May 8, during Commencement 2010 for
613 graduates of the University.
It was an historic event that
witnessed the largest graduating class
in school history assembled for a Spring
Commencement. It was a day to chart
plans for the future for the graduates, the
University and the 17-member University
of North Carolina system.
Erskine Bowles received an honorary
Doctorate of Humane Letters. Within
six months, he will leave UNC for a
presidential appointment to co-chair
the National Commission on Fiscal
Responsibility and Reform.
UNCP is a "special university, a real
gem," he said. In his final days with the
UNC system, Bowles pledged to fight for
public higher education in North Carolina
through challenging financial times.
"I promise you that I am going to spend
every minute I've got to make sure you
have the resources needed to continue
to provide quality education at this
University," Bowles said.
Jenkins, who led the University as its
interim chancellor during the 2009-10
academic year. He said former Chancellor
Jenkins set the stage for UNCP's next
chancellor to succeed.
"Chancellor Kyle Carter will be a
tremendous asset for this University,"
Bowles said. "He is going to take this
University to the next level."
Dr. Jenkins also acknowledged leaving
the University at a crossroads.
"Over the next few weeks, there will
be much discussion regarding budgetary
matters ... there will be tough decisions,"
former Chancellor Jenkins said. "I hope
that everyone at this Commencement
today recognizes the value of this
institution and the UNC system in the
educational and economic development
of our region and state."
If North Carolina and UNCP's
graduates "continue making daily choices
aimed at achieving our goals ... (we) will
revel in the joy of lives lived wisely," he
said.
Commencement speaker Judge James
W. Oxendine has lived an exemplary
life. From Fairmont, N.C., he became
the first Lumbee Indian to graduate from
law school and the first American Indian
admitted to the Georgia Bar and to argue a
case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
"I hope you will not forget where you
came from," Judge Oxendine advised. "It's
great to be from North Carolina and great
to be from Robeson County."
The retired Superior Court judge, who
counts one semester at UNCP on his
resume, said times may be challenging,
but "don't let anyone tell you that you
cannot succeed.
"Remember that the difference
between mediocre and good is not much,"
Judge Oxendine continued. "I realized if
I worked harder and did better, I would
In his introduction of Judge Oxendine,
University Attorney Joshua Malcolm `92
said he is "a professional and personal
role model."
After Judge Oxendine's speech,
Chancellor Jenkins said, "You have made
a statement with your life about how
someone from Robeson County can
succeed."
Success was on the minds of UNCP's
graduates who focused on their futures.
Their plans were as diverse as the student
body itself.
Three generations of Traci Johnson's
family, including her grandmother,
Pauline, and parents, Franklin and
Carolyn, were on hand to watch her
receive a Master of Arts in Education. Like
Judge Oxendine, she is from Fairmont,
and she was a first generation college
graduate.
"None of it was easy," said the first
grade teacher. "If I had it to do again, I
wouldn't change anything."
Johnson said National Board
Certification is the next step in her
continuing education.
Husband and wife, Nadine and Elliot
Samuel were all smiles as they graduated
together. Two of their four children
attended.
"We plan to get a master's degree in
public administration at UNCP," Nadine
earned their diplomas
at Commencement 2010