PEMBROKE — The president of the Health Careers Club at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke can’t be sure how many future health professionals stopped by his club’s table Wednesday during the university’s annual Pembroke Day.
But with the large turnout of students and other community members for the event, Thristan Clark said the number could be significant.
“About 30 or 40 people stopped by to ask questions and gather information,” said Clark, a senior who hopes to pursue a career as a family medicine and primary care physician when he graduates. “We now have well over 50 members in our club, which serves to get students on the pathway to the health career of their choice.”
The Health Careers Club was one of about 46 student clubs and organizations that participated in Wednesday’s event held on the University Quad, located on the UNCP campus between Old Main and the Mary Livermore Library. Student clubs and organizations were included in the total of about 180 venders that offered everything from information about educational programs, careers and the community of Pembroke, to food, arts and crafts, and free promotional giveaways.
UNCP has partnered with the town of Pembroke to sponsor Pembroke Day since 1989. This year’s event, the 27th, had to be postponed from Sept. 28 because of the threat of inclement weather.
As part of the event, the university’s Student Health Services held a health fair that include free health screenings, and several area health agencies had representatives present to offer information and answer questions on a variety of health-related issues.
Entertainment was provided by the Pembroke Singers, the Spirit of the Carolinas Marching Band, and the University Chorale. Miss UNCP Madison Davenport, the Lumbee Ambassadors and Southern Sun also performed.
Students participating in the event who spoke with The Robesonian had nothing but good things to say about Pembroke Day and the positive effect it had on both students and others in the community.
“I love Pembroke Day,” said Blake Carney, a senior UNCP business major and member of Spectrum, the university’s LGBT+ support group. “There are a lot of free things given away, and there is an opportunity for all of us us to learn about our community.”
Several sisters from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. agreed. For its [part in the event, the sorority sold red velvet cupcakes and Candy Kabobs.
“This is a good event,” said Macie Bethea. “It brought students and the community together. It offered us a chance to do some networking.”
