UNCP awards 1,077 degrees during Spring Commencement

Allyson Chavis has recognized since she was eight that she needed to be a veterinarian after watching her nice grandmother nurse an injured chook again to well being.

On Saturday, she inched nearer to her dream as she crossed the stage at UNC Pembroke’s Spring Graduation, becoming a member of 1,076 different graduates, together with 315 graduate college students who took half in a separate ceremony Friday night.

As a UNC System Veterinary Training Entry Scholar, Chavis earned a assured spot within the Faculty of Veterinary Medication program at N.C. State, which is ranked among the many prime veterinary packages within the nation.  

“It feels wonderful!” mentioned Chavis of Lumberton. “I really feel like I used to be meant to be positioned on this path, and UNCP was the important thing level in serving to me get there with this entry program.”

Yaqot Nasser acquired the distinguished Early Assurance Scholarship, guaranteeing her a spot this fall on the Brody College of Medication at East Carolina College. She is going to proceed her research to turn out to be a pediatrician. Nasser earned an ideal 4.0 GPA throughout her tutorial profession at UNCP.

“I beloved my expertise at UNCP for the reason that first day at Open Home,” mentioned Nasser, who lives in Lumberton. “I really like the range and loved attending to know my professors and being part of organizations on campus.”

Nasser’s dad and mom immigrated to america from Palestine 20 years in the past and her two youthful sisters additionally attend UNCP. She has plans to open a non-public observe in rural North Carolina to serve deprived and minority teams.   

Hilda Pinnix-Ragland, a senior Fortune 500 enterprise government, served because the keynote speaker for each ceremonies. She not too long ago served as an power guide for Duke Power and vice chairman of Company Public Affairs with Progress Power. She inspired the graduates to be genuine, stay assured and at all times dare to attempt new issues.

“You’re prepared. You’re ready,” Pinnix-Ragland mentioned. “You’re on a path that’s so profitable. You’re the most technologically savvy, educated class we’ve seen in historical past. Keep targeted on who you might be, your perspective, well being, and worth. And alongside the way in which, at all times deal with individuals with respect and dignity.”

At the least two units of twins acquired matching levels, together with Kendrick and Roderick Bartley earned a grasp’s in College Administration. Victoria Locklear and her twin, Alexandria, each earned their second UNCP diploma on Saturday. The Locklear siblings from the Prospect group earned matching nursing levels after finishing a biology diploma in 2018.

Additionally on Saturday, retired Lumbee Warranty Financial institution CEO and 1972 graduate Larry Chavis was awarded an honorary doctorate throughout a particular presentation. Chavis served as president and CEO for greater than 30 years and was inducted into the North Carolina Banking Corridor of Fame in 2021.

Zack Younger, a U.S. Air Drive veteran, earned a level in mass communication and plans to pursue a regulation diploma with hopes of working for a district lawyer’s workplace and finally turning into a decide.

“I wouldn’t commerce my UNCP expertise for something,” mentioned Younger, a REACH Fellow. “The small student-to-faculty ratio was a blessing for me. As a non-traditional scholar, if I have been at a bigger faculty, I wouldn’t have completed in 4 years.”

ROTC Cadet Wes Constandse earned a fee as a second lieutenant within the U.S. Military and has his sights on turning into a professor at West Level Navy Academy. He excelled academically to earn a Grasp of Social Research Training, successful the highest award on the Graduate Analysis Symposium.

“My UNCP expertise has been nice,” he mentioned. “My first contact with the college was with my advisor Dr. Serina Cinnamon whereas I used to be deployed in Afghanistan. The professors have been very accommodating and at all times prepared to assist create alternatives, provide steering and push me to attempt new issues.”

Dominique McLean-Brunson, a Robeson County native, overcame adversity on her journey to incomes her diploma. A most cancers survivor, McLean-Brunson suffered a miscarriage and misplaced her aunt on the identical day and misplaced her residence to a fireplace per week earlier than Christmas in 2021. She earned a sociology diploma whereas working two jobs and elevating three youngsters.

“So much has come my manner, however I made it,” she mentioned. “I went by way of many obstacles, however I at all times put God first.”

Ashanti Hendricks got here to UNCP from Virginia to check nursing, however her plans modified after taking a biology 1000-level course below Professor David Morse. She turned a double main in biology and sociology and plans to proceed her analysis into the well being inequities of at-risk youngsters. She plans to pursue a grasp’s diploma in social work and later open a girls’s shelter.

A local of Orlando, Sam Badami got here to UNCP on an athletic scholarship. Although she was getting the chance to satisfy her love for cross nation and fervour for nursing, being eight hours away from household was robust at first.

“I’m a family-oriented particular person, however once I got here to UNCP, I gained an amazing sense of residence,” Badami mentioned. “All of the individuals I met right here, from the college to my fellow student-athletes, turned my household.  

Badami, who graduated summa cum laude, is headed again to Florida, the place she has accepted a place on the Winnie Palmer Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  

Throughout his closing remarks, Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings inspired graduates to make good selections.

“Life is about making good selections,” Cummings mentioned. “You made an important resolution to get your diploma. And regardless of a pandemic and, for some, maybe monetary and household challenges, you continued.

“Within the days, months and years forward, you’ll face essential selections. From at the present time ahead, the highway past UNCP shall be outlined by you. I encourage you to decide on to combat, persist, adapt and persevere all through life’s circumstances.”