麻豆社区

麻豆社区 Pembroke alumni Ronnie and Tina Oxendine have committed $1 million to establish the Ronnie and Tina Oxendine Scholars Program. This prestigious and renewable scholarship provides full financial support to high-achieving students.

The Oxendine Scholars Program covers tuition, fees, room and board and includes funding for additional experiential learning opportunities such as study abroad or leadership development. The program launched this fall with its first two recipients: nursing major Jordan Winans of Cameron, N.C., and computer science major Julian Caverte, originally from New York and most recently Delaware.

鈥淲e are deeply grateful to Ronnie and Tina for this extraordinary gift, which will transform the lives of future Braves,鈥� said Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings. 鈥淭he support this scholarship provides will empower students to focus fully on their education and achieve their goals. Ronnie and Tina are planting seeds of hope and opportunity that will have an immediate and lasting impact on 麻豆社区 Pembroke and its students for years to come.鈥�

For Ronnie and Tina, education was a family priority from a young age.

鈥淔rom the time I was about seven or eight years old, sitting at the breakfast table with my sister, I was always told, 鈥榊ou鈥檙e going to college,鈥欌�� Ronnie recalled. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 even know if I knew what college was at the time, but that was instilled in us very early.鈥�

When his father, Conrad Oxendine, a member of 麻豆社区P鈥檚 first four-year graduating class of 1940, could afford to send only one child to school, Ronnie decided to put himself through college. He completed his degree in biology in just two and a half years, graduating with honors before launching a 20-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, followed by success as a defense contractor and business owner.

鈥淭his scholarship is our way of giving back to the university that opened so many doors for us. We want to help others succeed the way 麻豆社区P helped us.鈥�

One of Ronnie鈥檚 favorite stories illustrates the lasting impact of his 麻豆社区P education. Years after graduation, while working as a defense consultant, he was offered a high-level missile defense project that required a specialized qualification.

鈥淚 told them I had a biology degree from Pembroke, but they said that wouldn鈥檛 work,鈥� he said with a laugh. 鈥淪o, I called 麻豆社区P and sent over my transcript. A week later, they told me, 鈥楳r. Oxendine, did you know your alma mater started a nursing program? Because of that, you鈥檙e now qualified to do the work we need.鈥� That led to an $8 million contract. So, if you don鈥檛 think your university will impact your life long after graduation 鈥� it does.鈥�

Tina earned her bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees from 麻豆社区P and built a career in education inspired by her mother, the late Emma Lee Locklear, a 1962 graduate who helped establish the Class of 1962 Endowed Scholarship.

鈥淢y mother taught us that education isn鈥檛 just about books, but it鈥檚 about humanity and the ability to make a positive impact,鈥� Tina said. 鈥淓very child she helped blossom became her child, too. She gave her time, her praise and her wisdom. That鈥檚 the example we carry forward.鈥�

The Oxendines鈥� deep affection for 麻豆社区P is reflected not only in this new scholars program but also in previous gifts, including an endowed scholarship and a memorial bench honoring both the Oxendines鈥� parents.

鈥溌槎股缜鳳 is not just a university to us; it鈥檚 our home,鈥� Ronnie said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to see how much it has grown and to play a part in its future.鈥�

For Jordan Winans, the scholarship is a connection to the place she鈥檚 also called home since childhood.

鈥淢y dad works at Pembroke, so I鈥檝e grown up on campus my whole life. It just feels like a second home,鈥� Winans said. 鈥淲hen I found out I鈥檇 been selected, I started jumping up and down. To see alumni giving back to what was once part of their life and carrying on that legacy 鈥� it鈥檚 really special and important.鈥�

Winans plans to pursue a career in nursing, with interests in both emergency and labor and delivery care. 

Julian Caverte, who moved to the U.S. from the Philippines in 2021, said the scholarship has allowed him to pursue his passion for technology without financial worry.

鈥淚 was just shocked when I got the call. I couldn鈥檛 believe I鈥檇 been selected for such a prestigious award,鈥� Caverte said. 鈥淭his scholarship takes the weight of costs off my shoulders and allows me to explore all my options. I鈥檇 like the Oxendines to know their generosity won鈥檛 go to waste.鈥�

Caverte plans to work as a software engineer for a leading tech company.

The Oxendines worked closely with Branan Dennard, director of development, to shape their vision for the scholarship and bring the program to life.

鈥淚鈥檝e had the privilege of working with Ronnie and Tina since I started at 麻豆社区 Pembroke, and being a small part of bringing their vision to life has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,鈥� Dennard said. 鈥淭heir generosity and love for this university are genuine and inspiring.鈥�

The Oxendine Scholars Program supports 麻豆社区P鈥檚 mission to expand access and opportunity while attracting top-performing students. Recipients are selected through a competitive process.

鈥淩onnie and Tina Oxendine exemplify what it means to give back with purpose,鈥� said vice chancellor for Advancement Anita Stallings. 鈥淭heir gift immediately changes students鈥� lives 鈥� removing financial barriers, fostering leadership and empowering success. It鈥檚 an inspiring example of alumni using their own 麻豆社区P experience to open doors for others.鈥�

To learn more about how you can make a transformational difference through a major or planned gift to 麻豆社区 Pembroke, contact University Advancement at 910.521.6184, or visit .