Oxendine building opens for students

By Mark Schulman
Campus Life Editor

The Herbert G. Oxendine Science building dedication ceremony was held on Aug 25.

More than 200 people attended the event celebrating the accomplishments of the multi-million dollar renovation and the life of Herbert Oxendine.

The renovation is the University’s largest expenditure costing $17.4 million and was funded from North Carolina education bonds. Many contractors, faculty and staff worked tirelessly to ensure the $30 million building would be ready for students by the fall semester.

“This was an excellent example of multiple individuals working together for a worthy cause,” Chancellor Allen C. Meadors said.

The Oxendine building features hi-tech laboratories, computer labs and classrooms for the Departments of Mathematics, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and the Office of University Computing and Information Services.

The construction project took 15 months relocating faculty, staff and students to modular units on the north side of the campus over the course of the 2003-2004 academic year.

Biology major Mark Hunt walked the halls of the Oxendine building prior to the make-over and is impressed with the final results.

“The building is top notch and is a pleasure to be in,” Hunt said. “The labs are similar to the labs I saw at UNC-Chapel Hill last semester.”

The hard work put into the building is a reflection of the man whom the building is dedicated to, Herbert Oxendine.

Oxendine was born in Buie, N.C. on Nov. 7, 1913. He was a World War II veteran and the first Lumbee Indian to earn a doctorate. He served as Head of Education Department and Dean of the Faculty at UNCP.

Oxendine’s daughter and Chair of American Indian Studies Dr. Linda Oxendine reflected on her father’s dedication to UNCP.

“My father loved the staff, faculty and students,” Oxendine said. “He improved the lives of the people that attended here.”

The science building was completed in 1967, approximately one year after Herbert Oxendine’s death. Then in 1973 it was dedicated to the man who strived to make the institution a better place.

The project team that spearheaded the new Oxendine renovations was coordinated by UNCP’s architect Steve Martin that employed two architects; Hayes-Howell, Southern Pines and BJAC Architects, Raleigh and the building contractor was SUITT Construction of Raleigh.

Reverend Kent Chavis put it well at the dedication ceremony, “Welcome home to the wandering nomads of Oxendine hall.”