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Saundra Richardson was appointed director of UNC Pembroke’s Office of Advisement and Retention.

A Sanford, N.C., native with 25 years experience in a variety of higher education settings, Richardson was assistant director for Advisement and Retention and coordinator of the Adult Learning Center.

The mission of the office is to promote student success through a variety of programs. Richardson works closely with faculty to provide high quality student advising, tutoring and the Freshman Seminar program, which is a required, eight-week orientation course to acclimate first-year students to college life.

Richardson reports to Jackie Clark, vice chancellor for the Office of Enrollment Management.

“Saundra is a perfect fit for the position of director of Advisement and Retention,” Clark said. “Her extensive experience at various other universities added with her experience at UNC Pembroke as assistant director made the decision obvious.”

“Her passion for students, respect for academic excellence and strong leadership style will prove to serve the University well in our goal to improve student success. I’m honored to have her as a part of the Enrollment Management team.”

One of Richardson’s most critical responsibilities is the safety net programs for freshmen. She believes the office and its programs should be visible on campus.

“We have to let students know we are here to help them and to let them know how we can help them,” she said. “We must make the connection early at freshman orientation and seminar.”

Richardson will also work to increase faculty involvement in freshmen programs and advising for all students.

“We will work to attract additional faculty into the ‘Early Alert’ program, which is the reporting system for freshmen at risk of failure two weeks into each semester,” Richardson said. “We believe that we should get an earlier start on the ‘Academic Difficulty Report,’ which comes out five weeks into a student’s first semester.”

Students identified in either report are offered advising and referred for additional services, such as the Writing Center, tutoring, Career Center, peer mentoring or other counseling.

“If everyone on this campus would focus on student success, retention would take care of itself,” Richardson said. “Everyone who comes in contact with a student is part of the retention process.”

“We are going to focus on the entire freshman experience - housing, student activities and academics,” she said. “Are we going to be aggressive? Intrusive, I think is a better word.”

The reporting network continues after a student’s first semester. Over the holidays, Richardson reviews all freshman grades, sending out letters of either congratulations or offers of help. In some cases, phones calls are needed.

Part of the plan to step up retention efforts includes a plan to add new staff.

“We are in the process of hiring a first-year coordinator to focus entirely on freshmen,” she said. “They will work with the entire freshman experience.”

Richardson worked in student advising for Sandhills Community College before coming to UNCP. Before that, she was director of academic advising and associate registrar at the University of Evansville (Ind.).

She has also worked in admissions and with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.

A graduate of Grambling State University, Richardson received a Master of Science degree in counseling from the University of Evansville.

James Bass named director of Alumni Relations

James Bass will assume duties as executive director of the Office Alumni Relations in January 2005 at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

A Lumberton native and 1994 UNCP graduate, Bass was assistant director of Student Activities since 1998. He also served as an adjunct professor in the Department of English, Theatre and Languages.

In his former position, Bass served UNCP students, and at his new post, he will serve UNCP graduates. He reports to Sandra K. Waterkotte, vice chancellor for Advancement.

“We are so pleased to be able to announce James’ hiring. Not only does he have the advantage of knowing UNCP from an alumnus’ point of view, he’s also been working with our students since 1999 and knows firsthand the kind of excitement being generated on our campus these days,” Waterkotte said. “I can’t imagine a more enthusiastic representative for our alumni, and our February Homecoming festivities will be a great time to introduce him.”

Bass will keep UNCP’s alumni connected to the University through various programs and publications, including UNCP Today magazine and the alumni Web site (www.uncp.edu/alumni). He will serve as executive director of the Alumni Association, and recognize outstanding alumni through the alumni awards program.

“I have spent the past six years working to keep students involved in the campus community, so it is natural for me to work at keeping our alumni involved,” Bass said.

“I am very excited about working with my fellow alumni,” he said. “The lifelong relationships I’ve made at UNCP, as a student, administrator and instructor, have been a valuable part of my life and career.”

“Working for Student Affairs has given me valuable insight into the relationship students build with the University during their undergraduate careers, and I’m looking forward to strengthening those relationships in my new position,” he said. “The Office of Advancement is doing some great things, and I am excited about joining the team.”

Bass noted that the prospect of the return of football to UNCP in 2007 has created considerable interest among alumni, students and others.

“It’s fantastic to see how the interest in football at UNCP has escalated,” he said. “Football is going to enhance the visibility of the University. It's an exciting time at UNCP, this is just one of the many projects that is taking this institution to a new level.”

Bass received a Bachelor of Arts degree in arts management in 1994 and a Master of Arts in English education from UNCP in 2003. For the past year, he taught composition and film in literature in the English Department. He spent the 2004 summer session teaching English at North China Institute of Science and Technology in Yanjiao, East Beijing.

