Ghaffar moves on to sports

After 13 years of service to the students and university, and the community it serves, Director of Student Activities Abdul Ghaffar will leave UNCP May 19.

Photo by Scott Ammons Ghaffar, fifth from left, surrounded by his staff, has served the university for 13 years. He will resign in May.

He was graduated from UNCP in 1990 with a B.A. in public relations, and went on to earn his M.S. in recreation management at the University of Tennessee in 1993.

Ghaffar then returned to the roots he planted as an undergraduate, and has served the university as director of sports information, asst. director of student activities, and director.

Ghaffar has witnessed first hand the tremendous growth of the university, and the vital role his office plays in helping students reach their personal and professional goals.

“I’ve enjoyed coming to work here everyday,” said Ghaffar. “I’ve never been bored doing this job.”  

Because of the growth, several new programs have been added to the office of student activities.

While he’s excited about all the programs, two stand out for him: Leadership Services Opportunities Program (LSOP) and Distinguished Speaker series.

“The growth of LSOP is amazing,” said Ghaffar. “When we started the program a few years ago, we had 30 students sign up. We now have close to 1,000 students.”

Ghaffar points out that none of this would be possible if it weren’t for a staff of dedicated people.

“We do things as a team around here,” he says. “Without the effort of each person in this office, we wouldn’t have tasted the success we have.”

“Abdul has been a tremendous asset to the division of student affairs, and a great role model for our students and staff,” said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dr. Diane Jones.

“The hardest thing I’ve done in many years, was deciding to leave UNCP,” said Ghaffar. “It has taken me two years to make this decision.”

Ghaffar soon will see his dream of a sports recreation complex unfold as he and his wife Bobbie break ground on a facility in Lumberton that will host sports events and feature an indoor track and basketball courts, opening in 2008.

Though Ghaffar will be gone, he plans to continue to strengthen his ties with the student’s and the university by providing volunteer opportunities and internships.