PEMBROKE — At a university founded 128 years ago on the premise that education changes lives, the class of 2015 offered strong support for that mission.

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke conferred degrees on 99 graduate students on Friday in the Givens Performing Arts Center and 464 undergraduates on Saturday in the gym of the English E. Jones Health and Physical Education Center.

It was the first commencement weekend for new Chancellor Robin Cummings, who said that, as a youth, the site of Old Main on the university’s campus was a constant reminder of the power of education to transform lives, families and entire communities.

“UNC Pembroke has a long history,” Cummings told the graduates. “This is a place where faculty and staff are focused on changing lives through education. Wherever you want to go in life, you can get there from here.

“This university has changed your life through education, and now it is your duty to better the lives of others,” he said.

The commencement speaker for both occasions was Dr. Siva Mandjiny, a chemistry professor and recipient of the 2015 UNC Board of Governors Award for Teaching Excellence.

“Teaching and learning are next to godliness,” he said. “This explains why so many of us think about our students as their children. Each one of you whom I have had the privilege to teach will be mine forever, and your success will always be the wings that will continue to inspire my teaching. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be your teacher.”

Mandjiny has mentored more then 100 student research projects, and teaching is the source of his daily inspiration.

But Mandjiny’s bliss came at a price of grit and shear determination. From the Tamil region of Indian, he studied in three languages, and he did not know a word of French when he embarked on a Ph.D. program in France.

“Determination to succeed is what took me across three continents,” Mandjiny said. “Every moment of your life when you face struggle, think of it as a challenge and as a learning opportunity.”

The graduates talked about their lives, careers and opportunities that a college degree affords them.

“I did everything I could to accomplish as much as could here,” said Michael Mollohan, a 47-year-old Army veteran from Raeford. “I joined the Honors College and interned at the new Entrepreneurship Incubator. I have already started work on an MBA, and I will be a graduate assistant at the incubator.”

Mollohan, who earned a Business degree, graduated on Saturday with his son, Patrick, a computer science major with ambitions to move to Seattle to join the industry there.

Kevin Melvin, a Pembroke native, will use his degree in American Indian Studies to work with youth. “I got tired of working manual labor, so I decided to go to school,” said Melvin. “Here, I found a wife and got married, and I found a whole bunch of friends by joining a fraternity, something I said I would never do.

“It’s changed my life … tremendously,” Melvin said.

The future is wide open for Criminal Justice major Stephanie Miller. “At UNCP, I got solid training in my field,” she said. “Here, I learned to love learning. I did not have that before.”

Virginia native Katrina Callahan earned a Master of Public Administration degree online and was on campus for the first time ever, meeting classmates who had never seen each other in person before. “I got a new job and a raise,” she said. “I’m a master scheduler for Navy submarines.”

Asheboro native Heather Thomas also earned an MPA degree. “I got a new job and a promotion in the Department of Social Services,” she said. “I will supervise adoptions.”

From Raleigh, Heather Norton earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree, the third degree she has earned from UNCP. “I will remain in nursing, but I’ve been offered a job teaching at Wake Tech,” she said.

Cheryl Speights has worked 28 years as a nurse and 22 years at the Richmond County Health Department. An MSN degree earned her a directors job.

There was one more family affair at Winter Commencement 2015. Husband and wife team, Orrick and Shakeanma McDougald, earned matching bachelor of Social Work degrees. From Richmond County, they started their quest for a four-year degree at Sandhills Community College.

“It was perfect; the professors were very kind and considerate because we have jobs and children,” Orrick McDougald said. “It benefitted us academically and financially. I work in the public schools, and I can show the kids what that piece of paper can do for you.”

Courtesy photo Some of the 464 graduates enjoy UNCP’s Winter Commencement that was held on Saturday at the school’s gym in the Jones P.E. Center.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_CommencementCelebrate.jpgCourtesy photo Some of the 464 graduates enjoy UNCP’s Winter Commencement that was held on Saturday at the school’s gym in the Jones P.E. Center.

Courtesy photo Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings addresses the graduates on Saturday. It was his first UNCP commencement as chancellor.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_CommencementChan.jpgCourtesy photo Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings addresses the graduates on Saturday. It was his first UNCP commencement as chancellor.