The Black & Gold

February 19, 2021 | Issue 19 | Black & Gold 2021

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

#WeAreUNCP Day of Giving Set for March 2

Next month, on March 2, UNCP hopes to break all previous records to support student scholarship and achievement. The annual #WeAreUNCP Day of Giving campaign is making its return with new goals and generous donors already committed.

“It is no coincidence that the #WeAreUNCP campaign is being held the week of UNCP’s Founder’s Day,” said Steve Varley, UNCP Vice Chancellor for Advancement. “Our commitment to honoring UNCP’s historic mission of access and affordability is stronger today than ever before. This campaign is centered on ensuring all students have the opportunity and resources needed for them to succeed on campus and in life.”

Varley says this year, more than ever, high-achieving students need support to help remove financial barriers to their success—many of which are the result of pandemic-related impacts.

“UNCP has built important programs that keep a great education accessible. But finances still stand in the way of too many students’ aspirations. An important pillar of the 2021 Day of Giving efforts will be the UNCP Student Financial Aid Fund – 100% of those gifts go directly to student financial aid so barriers hold no one back from their dreams.”

A number of donors have already generously pledged challenge gifts to unlock throughout the day totaling nearly $20,000. Each of the four challenge gifts will be unlocked when a specific number of donors is reached throughout the campaign.

HAPPENING ON CAMPUS

UNCP to hold mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics

In the coming weeks, nursing students from UNC Pembroke will be getting plenty of practical experience in the field. The university was recently approved as a new COVID-19 vaccine provider in an effort to increase the availability of the vaccine in Robeson County.

“Vaccinating our community against COVID is a critical way we can protect each other, and UNC Pembroke is proud to take part in these important efforts,” said UNCP Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings. “Barriers to access exist in our communities and the goal with our mobile clinics is to remove obstacles and making sure the vaccine is available to everyone.

“Having recently received my second dose, I am highly encouraged by our progress in Robeson County and am honored to continue our partnership with the Health Department in the fight against this virus.”

County Health Director Bill Smith is grateful for the extra shots in the community.

UNCP earns Military Friendly School designation for 11th consecutive year

UNC Pembroke announced recently it has earned the 2021-2022 Military Friendly® School designation, considered the gold standard by military members.

While UNCP has earned Military Friendly designation from GI Jobs every year since 2010, this year UNCP’s designation is a “gold” status, reflecting the continuing efforts to support military students.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey.

Over 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-2022 survey with 747 earning a designation, however only 15% earning gold status. The 2021-2022 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at militaryfriendly.com/.

Honoring UNCP's First Chancellor, Dr. English E. Jones

An excerpt from the 1981 Commencement Ceremony presenting the university's first honorary doctorate to former Chancellor English E. Jones. Dr. Jones served as the third President of Pembroke State College (later UNCP) and as the first Chancellor.