The Black & Gold

March 26, 2021 | Issue 23 | 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 make that possible and sustain 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

Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society inducts 55 members at UNCP

UNC Pembroke inducted 55 adult and nontraditional students to the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society–the largest class in more than a decade. A virtual induction ceremony was held on March 23.

LeAnn Strickland Melvin, assistant director of Academic Outreach served as the keynote speaker. Melvin shared her story of transferring to UNCP and overcoming many obstacles as an adult and nontraditional student.

Alpha Sigma Lambda is devoted to the advancement of scholarship and recognition of nontraditional students continuing their education.

HAPPENING ON CAMPUS

Senior capstone exhibition 'Frames of Reference' on display at UNCP

The senior capstone exhibition Frames of Reference featuring UNC Pembroke art students Stephanie Breault, Catherine Palmer and Autumn Roush is on display at the A.D. Gallery.

“These perceptions are influenced by the artists’ frames of reference which consist of personal beliefs, values, experiences and much more. Artists see our world differently; thus, when observing their works, you’ll find a window looking into how these artists’ frames of reference build their perception of the world,” Breault said.

The exhibition will continue through April 6. In this exhibition, artworks of various media reveal the world in the way that these artists perceive it, according to A.D. Gallery Director Joseph Begnaud.

UNCP’s Ashley McMillan recognized nationally for her Indigenous higher education research

Ashley McMillan, American Indian liaison to the chancellor at UNC Pembroke, was recently recognized for her dissertation research in higher education.

Dr. McMillan is the 2021 recipient of the Indigenous Peoples Knowledge Community (IPKC) Outstanding Research Award. She was presented the award during the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ virtual conference March 17-26.

Her research focused on how campuses could create culturally engaging environments for American Indian students to increase their sense of belonging and persistence to graduation.

Alumni Spotlight: Linda Council '16

After earning a biology degree at UNCP in 2016, Linda Council decided to place her medical school plans on hold. However, she has not been idle. To prepare for a career as a doctor, she has spent the last four years gaining real-world experience as a first responder.

“It has been a rewarding and humbling experience,” she said. “Having the opportunity to treat trauma patients and to render care to individuals at their most vulnerable moment is both challenging and rewarding.

“As a physician, I will have the ability to connect with EMS workers by understanding and appreciating their responsibility in the treatment of patients outside of the hospital setting,”

A native of White Oak, N.C., Council received a degree in biology with a biomedical emphasis and has been admitted into the UNC School of Medicine. Her goal is to practice as an emergency medicine physician or OBGYN. She plans to return to Robeson County and serve the people of the community.

Choose to be a BRAVE.

We may measure success differently but our paths all start with a choice. Believe in your dreams. Believe in yourself. Dream bigger. Reach higher. Go farther. Choose quality. Choose opportunity. Choose experience. Whatever success means to you, you can get there from here. Choose UNC Pembroke. Choose to be a BRAVE.