Summer 2010
UNCP Today
7
The Provost must:
· Be an academic leader who will advance
and expand the University's academic
mission.
· Be capable of galvanizing the faculty to
initiate change to support and promote
higher levels of academic excellence.
· Be an individual who recognizes and
embraces the role of an engaged
comprehensive regional institution
as a catalyst for change and improvement
in the region it serves.
· Be committed to working within a policy
environment characterized by transparency
and integrity.
· Embrace diversity as a core value and
understand the role UNCP's history has on
its institutional character.
Q: You have said you are a sports fan. Are
there additional opportunities for UNCP in
athletics?
A: Yes, I am a sports fan. I have been very
impressed with the success UNCP has had
in a variety of sports. A priority for UNCP
Athletics is to have all of our teams be part
of a conference. Dan Kenney and I have had
preliminary conversations about the need for
adding conference affiliation for football. We
are currently playing as a NCAA Division II
independent in football, and I look forward to
learning Pete Shinnick's perspective. In regard
to other opportunities for UNCP, it is too early
for me to know. I need to learn more from
the coaches and students before I broach that
topic.
Q: You have met the Lumbee Tribal Chairman
Purnell Swett `57. What have you learned so
far about the tribe and its relationship with
UNCP?
A: First, I would like to comment on my
meeting with Chairman Swett. After I was
named Chancellor-Elect, I made a conscious
decision to meet with Mr. Swett before I
stepped on the UNCP campus. That meeting
was intended to do two things: (1) demonstrate
my respect for the Lumbee Tribe and the role
it has played in the history of UNCP, and (2)
begin a relationship with the Tribe through the
Chairman that will benefit both the Tribe and
UNCP. I found Mr. Swett to be very gracious
and forthcoming. I look forward to getting to
know him better and working with him in the
future. By the way, Mr. Swett is also a graduate
of Western Carolina. So, we have already
discovered common ground. Regarding what
I have learned about the Tribe...I have learned
that the relationship is deep and complex and
of great importance to both the University
and the Tribe. Whenever we can, Sarah and I
add to our knowledge about the culture and
significance of the Tribe to the University. For
example, we went to a Pow Wow in April
and Dr. Mary Ann Jacobs, Chair and Assistant
Professor of American Indian Studies, and her
student assistant, Sunshine Costanza, provided
an orientation for us. We have visited Mr. Curt
Locklear a couple of times in his True Value
store and listened to him recount important
events in his life as a citizen of Pembroke and
as a former student of Pembroke State College
for Indians. We have talked to people in Linda's
and Sheff's restaurants, about their University
and their hopes for the future. We know we
have a lot more to learn about the Lumbee and
their relationship to the University, but one
thing is very clear: The Lumbee have great
pride in UNCP and are fiercely loyal to its
mission.
Q: What will be the impact of federal
recognition of the Lumbees on the region and
on UNCP?
A: I don't think anyone can fully understand
the impact of federal recognition. However,
it will be huge. First and foremost, it would
provide the Lumbee Tribe their rightful place
at the national table on issues of Indian affairs.
This intangible outcome may far exceed the
"I am not only a sports fan, but a
frustrated athlete with more than a few
broken bones to show for it," he said. "I
will attend sporting events and not only
the major sports."
To a question about growth and
construction, Chancellor Carter said
"UNC Pembroke is going to grow."
"The corridor between Fayetteville
and Lumberton is growing," he said.
"Construction is a positive sign, and
Pembroke is fortunate to get a new
nursing/health professions building and a
residence hall."
To a question about support for the
arts, Chancellor Carter said the arts
are important to a University and the
surrounding community.
"Cultural entertainment is a sign of
vitality," he said. "It adds to the student
experience. There are lots of reasons to
support the arts."
Local and regional newspaper reporters
worked the crowd Friday afternoon and
the response to the new chancellor was
very positive.
Faculty Senate Chair Dr. Tony
Curtis told The Robesonian that he is
"impressed."
"When he talks to you, you can tell
he's through and through an academic
person, and the faculty love it," Dr. Curtis
said.
Pine Needle Editor Wade Allen said
Chancellor Carter appears "goal driven."
"He kept talking about gearing up for the
future, while retaining the past," Allen
said.
Student Government President Arjay
Quizon, who was also on the Chancellor
Search Committee, described meeting Dr.
Carter to The Robesonian.
"On paper, he is very impressive,"
Quizon said. "You would think this guy is
too good to be true, but when you meet
him, he lives up to the expectation.
"He is very humble," Quizon said.
"Hopefully, he'll stick around for a very
long time."
Staff Council Chair Andrea Branch
Chancellor Carter and his wife Sarah,
greeting at the Pembroke reception
following his election
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