
Blossom Edoh accepted to Duke University’s clinical research gap program
Senior Biology student Blossom (Chinemerem) Edoh will be heading to Duke University shortly after the conclusion of the spring semester. With a baccalaureate degree in hand, she’ll be joining the Bridging the Gap to Enhance Clinical Research (BIGGER) Program, a six-month program that immerses talented students in high-quality research experiences during their gap year following college graduation.

Biology students present research at regional science conference
Four UNC Pembroke undergraduates presented research posters during a regional conference -- the 84th Annual Meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists (ASB). Three of these students, Sydney Allen, Jacqueline Swann and Limari Vasquez, researched the effects of medicinal plant extracts on the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans in Dr. Courtney Alexander’s lab. Hunter Ivey studied dietary relationships between fire ants and their potential insect mutualists and was co-mentored by Drs. Kaitlin Campbell and Lisa Kelly.

UNCP’s Cherry Maynor Beasley named recipient of 2022 James Holshouser Award for Excellence in Public Service
Dr. Cherry Maynor Beasley of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke received the 2022 James E. Holshouser Award for Excellence in Public Service during Thursday’s meeting of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors. The award honors faculty who exemplify the University’s commitment to service and community engagement. Created in 2007 and renamed in 2013 to honor former Gov. James E. Holshouser, Jr., the award was designed to “encourage, identify, recognize and reward public service by employees of the University.”

UNC Pembroke exploring optometry program
UNC Pembroke was recently granted permission by the University of North Carolina System to move forward with a proposal to establish the state’s first school of optometry. If approved by the UNC System Board of Governors, the school would be the anchor program of UNCP’s health sciences building which the state has already earmarked $91 million for construction. The UNCP Board of Trustees endorsed the plan during its meeting last week.

UNCP art history students present at SUNY New Paltz Art History Symposium
Three UNC Pembroke art history students were among the presenters at the 2023 SUNY New Paltz Undergraduate Art History Symposium, which was held virtually April 13-16. The State University of New York symposium, a highly recognized conference for undergraduate students in the discipline, accepted papers submitted by Maggie Trimpe, Brennan Jenkins and Nairobi Lewis.

Lois C. Lewis Endowed Scholarship will aid non-traditional, local students
Storytelling wasn’t her profession, but Lois Lewis could tell a story with the best of them. “She told a good story,” said Tom Lewis of his late wife. “She came from a family of good storytellers and was brought up with the art.”

Dr. Robinson awarded counselor educator excellence award
Dr. Stephanie Robinson, an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling at UNC Pembroke, has been awarded the 2023 Addictions/Offender Counselor Educator Excellence Award.

UNCP dedicates Student Commons in honor of Dr. Ben Hardin '65
Dr. Ben Hardin was a Pembroke native and a trailblazer who left an indelible mark on Robeson County through his decades of practice as a physician. A 1965 graduate of Pembroke State College, Hardin was the first American Indian student to attend medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He mentored countless students, especially Native Americans, who dreamed of an education and giving back to their communities.

UNCP students serve Indigenous communities in Baltimore during Alternative Spring Break
More than a dozen UNC Pembroke students immersed themselves in service projects and leadership-building activities as part of an alternative spring break experience in Baltimore March 6-10. Students and staff partnered with several community-based organizations, spending a week volunteering at the Baltimore American Indian Center, Native American LifeLines, Breath of Life Lutheran Church and Baltimore Safe Haven. Baltimore is home to many Lumbee tribal members who migrated north after World War II seeking jobs.

Broadway's record-breaking musical Chicago coming to GPAC
Chicago is celebrating its 25th Anniversary Tour that arrives at Givens Performing Arts Center on the campus of UNC Pembroke on April 27. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for Chicago are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online at uncp.edu/gpac or by phone at 910.521.6361. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more, UNCP alumni and students. For more information, call the ticket office. The show is sponsored by Robeson County Arts Council.