his mark on UNCP
Like all other days at the University, Chancellor Allen C.
Meadors could be found in his office, working.
On July 1, he was sitting at the president's desk of his
alma mater, the University of Central Arkansas. It was an
offer to go home that Dr. Meadors could not refuse.
"In the beginning, I thought we would be here 3-5
years, but this has been such a wonderful place," Chancel-
lor Meadors told an audience gathered to say goodbye.
The Meadors had purchased a home nearby, and Chan-
cellor Meadors moved his parents to the area. It appeared
to everyone, including the Chancellor, that he would be in
Pembroke until retirement.
Two scholarships were established in his honor, one
athletic and one academic. An endowed professorship in
mathematics was named for him and funded through the
C.D. Spangler Foundation.
Dr. Meadors was awarded Chancellor Emeritus status
on July 1 by the Board of Trustees, undoubtedly the fastest
such designation in the history of the institution.
With wife, Barbara, at his side, Dr. Meadors bid a
tearful goodbye during a dinner in his honor. He thanked
Barbara for helping make Pembroke a home for the family.
Mrs. Meadors did much more than that - welcoming
the entire UNCP family to the Chancellor's Residence for
many events that became traditions, including the Alumni
Holiday Drop-in, International Students Night, the Ambas-
sadors Christmas tree decorating, and much more.
Barbara Meadors orchestrated the decorations at the
Chancellor's Residence and was instrumental in beautify-
ing the entire campus, which has drawn rave reviews far
and wide. She will be remembered for setting a high stan-
dard for entertainment at the University.
Chancellor Meadors' 10-year tenure was highlighted
by growth in enrollment and programs, construction, the
return of football and an ever more beautiful campus. He
touched virtually everything and left every corner better
than he found it.
Chancellor Meadors knew that UNCP was a diamond
in the rough and proved it to the rest of us. As new
"Lots of opportunities here," Chancellor Meadors said
early in his tenure. He made the most of them.
The facts of the Meadors era are well documented. But
what is the Meadors' legacy?
Here are some thoughts from alumni, faculty and
friends:
committee that brought Allen Meadors here. There was a
lot of pressure to hire a local person. One of the most tell-
ing things he did right away was send his boys to Purnell
Swett High School. I thought we picked the right guy, and
it turned out well. He's been a friend, and he will always
be a friend."
hiring: "He was the right man at the right time with the
right vision. I recall a comment he made early on about
Pembroke being an hour and a half from the largest city
in North Carolina but had only a handful of its students.
He said he would take this University forward and make
it known in this state. When we voted to approve football,
I don't think any of us knew how positive an impact it
would have. It's affected everything from alumni to giving
to our wider reputation. And athletics was only a small
part of what he did here."