More Than 400 Attend Annual Scholarship Recognition Dinner

Meeting Nicholas Oxendine was bittersweet for Sandra Hunt.

"I love him," Hunt said. "He's got my son's personality. He's happy, very bright and friendly."

Hunt's son, Jason, was a rising junior at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke when he died in a drowning accident in 2003. That same year, the Hunt family established a scholarship in Jason's honor.

Oxendine is this year's recipient of the Jason Wayne Hunt Memorial Scholarship. Sandra was impressed with Nicholas after the two met at UNC Pembroke's 12th annual Scholarship Recognition Dinner.

The event brought together 400 donors and award recipients.

Oxendine felt a special connection, too, after dining with Sandra Hunt and her daughter, Marie.

"It was an honor to meet them. I feel like I know her from somewhere, but I just can't put my finger on it," Oxendine said.

Oxendine, a sophomore from Lumberton, is studying criminal justice and has his sights set on joining the U.S. Marshals Office.

"This scholarship really helped me with my finances, including covering the cost of my books," he said.

The Hunt family was motivated to help others considering Jason earned two scholarships to help him through school.

Ariana Young, a recipient of the Harry Hutchinson Gibson Scholarship, shared her financial struggles with her donor, Thomas Gibson.

"Coming from a single income family and with my father having transplant surgery, this helped out a lot," said Young, a freshman from Council.

Young is pursuing a degree in psychology. She wants to be a youth counselor.

Winning the Earl Hughes Oxendine Memorial Scholarship has lightened the financial load for Anthony Hunt's parents.

"Coming to college has put a burden on my parents," said Hunt, a freshman from Fairmont, majoring in biology. "My stepdad suffers from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and a big chunk of their income goes toward his medicine each month. So we've had to cut back in certain areas. This scholarship has been a really big help."

Brandon Watts, a guard on the basketball team, penned a letter to his donor after receiving the Joe Gallagher Basketball Scholarship. On this evening, Watts dined with Dr. Wiley Barrett, a teammate of Gallagher on UNCP's basketball squad from 1965 to 1969. Barrett currently serves on the Board of Trustees.

"For someone to donate money for a scholarship, it's really nice," said Watts, a business marketing major. "For them to look back at what Pembroke gave them and then give back to student-athletes like me, it's really amazing. It's really nice to put a face to your donor."

The guest speaker for the event was UNCP alumnus Marion Craddock. He shared memories as a student and member of the 1972 and 1974 national championship cross country team.

A native of Rockingham, he earned All-State and All-American honors in track and cross-country.

"My experience here at Pembroke helped me mature as a person," Craddock said. "If it had not been for my track scholarship, I would not have gone to college."

Two years ago, Craddock established a Cross Country and Track and Field scholarship at his alma mater.

"I love Pembroke," he said. "I wanted to give back to Pembroke the same way it gave to me."

Wendy Lowery, vice chancellor of Advancement, said an increase in the number of established scholarships and student recipients forced her to relocate the event to a larger venue.

"The support provided to our students from alumni and friends across the country is amazing," Lowery said. "I hope our audience continues to grow for generations to come."

Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings thanked the donors for their generosity and continued support of students who have a financial need.

"Our future is bright because of the students in this room," Dr. Cummings said. "At UNCP, we say, you can start here and go anywhere. And these students are able to get that start because of you."

Connect with UNC Pembroke on social media or online at www.uncp.edu to learn how the university is changing lives through education.

Source: More Than 400 Attend Annual Scholarship Recognition Dinner