University Newswire
Thursday, June 21, 2007
UNCP to dedicate Heritage Walk on July 7
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke will honor its first graduates during Lumbee Homecoming 2007.
A workman holds up the engraved brick of D.F. Lowry, UNCP’s
first graduate |
Heritage Walk, a brick memorial honoring more than 500 of the institution’s first American Indian graduates, will be unveiled Saturday, July 7 at 11:30 a.m. in front of Old Main.
The public is invited to attend.
The University will also unveil new walkways and landscaping around Old Main.
Founded in 1887, the Croatan Normal School was created to educate American Indian school teachers. The school was called the Croatan Normal School in 1905 when D.F. Lowry became the school’s first graduate.
Graduates earned certificates for completing courses until 1928 when the school was accredited to offer two-year post-high school degrees. Beginning in 1940, graduates earned four-year degrees.
In 1954, the institution was opened to all races, and in 1972, it became a constituent member of the University of North Carolina.
“I don’t think there’s a better time than Lumbee Homecoming to honor our first graduates,” said Chancellor Allen C. Meadors. “This is a time of celebration for the Lumbee people, and this is just one way the University can acknowledge the heritage that makes us a unique and distinctive regional University.”
Thousands attend Lumbee Homecoming each year during the week of July 4. This will be the 39th year that the event has been held.
For questions about Heritage Walk or giving at UNCP, please contact the Office for Advancement at 910.521.6252 or email advancement@uncp.edu.
© The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
PO Box 1510 Pembroke, NC 28372-1510 • 800.949.UNCP (8627) • 910.521.6000