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On a quiet path near the Thomas College of Business and Economics, a new bench invites students and visitors alike to pause, reflect and take in the surroundings. However, for Ron and Tina Oxendine, both proud alumni of UNC Pembroke, that bench is much more than a place to sit. 

It’s a tribute—a permanent reminder of two lives shaped by education, rooted in service, and forever tied to the university that helped launch their dreams.

The newly dedicated memorial bench honors the memory of Ron’s father, Conrad Oxendine, and Tina's mother, Emma Lee Locklear—both lifelong educators, 91��������, and pillars of the community.

“This bench symbolizes their love for education and the university that shaped their lives and ours,” said Ron Oxendine during the ceremony attended by Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings, university leaders, family and friends.

The moment held special meaning for Ron, a 1973 biology graduate, who had initially donated funds for a memorial bench more than 15 years ago in honor of his father, a beloved math teacher and World War II veteran. When the project was delayed, Ron and Tina decided to revisit — and expand — the vision, this time including Tina’s mother, a counselor, mentor and community leader who co-founded the Class of 1962 Endowed Scholarship.

Their decision reflects these two educators' profound influence on generations of students and their families. Conrad Oxendine, a member of UNCP’s first four-year graduating class in 1940, spent more than 40 years teaching at Prospect High School. Tina’s mother, Emma Lee, graduated in 1962 and devoted her life to uplifting others through education and cultural preservation and service. One of her cherished gifts to the university, a pinecone patchwork quilt, is now displayed in the Museum of the Southeast American Indian as a lasting symbol of Lumbee heritage and pride.

“My mother taught far beyond the classroom,” Tina shared during her remarks. “She mentored, quilted, counseled and gave selflessly. This bench will bear her name, but in my mind’s eye, I see her sitting here — encouraging others to learn, to lead and to care.”

As part of the dedication, the Oxendines also celebrated the creation of the Ron and Tina Oxendine Endowed Scholarship, a $100,000 gift established in 2024 to help future UNCP students pursue their educational journeys.

Chancellor Cummings praised the Oxendines’ vision and generosity. 

“These are not just acts of remembrance,” he said. “These are legacy acts — investments in students you may never meet. What a blessing to plant a tree whose shade you will never sit under.”

Ron and Tina both built careers in service — Ron through a distinguished 20-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps and business, and Tina through decades as an educator.

“We are here because of them,” Ron said. “And now, others will move forward because of them, too.”

To learn more about the Oxendine Endowed Scholarship or to honor a loved one through a legacy gift, contact the Office of Advancement at UNC Pembroke.