The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP), also known as UNC Pembroke, is a public, co-educational, historically American Indian liberal arts university in the town of Pembroke in Robeson County, North Carolina, United States. UNC Pembroke is a master's level degree-granting university and one of 17 schools that constitute the University of North Carolina system.
History
The educational institution that developed into the early 21st century UNC Pembroke has its origins in the circumstances of the post Civil War South. This school was a part of the effort of the Lumbee Nation in North Carolina to preserve their unique identity. Access and authority over their own educational system was understood to be of key importance to retaining Lumbee culture, instilling a sense of pride, and to improving the groups economic and social conditions.
Croatan Normal School was created by the General Assembly on March 7, 1887 in response to a local petition, sponsored by North Carolina Representative Hamilton McMillian of Robeson County. This event occurred in the context of competition for support between the Democratic and Republican parties on North Carolina. Hamilton MacMillian's support for the school was connected to his personnel interest and research on Native American history and culture. The school's initial name, Croatan Normal School, was selected in accordance with the debatable view that this tribe were descendants of the Outer Banks Lost Colony of Sir Walter Raleigh.
Fifteen students and one teacher composed the initial complement. With the goal of training American Indian public school teachers. Initially enrollment was limited to the American Indians of Robeson County. In this period school enrollment was often quite limited among the general population. Funding by the state was patchy at best and there was high level of illiteracy. The creation of a centralized training school for teachers was thought to be the best method of addressing this problem in the given circumstances.
In 1909, the school moved to its present location, about a mile east of the original site. The name was changed in 1911 to the Indian Normal School of Robeson County, and again in 1913 to the Cherokee Indian Normal School of Robeson County, tracking the legislature's designation for the Indians of the county, who at one time claimed Cherokee descent. In 1926 the school became a two-year post-secondary normal school; until then it had provided only primary and secondary instruction.
In 1939 it became a four-year institution, and in 1941 was renamed Pembroke State College for Indians. The next year, the school began to offer bachelor's degrees in disciplines other than teaching. In 1945 the college was opened to members of all federally recognized tribes. A change of name to Pembroke State College in 1949 presaged the admission of white students, which was approved in 1953 for up to forty percent of total enrollment. The Brown v. Board of Education ruling the following year by the United States Supreme Court ended race restrictions at the college. Between 1939 and 1953, Pembroke State was the only state supported four-year college for Indians in the United States.
In 1969 the college became Pembroke State University, a regional university that was incorporated into the University of North Carolina system in 1972. The first master's degree program was implemented in 1978. On July 1, 1996, Pembroke State University became the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
In recent years, the university's profile has been heightened as the result of a statewide advertising campaign, in which billboards, radio and television advertisements have touted UNCP as a place "where learning gets personal," due to small class sizes, among other factors.
On March 14, 2012, UNC Pembroke began a 14-month celebration of its 125th anniversary, to conclude with the spring 2013 Commencement ceremonies in May 2013.
Campus
The University's campus is situated just north of Pembroke, located directly behind N.C. Highway 711. Interstate 74 is located just minutes from campus, as is Interstate 95. The center of campus is considered to be the Chavis University Center (often referred to as the University Center, or the UC). Students can bowl, play pool and related games, or just hang out in the lounge. The dining hall, as well as Bert's Cafe, which houses the newly opened World of Wings cafe and wingery, as well as SubConnection, are located in the UC.
The UC lawn, an open grass area in front of the UC, is where students play amateur sports, read on benches, or use the area for free speech. Faculty Row, a thoroughfare for university traffic, essentially divides the campus into east and west sections. The eastern side of campus includes the Livermore Library, Oxendine Science Building, Old Main, and Wellons Hall, among other buildings. The campus on the west side has the Business Administration Building, Education Center, and most of the residence hall communities. Lumbee Hall, the Dial Humanities building, the Sampson building, Auxiliary building, the Jones Athletic Center, and the Givens Performing Arts Center make up most of the north end of campus.
New to campus is Cypress Hall, a residence hall, which opened in August 2011. In addition, the Health Sciences Building, which houses Papa John's Pizza, Einstein Brothers' Bagels, and the nursing program, opened in August 2012. Many additions and renovations have taken place on campus beginning in 2000, when an education bond was passed. Construction is set to continue on campus past 2007.
The Givens Performing Arts Center hosts numerous Broadway shows, orchestras, shows geared towards children, and also hosts the "Distinguished Speaker Series," in cooperation with the Association of Campus Entertainment, which has brought in notable people such as Cory Booker, Bill Nye, Jodi Sweetin, Patch Adams, Gabby Douglas and Hill Harper, among many others.
Organization
The title of Principal or Superintendent was used prior to 1940. After 1940, when UNC Pembroke became a collegiate-level institution, the title of President was used. Upon becoming a member institution of the University of North Carolina system, the title was changed to Chancellor.
Presidents
- Dr. O. H. Browne (1940â€"1942)
- Dr. Ralph D. Wellons (1942â€"1956)
- Dr. Walter J. Gale (1956â€"1962)
- Dr. English E. Jones (1962â€"1972)
Chancellors
- Dr. English E. Jones (1972â€"1979)
- Dr. Paul R. Givens (1979â€"1989)
- Dr. Joseph P. Oxendine (1989â€"1999)
- Dr. Allen C. Meadors (1999-2009)
- Dr. Charles R. Jenkins (2009â€"2010)
- Dr. Kyle R. Carter (2010â€"2015)
- Dr. Robin G. Cummings (2015â€"present)
Academics
UNC Pembroke offers 41 bachelor's and 17 master's degrees, and is organized into the College of Arts and Sciences along with the Schools of Business, Education, and Graduate Studies.
