The Black & Gold

October 12 | Issue 6 | 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

Maynor Honors Scholarships create opportunity

Bricen Duff and Abigail Parnell are UNC Pembroke’s 2020 Maynor Honors College scholars. Considered the most prestigious four-year scholarship, the Maynor Honors Scholarship pays tuition, fees, books, room and board and is named for the late Esther G. Maynor, a Pembroke native and one of the university’s biggest supporters.

The scholarship was first awarded in 2007.

As members of the Honors College, Duff and Parnell benefit from interdisciplinary seminars and discipline-specific honors courses taught by distinguished faculty members.

“I am so pleased that the Esther G. Maynor Scholarship can support Abigail Parnell and Bricen Duff. They are outstanding, deserving students, and I look forward to following their careers at UNCP as Maynor Honors Scholars. I’m sure we can look forward to great things from them as they pursue their interests and discover new ones in the years ahead,” said Dr. Teagan Decker, dean of the Maynor Honors College.

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

Star-Studded Virtual Case Bash set for October 13-17

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.

UNCP alumnus James Ayars and wife, Jennifer expand family scholarship

Former school teachers James and Jennifer Ayars understand firsthand the value of higher education and how it can shape students’ career path.

Three years ago, they established the Ayars Family Endowed Scholarship at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Recently, they expanded the gift, bringing the total investment to $50,000 to support an award for a second UNCP student majoring in STEM and cyber security fields.

“James and Jennifer have been steadfast supporters of UNCP over the past years,” said Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings.

“Their enthusiasm for UNCP is clearly evident in any conversation. As our university grows, the need for private support for our students to pursue their educational goals has likewise dramatically increased. What better investment than in a student’s life, a life that will in a very real way, carry on the Ayars’ influence and impact into the next generation.”

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Katherine Janine Oxendine

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in Public Administration and Policy

Katherine previously served as the program coordinator for the Adolescent Parenting Program. This position allowed her to work closely with teen mothers and assist them in attaining the skills to earn a better education while being an active parent.

Katherine currently serves as the preparedness coordinator for the Robeson County Health Department. Katherine is responsible for maintaining the Preparedness and Response policies while also assisting with the implementation of new procedures, when needed, and aiding in preparation when a disaster occurs in the county.

Distinguished Speaker Series Presents Joy Harjo, U.S. Poet Laureate

In case you missed the Distinguished Speaker Series event earlier this fall, you can still view the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States, Joy Harjo, as she addresses BraveNation!