The Black & Gold

November 5 | Issue 9 | Black & Gold 2020

Alumni & friends,

Welcome to the Black & Gold, a weekly digest of UNC Pembroke news and information! Our faculty, staff, students and nearly 30,000 alumni all over the world never cease to amaze us with stories of resilience, determination and commitment to make their world a better place.

I hope you enjoy this newsletter to learn more about how UNCP, along with our alumni and friends, is making a difference on campus and in the communities we serve.

Your support and friendship makes that possible and sustains our university into the future. Thank you for all you do for this university and the students.

Sincerely,

Robin Gary Cummings, MD

Chancellor

Changing Lives Through Education

UNCP physics professor contributes to United Nation’s Nobel Peace Prize

For years, the United Nation’s World Food Program has been fighting the hunger crisis in Africa by using food airdrops to reach remote villages in South Sudan.

Recently, the UN World Food Program was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its humanitarian efforts. Some 7,000 miles away at UNC Pembroke, Physics Professor Steven Singletary found satisfaction knowing that his ingenuity is helping feed thousands of Sudanese facing starvation.

He was responsible for developing, designing and testing parachutes used to the make the airdrops. The parachutes were manufactured by a company contracted by the UN World Food Program.

“When I first saw the report about the UN winning the Nobel Peace Prize, I said, ‘Wow!. That’s my work!’ It’s very exciting. It’s hard to quantify in words what it means. The fact that so many people are eating as a result of something I designed is really satisfying,” Singletary said.

COVID-19 UPDATE

As UNCP navigates these unprecedented times in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are keeping the health and safety as well as the educational priorities at the forefront of our operational focus. The university is currently offering instruction in a mix of online, hybrid and traditional face-to-face settings. We are closely monitoring the situation on campus daily, and you can follow our progress, plan, case reporting and updates at COVID-19 Updates.

HAPPENING ON CAMPUS

UNCP inks BraveStep co-admission program with Sandhills Community College

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is expanding options for students who begin their college career at Sandhills Community College and continue their education at UNCP.

UNCP and Sandhills Community College have signed a partnership agreement for BraveStep, a co-admission program designed to increase access to a quality, affordable education ensuring student success.

Tar Heel Teachers interview series highlights UNCP’s educator leadership programs

The First Americans’ Educational Leadership (FAEL) and First Americans’ Teacher Education (FATE) programs at UNCP are highlighted during this week’s episode of Tar Heel Teachers at Home.

Among the panelists are Dr. Camille Goins, project director for FAEL which works to increase the number of highly effective American Indian administrators and Dr. Leslie Locklear, project coordinator of FATE which seeks to increase the number of highly qualified American Indian teachers. UNCP alumna Nikki Brooks, the 2020-2021 Principal of the Year for the Public Schools of Robeson County, serves as special guest elementary school panelist.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Angela Jones

Masters of Eduction in Professional School Counseling 2011

Angela Jones, of Lumberton, earned an undergraduate degree in criminal justice and a graduate degree in professional school counseling, both from UNCP.

In the spring of 1988, she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority as a charter member of Omicron Lambda. She has remained an active member with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Omicron Lambda at UNCP for 32 years.

COVID-19 testing at UNCP

Special thanks to the Robeson County Health Department, the Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Student Health Services, Police and Public Safety, and the Division of Student Affairs for their collaboration on two drive-thru surveillance testing events on campus for faculty, staff, students and community members. These events held in August and October provided COVID-19 tests for well over 1,000 individuals at no cost.