UNC Pembroke News

Jacob Worriax (seated with hat) surrounded by his parents UNCP alumni James and Jessica Worriax and several family members
May 11

UNCP's Hok Nosai rallies behind alumni's family

What began as a nagging cough four months ago turned into devastating news for UNC Pembroke alumni James and Jessica Worriax and their 16-year-old son, Jacob. Tests revealed a tumor in Jacob's chest. On New Year's Eve 2021, doctors diagnosed Jacob with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He spent nine days in the hospital, including several days in the intensive care unit. Jacob is undergoing chemotherapy, which resulted in significant weight loss. "Mentally, he is doing really well," James Worriax said. "He is handling it much better than I would have at his age."

Maddie Schwenneker, left, with her brother Mason Schwenneker
May 06

Brother, sister making an impact on residence life at UNCP

Maddie and Mason Schwenneker are getting the rare opportunity of experiencing college life at UNC Pembroke together. The Holly Springs siblings have immersed themselves in campus life, and they both go above and beyond as resident advisors (RA) to ensure housing residents, likewise, embrace the campus living experience. This week, their efforts were recognized when the pair was presented with the RA of the Year and New RA of the Year awards at the Housing & Residence Life’s end-of-the-year banquet.

Mace Velarde, Bryan Martinez, Caleb Locklear (co-captain), Sydney Allen, Alex Velarde (captain), Micah Ferguson, Benjamin Savage
May 05

UNCP places third in First Nations national rocket competition

UNC Pembroke placed third in the Mars Challenge at the 13th annual First Nations Launch National Rocket Competition in Wisconsin April on 22-24 in Wisconsin. The competition is open to students attending a tribal college or university, a Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI), or members of an active American Indian Science and Engineering Society collegiate chapter. Students designed, built and flew a high-powered rocket launched at the Richard Bong State Recreational Area.

Taliyah Daniels, De’maurion Shelley, Jacob Alvarez, and Yamil Hernandez-Sanchez
May 04

UNC Pembroke's SGA earn Delegation of the Year

UNC Pembroke is fulfilling its mission of fostering, promoting and cultivating student leadership. The UNC System recently recognized those concerted efforts as UNCP was awarded Delegation of the Year accolades at the UNC System Association of Student Governments meeting. The award is bestowed annually on one institution's delegation for exemplary service to the association to recognize those whose contributions have been instrumental to the success of the association.

May 04

UNCP's DeWhitt Locklear earns prestigious Presser Scholar Award

The UNC Pembroke Department of Music hosted its 20th annual Honors Recital on Tuesday, in Moore Hall Auditorium, featuring student performances, award presentations and a tribute to a retiring faculty member. The most prestigious of the 13 named awards, the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award of $4,000, was presented to DeWhitt Locklear, a junior music industry major and flutist.

Service Awards
May 03

UNCP faculty and staff recognized for years of service

For nearly 40 years, UNC Pembroke has been a second home for Donna Strickland. After earning her degree from UNCP in 1983, Strickland began working in the campus bookstore. However, much of her career has been spent as a vital member of the Office of Human Resources, where she has advanced to deputy chief HR officer.

Undergraduate researchers Minh Giang (left) and Ashton Tillett
April 30

Back in Person: PURC Symposium Draws a Crowd

The 16th Annual UNC Pembroke Undergraduate Research and Creativity (PURC) symposium attracted a lively crowd to the Livermore Library, where students showcased their research and creative works. It was the first time since the start of the COVID pandemic that the PURC symposium was held in person. Dr. Brandon Sanderson (Interim Director of PURC) and Dr. Richard Gay (Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences) welcomed the audience to the symposium, which was held on April 20th.

From left: Sen. Pro Tempore Phi Berger, Sally Thomas, Jim Thomas, Gov. Roy Cooper, Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings, First Lady Rebecca Cummings and House Speaker Tim Moore
April 28

UNCP celebrates opening of James A. Thomas Hall

Under a beautiful blue sky, nearly 400 guests, including dozens of local and state officials, celebrated the opening of the James A. Thomas Hall––a state-of-the-art facility where UNC Pembroke is preparing future business leaders of our region. The new building––home to the Thomas School of Business––will drive the university’s efforts to continue building an educated workforce in southeastern North Carolina.

April 25

UNCP expands partnerships with ECU

Students graduating from UNC Pembroke have been eager to continue their education in our state’s top graduate schools, and ECU is an obvious choice. For years, and in many other programs, UNCP students have been admitted to ECU for master’s- and doctorate-level studies. Academic leaders from both institutions recently met at ECU to ink a new agreement which expands previous arrangements and promises to expand further.

Ribbon Cutting to be held Wednesday, April 27, 2022
April 21

Ribbon-cutting ceremony set for James A. Thomas Hall at UNCP

UNC Pembroke will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly opened James A. Thomas Hall at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Governor Roy Cooper will be among hundreds of invitees attending the ceremony in front of the state-of-the-art, $38 million facility and home of the Thomas School of Business. Other guest speakers include North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger.