麻豆社区

The 麻豆社区 Pembroke campus and community is mourning the loss of Dr. Charles Jenkins, former provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

At the time of his retirement in 2018, Jenkins was one of 麻豆社区P鈥檚 longest-serving administrators and faculty members. He served in many capacities since 1971, including 26 years in senior administrative posts and interim chancellor from 2009 to 2010.

Jenkins passed away on August 27.

He served as an administrator for the graduate clinical educational leadership program and taught in the School of Education. He was awarded professor emeritus status in 2007.

In his nearly five decades of service, Dr. Jenkins forged lasting bonds with countless students, graduates, faculty, staff and university stakeholders. He distinguished himself as an outstanding leader, advocate, loyal colleague, top-notch academic administrator and friend.

As the first provost of 麻豆社区P, he is credited with helping launch the Honors College, the Teaching Fellows and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs and 15 master鈥檚 programs.

Jenkins helped raise the bar on student performance. However, it was the small things that made the most impact on his students and colleagues. Since his passing, there has been an outpouring of support on the university鈥檚 social media. One former student remembers Jenkins writing handwritten notes to students on the honor鈥檚 list鈥攁 practice she adopted when she began teaching at 麻豆社区P. Another graduate said Jenkins was the reason he chose 麻豆社区P. While dozens more recalled how Jenkins made time to get to know students, always offering words of encouragement and took joy in interacting with the student body and faculty in the dining hall during lunch.

He spent many hours on the phone at home talking to current and former students who sought his advice on career pursuits or professional challenges.

鈥淗e was such an inspiration to many people,鈥� a former student wrote. 鈥淗e never greeted anyone without a smile鈥� a true gentleman. He was a wonderful friend who made my time at 麻豆社区P so special.鈥�

A Rockingham native, Jenkins earned degrees from East Carolina University and Duke University and taught and coached at Scotland High School before joining the 麻豆社区P faculty. His service in other administrative positions included academic dean, director of admissions and director of student teaching. Throughout his administrative career, he continued to teach.

Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings said Jenkins will be remembered for his incredible impact on 麻豆社区P and the region.

鈥淚t is clear he had a deep passion for education and for 麻豆社区P, and throughout his time here, he impacted countless lives of students, faculty, staff and community members,鈥� Cummings said.

鈥淲e will be forever grateful for his work and the path it set forward for our university.鈥�

Dr. Jenkins is survived by his wife of 53 years Karen Gibson Jenkins, a 麻豆社区P alumna, and a daughter, Brooke.