertising campaigndesigned by Brady, along with the market-ing department of The Fayetteville Observer,was selected as one of four finalists in anannual competition sponsored by theInternational Newspaper MarketingAssociation (INMA).

Titled “Knowledge Changes Everything:Take a Closer Look,” the branding cam-paign is a multiyear, multi-tiered programdesigned to promote the newspaper.For the third phase of the campaign,Brady and marketing creative managerBryan Huffman designed five newspaperads that were based on important newsthemes.

Brady said he learned a lot about art from Dr. John Labadie, who teachesgraphic design.

“I took painting from Ralph Steeds andsculpture from Paul Van Zandt and had ablast with all of it,” he said.“But to walkto the computer and hit ‘new’ is what isexciting because you have unlimited canvass and unlimited color.”

Apparently, Brady is a fast learner.Following his recognition by the INMA,he won four North Carolina PressAssociation awards, including first placefor best single-sheet insert, first place forbest full-color entertainment ad, firstplace for best spot-color entertainmentad and third place for best full-colorentertainment ad.



Christopher Workman ’04 isflock supervisor of PerdueFarms in Gibson, N.C.

BirthsElizabeth Nicole GibsonSummerlin ’00 gave birth to her 7-pound, 3-ounce daugh-ter, Lilly Grace, on Feb. 19,2004. She is a second-gradeteacher with RichmondCounty Schools.

WeddingsStephanie Melissa Detter ’00and Tommie Edward PurserJr., both of Fayetteville, N.C.,were married May 22, 2004,at Bellamy Mansion inWilmington, N.C. She isemployed with CommunityHome Care and Hospice inRocky Mount, N.C.

Wendy Fields ’00 and DanielFields were married on May31, 2003.Wendy started anew job teaching English forRobeson Community Collegein August 2003.

Tabitha Gail Stooksbury ’00of Fayetteville, N.C., marriedChristopher Daniel Kidd ofWest End, N.C., on May 22,2004, in Fayetteville. She is abusiness development consul-tant with FayettevillePublishing Company, and he is a second lieutenant andengineer in the U.S.Army.

Jamie Nicole Baker ’01 andThomas Bradley Smith Jr.,both of Fayetteville, N.C.,were married on June 12,2004, at Snyder MemorialBaptist Church in Fayetteville.Jamie is a crime preventionspecialist with the FayettevillePolice Department and ispursuing her Master’s ofPublic Administration Degree,and Thomas is a safe schoolcoordinator with Gray’sCreek High School and ayouth minister with Mt.Pisgah Baptist Church.

John W. Edwards ’01 andElicia Tanya Beard-Allen, bothof Fayetteville, N.C., were

married July 10, 2004, atLafayette Baptist Church inFayetteville. Edwards is anassistant manager at Wal-Mart in Fayetteville, and Beard-Allen is a band direc-tor with Cumberland CountySchools at John Griffin MiddleSchool and a flutist in theFayetteville Symphony.

Crystal Michelle Jacobs ’01and Matthew Joseph Raimo,both of Lumberton, N.C.,were married July 10, 2004,at First Baptist Chapel inLumberton. Crystal worksfor the Public Schools ofRobeson County, andMatthew is in the U.S.AirForce. After their weddingtrip, the couple will reside in Idaho.

Mark Jeffery Schmitz ’01of Lumberton, N.C., marriedHeather Ann Underhill ofRaleigh, N.C., June 5, 2004, atWake Cross Roads BaptistChurch in Raleigh. Mark worksfor Data Design Associates asa computer programmer, andHeather works for NationwideInsurance as a customer relations coordinator. After ahoneymoon trip to the west-ern Caribbean, the couple willreside in Raleigh.

Brian Robert Bang ’02 is aproduction supervisor withPerdue Farms in Rockingham,N.C. He is deployed andserving in Iraq until February2005 with the Army NationalGuard Charlie Company’s1st, 252nd Armor, 30thBrigade of Southern Pines,N.C. He is married to Lynette Torres Bang ’01,who is a quality assurancesupervisor with PerdueFarms in Rockingham, N.C.They have two daughters:Kaylin Maria, 2, and MaribelMadison, 3 months.

Rick Navarrete ’02 marriedLettie Sue Hedgpeth on June3, 2004, at Orrum BaptistChurch in Orrum, N.C.The couple plans to reside in Robeson County.

What’s New?Alumni may submit new information about retirements, births,

marriages and job changes by completing this form or by going online to www.uncp.edu/alumni. Mail your information to Alumni Relations,P.O. Box 1510, Pembroke, NC 28372.The deadline for the next issue is November 19, 2004.

Last name First

Maiden name Class year

Address

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E-mail Include in Alumni Notes? Yes ❒ No ❒

Employment Include in Alumni Notes? Yes ❒ No ❒

Position Retired

Start date

Company name

Address

City State Zip

Marriage Include in Alumni Notes? Yes ❒ No ❒

Month/Day/Year

Spouse’s full name Class year (if UNCP alumnus)

Birth/Adoption Include in Alumni Notes? Yes ❒ No ❒

Boy ❒ Girl ❒ Date born

Full name of child

2000s continued

Documents

Brian Freeman...4 UNCP Today Fall 2004 In his first year teaching, Tommy O’Briant “Brian” Freeman II was teacher of the year for Oxendine Elementary School. In his second year,