Jesse Oxendine graduated in 1951 with a degree in education. Before graduating from UNCP, he served with distinction in the United States Army's 82nd Airborne Division. During the Second World War, he liberated the Wobbelin concentration camp in Germany. While at UNCP, he was the quarterback for UNCP’s first football team 1947-1951. After UNCP and military service, Oxendine became the first licensed Native American pharmacist and owned Kings Drugs in Charlotte for 40 years. He was instrumental in returning football to UNCP and served as a chairman of UNCP Board of Trustees.