State senators visit and comment on UNCP campus

By Nathan Walls
Editor

On Monday, Nov. 10, President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate Marc Basnight and 13th District Sen. David Weinstein visited the campus of UNCP. They met with Chancellor Allen Meadors, faculty, staff and students. After lunch, Basnight was interviewed by broadcasting instructor Mike DeCinti in the WNCP television studio. Students from mass communications classes were on hand to watch.

Basnight was impressed with the university’s current construction project.

“It’s (UNCP) going to be a place that will accommodate the growing number of students that are coming to this campus,” Basnight said. “It’s going to look very good and it’s going to help this community.”

A native of Dare County, N.C., Basnight now lives in Manteo. Instead of going to college, Basnight went to work for his family’s business after high school.

“I had the opportunity, but I didn’t seize upon it,” he said. “So, it does help me to talk to young people about the importance of getting an education. I missed a lot. Anyone who does not go to college will miss the interaction that occurs.”

Basnight stressed how the state senate is supportive of college students.

“The North Carolina Senate strongly believes that you have to invest in an education to be competitive,” Basnight said. “There is no other way you can succeed.”
Basnight can be reached at Marcb@ncleg.net.