Active in the local arts community and with youth programs, Bass has served on the boards of Robeson Little Theatre and the Robeson Arts Council. He volunteered with the Robeson County Juvenile Justice program and Lumber River Council of Governments’ Youth Opportunity Program.

For more information about alumni programs, please call (910) 521-6533 or email alumni@uncp.edu.

Dr. Litty attends Hollywood seminar

Dr. Jamie Litty, chair of Mass Communications Department, was one of 20 faculty members nationwide chosen to participate in a weeklong television industry seminar at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS) in Hollywood in November, 2004. Paid for by the ATAS Foundation, the seminar brought together programming executives, producers, writers, directors and production managers from the networks and studios who talked about the business of show business. The faculty also toured Warner Bros. Studios (production home of ER, The West Wing, Gilmore Girls, and Joey), and CBS’ Television City in Burbank, as well as Digital Filmworks, a postproduction boutique providing animation and other computer-generated imaging for TV and film.

“You wouldn’t believe how much of what you see on your favorite TV dramas and in the movies is no longer shot on location but in front of the ‘green screen’ or pieced together from separate film,” said Litty, referring to the digital compositing process that takes place after film or high definition video of the actors is sent to the lab. “And I’m not talking about science fiction or fantasy or period pieces, but nearly every scene shot inside a moving vehicle, on a roof, in front of a window or a skyline - you name it.”

Litty said some of the trip’s highlights for her were meeting director Thomas Schlamme, whose previous credits include The West Wing and Sports Night, and watching a taping of The Bold and the Beautiful from both the studio floor and the director’s control room at CBS. Academy members also simulated a production meeting with the script from last season’s finale of 24, showing how the managers of location, stunts, props, costumes, makeup, and sets report to the episode’s assistant director about the logistics for a week of design, construction, permits and motor vehicle choreography before the cameras ever roll.

“What was particularly gratifying about the sessions every day was the affirmation of what we teach our students in classes—the value placed on writing skills, pre-production planning, deadlines, the economic realities of television,” said Dr. Litty. “I think it helps faculty to evaluate textbooks and other teaching materials. Plus, seeing the facilities and technologies in Hollywood helps us to model professional practices back home.”

Dr. Litty said she made sure to personally thank producers of The WB (Warner Brothers television network) for paying what it takes to keep production of One Tree Hill in Wilmington, N.C. Its producers said that one thing that’s good about shooting in Wilmington is that it helps his young stars stay “grounded” - far away from the paparazzi and their own entourages.

Since returning from California, Dr. Litty has been encouraging students to apply for the academy’s paid summer internship program that places students in the Los Angeles area. She said the educational program’s staff at the foundation convinced her that qualified, talented students from broadcast programs nationwide can compete with students from the “Big 3” film schools of UCLA, the University of Southern California, and New York University.

Frederick Stephens opens clinic in Lumberton

Frederick Stephens (Social Work) opened a private mental health clinic in Lumberton.

Carolina Professional Mental Health Associates, Inc., is a private mental health agency serving Robeson, Columbus, Bladen and Scotland counties. The associates provide community-based services, including individual and family therapy for children and adolescents as well as services for adults and children with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

Stephens, and partner Sara Lapides, both psychotherapists, embrace a strengths perspective in working with individuals and their families. Their goal is to provide person-centered interventions tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. Carolina Professional Mental Health Associates is located in downtown Lumberton.

Stephens graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in social work. He earned a Master of Social Welfare degree in 1989 at the University of California at Berkeley. He served as coordinator of field instructions as well as coordinator of the multi-disciplinary minor in African American studies. He is currently the assistant to the director of the social work program. Stephens is working on his Ph.D. in human services.

Brenda Jacobs is Employee of the Year

Brenda Jacobs (Music) was voted Employee of the Year.

A 33-year employee (Music), Jacobs was honored at the staff holiday luncheon on December 9, 2004. Staff members voted for one of the four Employee of the Quarter winners.

She received a reserved parking space for one year (paid), 16 meals at the Cafeteria, a plaque and letter from Chancellor Meadors.

Stephen Brooks is Officer of the Year

Corporal Stephen Brooks was named 2004 Officer of the Year at the Department of Police and Public Safety.

The shift supervisors, Capt. Larry McNeil and David Helton, in a unanimous vote, selected Brooks.

“Cpl. Brooks’ daily work ethic is such that he performs his duties with little supervision, and most often than not, he exceeds the expectations of his supervisors,” Helton said. “In addition to his work ethic, Cpl. Brooks projects himself as a professional, both in uniform and the level of physical fitness that he maintains. All this, coupled with the courteous and caring attitude that he consistently projects to the campus community, reflects highly upon this department.”

