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Davina Gilbert's husband is front page news

When Davina Gilbert (Student Affairs) picked up the Fayetteville Observer's September 3 edition, she already knew what was on the front page.

A front-page photo, taken by Observer photographer Steve Hebert, was of her husband, Sgt. Nicholas Gilbert, taking cover with his weapon behind a military vehicle. Sgt. Gilbert (front) and his comrades were under fire from an unseen Iraqi sniper. Sgt. Gilbert is with the 82nd's 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment in Baghdad.

Davina got a warning call about the front-page photo Tuesday morning.

"They told him to call immediately and tell me he is OK," Davina said.

Sgt. Gilbert was riding with a convoy through the streets of Baghdad when an armored Humvee overheated and broke down. According to the Fayetteville Observer, which had a reporter and photographer on the scene, several shots were fired at the paratroopers before they realized they were under attack.

Fire was returned at a vehicle that was leaving the scene. The only injury was to a small Iraqi boy, who sustained a head wound and was treated and transported to a nearby hospital, according to the news report.

Davina said news of the war is unnerving.

"I stopped watching the news because it's too hard and too scary," she said. "Mostly, Nick works with computers, so he is pretty safe. The last time I talked with him, he said he was moving around a lot lately, so maybe that's why he was on the road."

Davina celebrated her first wedding anniversary in April with her husband in Iraq. She said she is still in disbelief about the photo.

"I couldn't totally believe it," she said. "I'm looking at it, and I still don't believe it. He looks healthy, so I'm glad about that. I was glad to see him."

Six members of the 325th have died since May when the war was officially declared over. One of Sgt. Gilbert's comrades died Tuesday, September 2, in a helicopter accident.

Sgt. Gilbert left for Iraq on Valentine's Day and did not learn that he would be there for a full year until July 23.

"The best way to deal with it is to believe every day that your loved one is safe," she said.

Combined Campaign gets underway on campus

The North Carolina State Employees Combined Campaign is set to kick off this fall, according to campus coordinator, Bruce Blackmon (Financial Aid). The Combined Campaign allows state employees to make an annual contribution - either as a one-time cash contribution or through payroll deduction - to a wide variety of charitable and other organizations, including the University's own Foundation.

"The State Employees Combined Campaign gives you the opportunity to chose which charitable organization will receive your contribution," Blackmon said. "Best of all, you can give directly through payroll deduction. These contributions reach the charities you select because state employees conduct the drive. Last year the NCSECC raised over $4 million to provide assistance to children, the elderly and disabled. You can give to organizations in Robeson or other counties."

"As chairperson of the UNCP Combined Campaign for 2003-2004, I encourage you to become a 'Partner in Giving' and join in the support of this program. Charitable gifts from folks like you and I can help so many in need," Blackmon said. "Soon someone will contact you about giving to the campaign and leave some information with you. Thanks for supporting such a worthwhile endeavor!"

Remembrance Ceremony

Dr. Diane Jones, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, addresses the gathering as SGA President Nadean Hafner, Staff Council Chair Carlene Cummings and Faculty Senate Chair Dr. Tom Dooling look on.

Campus Bookstore offers scholarship for departments with timely text book orders

Two students won $500 Bookstore scholarships recently as part of a textbook promotion. The program worked so well the Bookstore is doing it again this fall.

The Bookstore is asking professors to get their textbooks orders for the Spring Semester in on time to qualify their students to win a scholarship.

"This is the second semester we've offered this scholarship," said Bookstore Manager Karen Swiney. "The program is designed to get more used books into the Bookstore, which will, ultimately, save students money."

Last semester the scholarships went to music major Michelle K. Locklear of Pembroke and chemistry major Leanne J. Stanley of Cameron, N.C.

"All departments that get 70 percent of their total adoptions in by the deadline are entered in a drawing," Swiney said. "Then we draw two departments, and the department chairs decide who will receive the $500 scholarship."

This is part of the "Early Adoption Campaign" that kicked off in early September. The deadline for professors to adopt their textbooks for the spring and help out a student with a scholarship is October 11.

"We hope the professors are picking out their textbooks now because these scholarships are something extra for their students," Swiney said.

Bookstore Scholarship

Donna Jacobs of the Bookstore with Michelle Locklear and Music Department Chair George Walter. See above article for details.

Bookstore Scholarship

Donna Jacobs of the Bookstore with Leanne Stanley and Chemistry Department's Bobbie Scott and Chair Jose D'Arruda.

Pembroke Day is rescheduled for October 15

Due to rain, Pembroke Days is rescheduled for Wednesday, October 15, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Come out for fun, food and entertainment!

Book Presentation

Blake Tyner presents his book, "Robeson County," to Chancellor and Mrs. Meadors for the permanent collection in the Library of the Chancellor's Residence.

Convocation Scenes

Dr. Charles Lillie (Mathematics), Dr. Mark McClure (Chemistry) and Dr. Judy Curtis (Mass Communications) get ready in the staging area.	Dr. Charles Jenkins (Education) and Dr. Pate Cabe (Psychology and Counseling) show their colors. Dr. Jenkins is in Duke blue and Dr. Cabe in Cornell's "Big Red."
Timothy Altman (Music) directs the Concert Band.

WEB SITES OF INTEREST

• Academic Catalog is available online
• GPAC's 2003-04 season is online
• University Calendar: Coming soon!
• University Newswire
• Campus construction update