Honorary chairmen of UNCP's 125th anniversary are Mickey Gregory, left, a 1988 graduate and executive director of the Lumberton Visitors Bureau; Alphonzo McRae, a 1974 graduate and the vice president of Robeson Community College; and Linda Oxendine, longtime chair of UNCP’s Department of American Indian Studies.

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PEMBROKE — The University of North Carolina at Pembroke turns 125 this year, and the university kicks off its celebration at 4 p.m. March 14 in the main gym of the English E. Jones Health and Physical Education Center. The celebration will go on for the next 14 months.

The kickoff is open to everyone — community members, alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends. There will be music, celebrities, giveaways, a birthday cake, refreshments, cheerleaders, university leaders and more.

Featured at the event will be the largest cake in university history, as well as the unveiling of a 125th logo, commemorative T-shirt line and new traditions. Cecil Chandler, television personality with WPDE-15 of Florence, S.C., will be the emcee. Honorary chairs of the celebration are Dr. Linda Oxendine, long-time chair of UNCP’s Department of American Indian Studies; Alphonzo McRae, a 1974 graduate and the vice president of Robeson Community College; and Mickey Gregory, a 1988 graduate and executive director of the Lumberton Visitors Bureau.

Entertainment will be provided by Miss UNCP 2012 Jocelyn Hunt, the band Dark Water Rising, vocalist Victoria Huggins, UNCP’s Pep Band and cheerleaders.

Dark Water Rising is led by Charly Lowry, a Pembroke native, NAMMY Award winner and former “American Idol” contestant. Huggins, a St. Pauls native and UNCP student, has made appearances on “It’s Showtime at the Apollo,” “Star Search,” and “American Idol.”

UNCP was founded on March 7, 1887. The 125th theme is: “Honoring Our Heritage, Soaring Toward Our Future.”

Motorcycles, birthday cake and some great prizes are in store. There will be an announcement of a new line of “Heritage Ts,” featuring the seven names the university has carried over the years. The T-shirts and other collectibles will be available at the Bookstore.

The 14-month long celebration will be filled with events and activities that will honor and showcase the accomplishments of the university and its students, faculty, staff and alumni. Information and public comment on the celebration and sharing of UNCP memories may be made at the 125th website: www.uncp.edu/125/.

The 125th Anniversary Celebration Planning Committee is under the leadership of co-chairs, Patricia Fields, executive director of Givens Performing Arts Center and 1997 and 2010 UNCP graduate, and Lawrence T. Locklear, a 2005 graduate and web publisher with UNCP’s Office of University Communications and Marketing.

For more information, please call (910) 521-6325 or (910) 521-6820 or email 125@uncp.edu<span class='neIDcs' style='display:none;' data-neidcs="!~IDlt~!mailto:patricia.fields@uncp.edu\!~IDgt~!"> . You may also visit the 125th website at www.uncp.edu/125/.