‘Friends’ raise more than $13K for library

More than 200 guests entered a transformed Sampson-Livermore Library April 21 for the annual library benefit sponsored by the Friends of the Library. The tables in the main library hall were covered with white tablecloths and decorated with stunning floral centerpieces.

Photo By Joel Beachum (From left) Former Miss UNCPs Morgan Hunt, Robyn Baker and Jessica Ortiz- Carrero each sang preformances at the Friends of the Library benefit on April 21.

Chancellor Allen Meadors, Provost Charles Harrington, Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs Neil Hawk and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Thomas Leach were among the numerous faculty members showing their support.

Highlights of the evening included musical entertainment from Miss UNCP 2003 Robyn Baker, Miss UNCP 2004 Jessica Ortiz-Carrero and Miss UNCP 2005 Morgan Hunt.

Scholarship winners

The event also presented the Friends of the Library Scholarship winners Bryan Howington, Jennifer Henley, Porcia Brown, Brook Caylor, Katherine Montgomery and Jessica Ortiz-Carrero. For Brown, a junior elementary education major at UNCP, this was her first time attending a library benefit.

“It was pretty good. I liked the performances and it was nice to see other people get awarded for their hard work,” Brown said.

Photo By Sonia Jackson Robert Canida decides whether to bid on items.

Robert Canida II, director of Multicultural and Minority Affairs, had similar thoughts about the library benefit.   

“This year was the best one because it was all about the students,” Canida said.  Canida also said it highlighted the students’ talents and focused on academics and scholarships.

Making the rounds

For the silent auction, paintings, Harley Davidson T-shirts, wine glasses and colorful flowers were just a few of the items attendees had the chance to bid on.

Guests mingled and conversed among each other, snatching moments to eat and to up the bid on items that had caught their eye in between. For ones like Betty Brown, a professor in the School of Education, it was a welcome return to an event she enjoyed. 

“I like to see the variety of things that are brought in,” Brown said, and added it’s “exciting to see the university and community come together to sponsor an event like this.”

Guests were treated with smooth tunes from UNCP’s String Chamber Ensemble and later the Jazz Ensemble until around 7:30 when guests wrapped up the last of their silent bids and finished up their meals in time for the live auction.

Photo By Joel Beachum Silent auction items attracted interest.

Cynthia Saylor, assistant dean for Research Services and Systems, and the evening’s auctioneer, greeted guests with a hearty “hello” before kicking the night off with a lively dance of bids as she auctioned off items.

Items up for bid:

• Quilted wall hanging •Two nights at the Hilton Wilmington on the river and a Dolphin Cruise

• Multi-family birdhouse •Three days in an ocean front at Ocean Dunes Resort & Villas or Sand Dunes Resort Hotel at Myrtle Beach

• A black and gold afghan, autographed football and a stuffed dog with a cap and t-shirt with UNCP logo •A weekend at Lake Lure 

• Two round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines. Items started as low as $35 and as high as $150, and often sold for more than $200 for the final bid.

Photo By Sonia Jackson Charles Lillie examines the pottery selections during the event.

The Friends of the Library has been ongoing since 1990, and has served to promote awareness and interest in the Sampson-Livermore Library. This was the fifth annual benefit for the Friends of Library.

“[The] annual auction and dinner is one of the highlights of the year,” Chancellor Allen C. Meadors said.

“I thought it was wonderfully entertaining and led to great generosity from the university community that will provide support to several students next year, and numerous library projects,” said President of the Friends of the Library, Dr. Anthony R. Curtis.