The Black & Gold

October 7 | Issue 5 | 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

Engle Revels Participates in UNC System Leadership Program

Engle Revels, director of Admissions at UNC Pembroke, has been selected to the first cohort of the UNC System Executive Leadership Institute. Revels, a three-time graduate of UNCP, joined the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in 2016 as an assistant director. She assumed the director position in 2019.

She was among 24 participants selected to the program designed to build the next generation of top leadership from within the UNC System. The 10-month program will focus on providing an overall view of the UNC System and leadership opportunities.

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.

Due to COVID-19 health and safety restrictions in place, the university has postponed plans for Homecoming 2020 and may consider some virtual opportunities for engagement. Read more

HAPPENING ON CAMPUS

National Science Foundation awards $86,880 to UNCP

The National Science Foundation has awarded UNC Pembroke a grant of $86,880 to develop computer simulations which may be used to test new methods of treating neuromuscular diseases.

This project, entitled “Presynaptic structure-function relationships that control AP waveforms, calcium ion, entry, and transmitter release at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs)” will be led at UNCP by Dr. Bob Poage, professor of biology.

Town of Pembroke receives grant to improve downtown, connect to university

A $5.2 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant has been awarded to the Town of Pembroke. The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant is to be used for much-needed infrastructure improvements, primarily in the downtown district of the Town.

Town and North Carolina Department of Transportation funding will join the BUILD grant award for a total estimated project cost of $6.69 million. The bulk of the funding will be used for new multi-modal transportation improvements and increased interconnectivity infrastructure in downtown Pembroke with the goal of creating a safer, more pedestrian-friendly area for residents and visitors. The project will safely connect the university to downtown.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Chris Peterkin'13

Bachelor of Science in Communications 2013

A native of Troy, NC, Chris Peterkin is humbled to be the Alumni Association President and is committed to strengthening the bond between the university and alumni. His objectives and goals during his tenure of office will be three-pronged – passion, provision and purpose.

“Passion is having the love for the university. Provision relates to giving back your time and resources and, lastly, remembering your purpose when you were a student and now as an alum.”

Peterkin is a loan compliance officer in Raleigh. Raised by a family of college graduates, Peterkin chose UNCP because it offered the diversity he was in search of. He studied broadcasting and was heavily involved on campus as a member of the marching band, Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), and Phi Mu Alpha, a student music organization.

UNC Pembroke's College of Health Sciences

We are excited and proud to be UNCP’s newest degree-granting college. Four departments, whose programs each have vibrant histories as members of this academic community, join to enhance interprofessional learning opportunities for our students..