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UNCP Graduates
334 During Spring Commencement
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View Archived Webcast of
Commencement
More than 3,200
friends, family and wellwishers packed the Main Gym of the Jones Athletic
Complex on Saturday, May 11 for Spring Commencement 2002 at The University
of North Carolina at Pembroke.
As Chancellor Allen
C. Meadors noted to a full house, the growing ranks of UNCP graduates
caused the university to hold two graduation ceremonies a year and move
to ever-larger venues. Three hundred and thirty-four students received
diplomas, 32 with graduate degrees.
Graduates were urged
by keynote speaker Charlie Rose to develop a deep sense of spirituality
early in life that will carry them peacefully and confidently to the
end of their lives. Mr. Rose, 62, retired in 1997 after 12 terms as
U.S. Representative for District 7.
The retired congressman
was bestowed an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. He was also honored
later in the day at a ceremony to open the Charlie Rose Archival Collection
in the Sampson-Livermore Library. He has donated memorabilia and papers
to the library.
"It's a big
world out there with lots of toys to entertain you," Mr. Rose said.
"If you persist in playing with your toys, you may miss your ride
home and a whole lot more."
"Life is more
spirit than substance," he said. "I encourage you to quickly
develop a set of spiritual goals for yourself. This cannot be bestowed
on you; you must find it for yourself."
The Fayetteville
native was a very popular politician, especially among farmers and Lumbee
Indians. Dr. Robert Schneider, who introduced Mr. Rose and is chair
of the Political Science Department, said his walk to the library after
Commencement was a lesson in hero worship.
"Literally
dozens of people stopped us to ask for autographs and to say hello to
the congressman," Dr. Schneider said. "It was remarkable."
Mr. Rose told the
graduates that a spiritual life may a lonely one with many pitfalls
along the way.
 "Your
ego will tell you that money, sex and power is all you need to see you
through," he said. "Being spiritual today means going it alone
to take an inward spiritual journey."
"It's tough
and requires discipline, work, prayer and dedication. However, martyrdom
is not necessary," he said. "Strive to be a spiritual person
with a good car."
"When your
ride comes to pick you up at the end, not only will you have a ride
home, but you will have organized all your playmates to go with you,"
Rose concluded.
In his remarks to
the graduates, Chancellor Meadors left them with "a simple thought."
"It all starts
with attitude," he said. "I believe that attitude is 90 percent
of success. People with a positive outlook on life can accomplish just
about anything."
At the afternoon
dedication, Mr. Rose said, "my career started in Robeson County
and ended in this county.
"There was
no question in my mind that my meager collection should be in this place,"
he said. "I really appreciate this day - to speak to this great
class and to see how this campus and the town have grown."
Chancellor Meadors
praised the Rose collection as a valuable addition to the Sampson-Livermore
Library.
"With the Charlie
Rose papers and documents we have a place alongside other important
libraries that we have not had before," Chancellor Meadors said.
The collection is
in Room 226.
Offering greetings
to the graduating class were: Barbara S. Perry, a member of the UNC
Board of Governors; Robert Nelson, UNC associate vice chancellor for
finance; Dr. Cheryl Locklear, chair of the UNCP Board of Trustees; Dr.
Patrick Cabe, chair of the UNCP Faculty Senate; Dane Onorio, outgoing
president of the UNCP Student Government Association and Dr. Dwight
Pearson, president of the UNCP Alumni Association.
Music for Commencement
was provided by the University Concert Band and the Pembroke Singers
under the director of Gary Wright.
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