UNCP renames building in honor of Chancellor Emeritus Joe Oxendine
Chancellor Emeritus Joe Oxendine helped transform UNC Pembroke and his legacy lives on in his commitment to education, his community and the university he cherished. One of the major accomplishments during his tenure was the official name change to UNC Pembroke. The Board of Trustees voted last week to rename West Hall in honor of Oxendine. The 40,840-square-foot state-of-the-art facility recently completed a $13.6 million renovation and will be known as the Dr. Joseph B. Oxendine Administrative Building.
UNC Pembroke alumni magazine wins state award
UNC Pembroke's alumni magazine was awarded the Award of Excellence at the North Carolina Public Relations Society of America's (NCPRSA) annual InSpire Awards ceremony. UNCP Today won the Bronze Award in the magazine category. The annual awards recognize the best public relations campaigns and tactics for the previous year in North Carolina.
Enrollment hits all-time high, despite pandemic
Enrollment has hit an all-time high as more students choose UNC Pembroke as their college of choice. The upward trend comes as the Office of Admissions overcame challenges with limited campus visitors and travel restrictions due to the pandemic. UNCP is experiencing record enrollment for the fourth year in a row, according to university census data. Enrollment for Fall 2021 stands at 8,319, a 0.7% increase compared with Fall 2020. Over the last five years, UNCP has seen a 32% spike in overall enrollment.
Beloved longtime administrator Dr. Charles Jenkins remembered
The UNC Pembroke campus and community is mourning the loss of Dr. Charles Jenkins, former provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. At the time of his retirement in 2018, Jenkins was one of UNCP’s longest-serving administrators and faculty members. He served in many capacities since 1971, including 26 years in senior administrative posts and interim chancellor from 2009 to 2010. Jenkins passed away on August 27.
UNC Pembroke welcomes new members of the Board of Trustees
Four new members–Michelle Ingram, Randall Jones, Kenneth Robinette and Dana Hunt-Locklear–have joined the Board of Trustees at UNC Pembroke. Ingram was appointed by the North Carolina Senate president pro temp. The UNC Board of Governors appointed Jones and Robinette. Each has been appointed to a four-year term. Locklear, the Student Body President, will serve as an ex-officio member of the board for 2021-2022. “We are honored to welcome our four new members of the Board of Trustees,” said Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings.
Dr. Richard Gay appointed dean of College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Richard Gay has been promoted to dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Gay brings 30 years of proven leadership, research and teaching experience in higher education, including the last 17 years at UNCP. He has served as interim dean since July 2020. He has served in several key leadership roles, most recently as senior associate dean and, prior to that, chair of the art department.
Rawan Abumohsen accepted into optometry program at Salus University
Rawan Abumohsen, a Fall 2020 graduate of UNCP, has been accepted into Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. Abumohsen, who earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, was an active member of several academic organizations including the Maynor Honors College, Alpha Chi National Honors Society, Muslim Students Association, Health Careers Club and Student Honors Council, where she served as president.