The Black & Gold Report

September 9, 2020 | Issue 1

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.

HAPPENING ON CAMPUS

UNCP breaks enrollment record again

On the first day of classes in August, students returned to campus wearing face coverings and in noticeably different physical spaces due to COVID-19. Though those changes didn’t seem to dampen the excitement for more than 2,932 students new to UNCP. These new undergraduate and graduate students are among a record 8,262 students enrolled at UNCP this fall in a combination of online, in-person and hybrid instruction.

UNCP Receives First Patent

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke has been awarded the first patent in the university’s history for a method to treat Alzheimer’s and traumatic brain injury patients. The patent resulted from the work of Dr. Ben Bahr, William C. Friday Chair and Distinguished Professor, and his team at the UNCP Biotechnology Center. Recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on neurodegenerative diseases, Professor Bahr is listed as inventor on the patent.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Stephanie Chavis '87

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice 1987

After earning her degree, Stephanie pursued a career with Emergency Management. Less than a year into her career, she learned what Emergency Management meant when Hurricane Hugo made landfall in 1989. During this storm, Stephanie helped to man phones on the dirt floor of the basement of the county courthouse. After a lengthy career, she was appointed Emergency Management director and county fire marshal of Robeson County in 2014. Just two short years after her appointment, she was faced with Hurricane Matthew, followed by Hurricanes Florence and Dorian. In 2020, Stephanie has helped navigate the county's response to COVID-19. Read more