The Black & Gold

June 7, 2021 | Issue 29 | 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

UNCP remembers longtime professor Dr. James Ebert

Former UNC Pembroke professor James Ebert, a staple in the biology department who impacted the lives of countless students during his tenure that spanned nearly five decades, died recently at the age of 96.

One of the earliest and longest-serving professors in the department, Dr. Ebert taught biological science from 1956 to 2003. He served as dean of Student Affairs, assistant to the president and was a member of nearly every standing faculty committee and the Faculty Senate. He created the College Foundation, the precursor of today's UNCP Foundation and wrote and received the university's first federally funded grant. During his tenure, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree.

HAPPENING ON CAMPUS

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics to be held at UNCP

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke will be offering several opportunities over the next two months for faculty, staff, students, and the local community to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. UNCP will be providing first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

Mobile clinics will be set up in the Grace P. Johnson parking lot. Vaccinations will be administered through a partnership with UNCP and Optum Serve. There is no charge. No appointment is necessary. All registration will take place on-site.

Psi Lambda Chapter of TriBeta Biology Honor Society inducts new members at UNCP

The Psi Lambda Chapter of the TriBeta Biology Honor Society welcomed new members during its annual induction ceremony on May 6. In accordance with university COVID-19 protocols, the typical banquet ceremony was replaced with an outdoor event hosted on the Quad between Old Main and the Mary Livermore Library. Family members and faculty were invited to join a live stream of the ceremony instead of attending in person.

Susan Severson, RN, returned to UNCP to speak to new members in person. Severson spearheaded the effort and was the leading student who worked with Drs. Bruce Ezell and Lisa Kelly to establish the Psi Lambda Chapter over 18 years ago

Alumni Spotlight: Evert Garcia-Guzman, '21

Chemistry has always been Evert Garcia-Guzman’s strength academically. Guzman decided to push the boundaries and challenge himself by studying physics–a subject guaranteed to offer the academic rigor he needed.

“I had never taken a physics course, and I wanted to learn more,” he said. "The professors provided me with practical and hands-on experience and a level of challenge that pushed me to improve. Since then, I have had a blast researching with Dr. Brandon and Dr. Dooling,” Garcia-Guzman said.

Guzman, of Zebulon, N.C., graduated with cum laude honors with a degree in applied physics during spring commencement.

This fall, Guzman will further explore his newfound passion as he begins the physics Ph.D. program at the University of North Carolina. His focus will include biomedical physics.

Spring 2021 C0mmissioning Ceremony

The newest officers each commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army during the Spring 2021 Campbell Battalion Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony at UNC Pembroke. A special thanks to these alumni for choosing a life of service to your nation.