UNC Pembroke Announces 2025 Alumni Award Recipients
UNC Pembroke will honor three distinguished alumni for their outstanding accomplishments and service at the 57th Annual Alumni Awards and Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Center Annex.
This annual Homecoming tradition recognizes graduates who exemplify the spirit of BraveNation through their leadership, community engagement and professional success.
Distinguished Alumnus Award
Newy Scruggs ’94
An 18-time Emmy Award-winning sportscaster, Scruggs has built a prolific career in sports
broadcasting since 1992, with stops in South Carolina, Texas, Ohio and California.
He currently serves as sports director at NBC 5 in Dallas-Fort Worth and was inducted
into the Lone Star Chapter’s Sports Emmy Silver Circle. A generous supporter of student
success, Scruggs established two scholarships at UNCP and has served two terms on
the university’s Board of Trustees.
Meritorious Service Award
Dr. Sandra Locklear ’84
For 35 years, Dr. Locklear has owned and operated Pembroke Optometric Clinic, providing
quality eye care in her hometown. A committed community servant, she has conducted
international mission work, including providing eye exams in the Philippines during
the pandemic. She actively supports UNCP Athletics events like Youth Night and Faith
and Communities Night. She earned her Doctor of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College
of Optometry.
Young Alumna Award
Dr. Alexandria Pilot Chambers ’09, ’14
Dr. Chambers serves as assistant director of operations in the Center for Neurobiology
Research at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion. For
nearly a decade, she has overseen undergraduate and high school summer research programs and supported institute-wide operations and events. In addition, she is a lecturer
for Virginia Tech’s Translational Biology, Medicine and Health graduate program and
has presented her research on reproductive health and education at national conferences.
She is an active speaker on women’s leadership and translational research. She has
also partnered with the university’s Office of Admissions on recruitment efforts.
These award winners embody the very best of BraveNation. Through their professional achievements, dedication to service and unwavering commitment to our community, they inspire current students, alumni and all of us who are proud to call UNC Pembroke home.
"Celebrating their accomplishments reminds us of the lasting impact our alumni have on the world and the bright future they continue to build for generations to come,” said Dr. Robin Gary Cummings, chancellor of UNC Pembroke.
The event will also celebrate inductees into the UNCP Athletics Hall of Fame, which has recognized outstanding student-athletes, coaches and administrators since 1980. This year’s 46th Hall of Fame class includes former standout athletes and coaches whose achievements have elevated UNCP’s tradition of excellence on and off the field. Full details on the 2025 inductees are available in the official Athletics announcement.
To register for the ceremony, visit uncp.edu/gpacevents. For more information and a list of other Homecoming events, visit uncp.edu/aahof.