The Black & Gold

September 23 | Issue 3 | Black & Gold 2020

Alumni & friends,

Welcome to the Black & Gold Report, 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

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

UNCP participating in COVID-19 research through NC Policy Collaboratory partnership

UNC Pembroke is developing a model that will enhance understanding of how COVID-19 spreads through rural settings.

The research identifies and examines the factors that might contribute to the rapid transmission rates in these areas, including residents’ need to travel beyond county boundaries for employment opportunities; strained health care resources; and the lack of industry and infrastructure that reliably support remote employment.

Jessica Collogan named Dean of Library Services

Jessica Collogan, an accomplished research library leader, has been named Dean of Library Services at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Collogan’s appointment was approved unanimously by the Board of Trustees.

She brings more than 20 years of unique experience in corporate, academic, public and special libraries as well as learning resource centers, most recently serving as director of the Carl Swisher Library at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Kenneth Locklear'75

Bachelor of Science in Biology 1975

Dr. Kenneth E. Locklear earned a biology degree from UNCP in 1975 and went on the graduate from UNC School of Medicine at Chapel Hill in 1979.

Locklear returned home to Robeson County to open Robeson Family Practice with Dr. Herman Chavis, also a 1975 UNCP graduate. They have served Robeson and surrounding counties for more than 37 years.

In all that time, they have not experienced anything like Covid-19. They continue to see patients while implementing the CDC’s recommended precautions.

James A. Thomas Hall at UNCP Taking Shape

You may not have visited campus lately, but great progress is taking shape as the new James A. Thomas Hall to house the Thomas School of Business continues construction. The university celebrated the Topping Out ceremony over the summer, and we can't wait to hold our first classes in the building next Fall!