Breeden Blackwell joins UNCP Board of Trustees

Breeden Blackwell was sworn in Friday, September 19, 2003, to the Board of Trustees of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

A Fayetteville resident, Blackwell was appointed by the UNC Board of Governors to a four-year term. He is a retired educator and an elected member of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.

"I am extremely honored to be selected as a member of the Board of Trustees," Blackwell said. "I have always said, 'the ultimate service is public service.'"

"I am very impressed with the campus and the ongoing capital construction program," Blackwell said. "It's changed a lot since I was here."

The newest member of the board is a 1969 UNCP graduate. His wife, the former Cathy Johnson of Fayetteville, is also a 1969 UNCP graduate.

"I met my wife here, so we have a very special place in our hearts for the University," Blackwell said. "I had some real caring professors who turned me on to college."

The Hartsville, S.C., native has earned a master's degree in history from East Tennessee State University, an advanced degree in education from East Carolina University and a doctorate from Nova Southeast University. He started his career in education as a teacher in Hartsville and finished as a principal with the Cumberland County Schools.

Blackwell is in his second four-year term as a Cumberland County Commissioner, winning re-election in 2002. He served three terms on the Fayetteville City Council and was Mayor Pro Tem all three terms.

This year, he was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina's highest civilian honor. The Blackwells have one grown son, Ryan.

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