Dr. Ezell speaks to Lumberton DAR

In December, Dr. Bruce Ezell (Biology) spoke before the Thomas Robeson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Lumberton. His topic was “Gravestone Art and Rhetoric.” An article about this lecture appeared in The Robesonian.

Locklear Places 3rd runner-up at national pageant

Alexis Vivian Locklear placed 3rd runner-up at the National American Miss Pre-Teen Pageant held in Anaheim, Calif., during Thanksgiving week.

Locklear is the 12-year-old daughter of Marla Locklear (Health and Physical Education) and Phil Locklear of Pensacola, Fla.

The contestants were judged on three major categories, including personal introduction, interview and formal wear. In the formal wear competition, Locklear was escorted by Trent Locklear of Auburndale, Fla. Community involvement counted for 10 percent of the total score.

Locklear began her adventure in California with a limousine ride from John Wayne Airport to the Hyatt Regency Hotel, where the pageant was staged.

On Monday, she toured the streets of Hollywood, Venice Beach and Santa Monica. On Tuesday, all royalty visited Disneyland and gathered at Cinderella’s Castle for a photo shoot that was followed by a Disney character luncheon.

On Wednesday, competition started with formal wear, followed by interview on Thursday and personal introduction on Friday. Saturday was the pageant finale.

National American Miss follows the guidelines of Miss America and calls the top 10 finalists and then the top five finalists. Locklear, representing North Carolina, heard her name called for both groups.

“I was very excited and started to cry with joy when I heard my name called for the top 10, and then I really got nervous when I was called for the top five as I had to perform my personal introduction again,” Locklear said. “I am very thankful for the opportunity to participate in the pageant and could not have gotten that far without the support of my community and sponsors.”

“Hopefully in 2006, I can compete for National American Miss Jr. Teen and bring home the crown. Of course, I have to win Miss Junior Teen North Carolina first,” she said.

Birthdays, January 1-31
Michael Alewine
Natasha Allen
Robert Arndt
Mary Baker
Don Beken
Stephen Berry
Nicky Bullard
Wanda Campbell
Flora Chavis
Evelyn Cheek
Mark Dalen
Danny Davis
Shirley Deese
Valarie Deese
Elizabeth Denny
Vicky Dial-Jacobs
Tina Emanuel
Linda Falls
Vickie Fanagan
Valjeaner Ford
Kevin Freeman
Abdul Ghaffar
Carolyn Godwin
Misty Hardy
Shanna Harrelson
Matthew Hoover
Janette Hopper
Robert Hughes
Lisa Hunt
Brenda C. Jacobs
Leon Jernigan
McArthur Jones
Kandice Kinlaw
Mary Klinikowski
Glenda Little
John A. Locklear
Susan Locklear
Tonya Locklear
Elizabeth Maisonpierre
Corey Marks
Kari Matthews-Ricks
Karen Maynor
David Oxendine
LaRhonda Oxendine
Roberta Oxendine
Leszek Piatkiewicz
Angelyn Poole
Rebecca Power
Judy Presley
Carolyn Price
Dedra Sanderson
Robert Schneider
Deirdre Scott
Sharon Sharp
Karen Stanley
Frederick Stephens
Karen Swiney
W. Stewart Thomas
Marion Thompson
Charles Tita
Sailaja Vallabha
Ethel Ward
Sandra Waterkotte
Mildred Weber
Gary Wright
Kristen Wright

Retirements
Millie Jacobs, Accounting Clerk, Business Affairs
Patricia Lankford, Residence Administrator, Housing
Lucille Oxendine, Housekeeping

New Hires

Mary Evans - North Hall Residence Administrator, Housing.

Deaths
Mildred Weber’s father, Carlie Hardin, passed away on Sunday, December 19. Weber works in Financial Aid.

Births

Ellen Revels (Financial Aid) and her husband Charlie welcomed a new grand daughter on November 13, 2004. Journey Alyssa Godwin (left) weighed 6 lbs.7oz.

Sharlene Locklear (Physical Education) has a new grandson, her first grandchild! Nolan Bryce Locklear was born to her son Marcus N. Locklear and Marie M. Chavis on Jan. 6, 2005 at 5:24 p.m. at Southeastern Regional Medical Center. He weighed 6 lbs. and 1/2 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long. His great aunt is Betty Johnson (Advancement).

New Web site for state employee perks

The Office of State Personnel has redesigned the State Employee Perks Program Web site and announced a change in the link. Please change your bookmark to the new link: www.osp.state.nc.us/divinfo/E-Discounts/newwelcome.html