College of Arts and Sciences
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- American Indian Studies
- Art
- Biology
- Chemistry and Physics
- English and Theatre
- Foreign Languages
- Geology and Geography
- History
- Mass Communications
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Music
- Nursing
- Philosophy and Religion
- Political Science
- Psychology and Counseling
- Public Administration
- Social Work
- Sociology and Criminal Justice
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- Accounting and Information Technology
- Economics, Finance and Decision Sciences
- Management, Marketing and International Business
School of Education
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- Aerospace Studies (Air Force ROTC)
- Education Specialties
- Elementary Education
- Health, Physical Education and Recreation
- Military Science (Army ROTC)
- Professional Pedagogy and Research
- School Administration and Counseling
- Teacher Education Program
- Recreation Management
School of Graduate Studies
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- Art Education
- Business Administration
- Elementary Education
- English Education
- Mathematics Education
- Middle Grades Education
- Music Education
- Physical Education
- Public Administration
- Reading Education
- School Administration
- School Counseling
- Science Education
- Service Agency Counseling
- Social Studies Education
- Social Work
- Teaching
Students and faculty
UNCP offers small class sizes; the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1, and classes average 20 students. In addition, classes are taught exclusively by professors, instructors, or other faculty. There are no classes on campus taught by graduate assistants. This is where the University's motto "Where learning gets personal" comes from. In spring 2009, the school had an enrollment of 6,433 students; of these, 5,699 students were undergraduate, and 734 were graduate students. The school also has 326 full-time faculty.
Ratings
In the U.S. News and World Report "America's Best Colleges and Universities 2008," UNCP finished 1st among North Carolina public universities for the percentage of classes under 20 students. UNCP also finished 1st among North Carolina's public universities for the percentage of international students enrolled in the university. For ethnic diversity, UNCP finished first in the South and in North Carolina for universities and tied for sixth among national universities. UNCP also finished fourth in terms of affordability. UNCP was also named on The Princeton Review "2008 Best Colleges: Region by Region" in the Southeastern region for the third consecutive year.
Sports, clubs, and traditions
Athletics
UNC Pembroke's athletic teams are known as the Braves. Due to its heritage as an institution founded for the benefit of American Indians and support from the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, the school has largely been immune to the ongoing controversies related to American Indian-themed nicknames and mascots.
The school is a member of the NCAA's Division II and competes in the Peach Belt Conference, with the exceptions of football and wrestling, in which it competes as an independent. The school fields 16 varsity sports teams.
Greek life and student organizations
UNCP, as well as the Office of Greek Life and the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership, offer a variety of extracurricular activities for students. From academic-based and service organizations, to minority organizations and Greek life, UNCP offers organizations geared towards the student's specific needs.
Traditions
School Colors
- Since at least 1944, UNCP's official colors have been black and gold, though the color gold has been associated with the school since the 1920s.
Braves and the Red-tailed Hawk
- UNC Pembroke's athletic nickname is the Braves while its mascot is the red-tailed hawk. Athletic teams have had the nickname Bravesâ€"a term that echoes UNC Pembroke's American Indian heritageâ€"since 1946. The red-tailed hawk was added as a companion to the Brave in 1992. It is indigenous to North America and can be seen soaring high above or perching in the pine trees surrounding campus.
- American Indian traditions teach that animals were sent by the Great Creator to serve as guardians and teachers for humans; they are endowed with certain sacred qualities and powers that can be imparted to humans. The powers of specific animals are invoked by adding symbols and images on clothing and personal belongings.
- The Braves' athletic uniforms and other campus symbols are adorned with the mascot to invoke the qualities of the red-tailed hawkâ€"speed, keen sight, focus, power, hunting ability, and good luck.
Fight Song
- The music to the UNCP fight song was written by Michael Raiber, Professor of Music Education, The University of Oklahoma, in 2004.
Alma Mater: "Hail to UNCP"
- The music and lyrics to "Hail to UNCP" were written by faculty members Reba and Ira Pate Lowry in 1954.
Notable alumni
- Kelvin Sampson, NBA assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, former Washington State, University of Oklahoma and Indiana University head coach.
- Derek Brunson, 3-time Division II All-American wrestler; professional MMA fighter who formerly fought in Strikeforce now currently fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
- Brick Jackson, actor who appeared in the USA TV series Complications and was a voice actor in The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water.
- Jerry P. Lanier, Former U.S. Ambassador to Sudan and career diplomat with the U.S. Department of State.
- Pardon Ndhlovu, marathon runner from Zimbabwe, competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics and placed 41st in the men's marathon competition.
- Sascha Görres, a German footballer who currently plays for Richmond Kickers in the USL Professional Division.
Notable faculty
- Chester Dunning, specialist in history of Russia at Texas A&M University, was an assistant professor at Pembroke from 1977â€"1979
Images
References
External links
- Official website
- UNCP Athletics website