2004.10.29: October 29, 2004: Headlines: Staff: Obituaries: 2004The Robesonian : Paul R. Givens was a United States Navy veteran of World War II and a field selection officer for the Peace Corps
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2004.10.29: October 29, 2004: Headlines: Staff: Obituaries: 2004The Robesonian : Paul R. Givens was a United States Navy veteran of World War II and a field selection officer for the Peace Corps
Paul R. Givens was a United States Navy veteran of World War II and a field selection officer for the Peace Corps
Friends and colleagues are mourning the death of Paul R. Givens, who is being hailed as "a remarkable leader" who helped push The University of North Carolina at Pembroke forward.
Paul R. Givens was a United States Navy veteran of World War II and a field selection officer for the Peace Corps
Givens recalled as considerate leader, educator
Tamptha Allen-Staff writer
PEMBROKE - Friends and colleagues are mourning the death of Paul R. Givens, who is being hailed as "a remarkable leader" who helped push The University of North Carolina at Pembroke forward.
Givens, a former chancellor at UNCP, died Sunday in Tampa, Fla. He was 80 years old.
Current UNCP Chancellor Allen Meadows called Givens "a remarkable leader with an equally remarkable record."
Givens, a native of Wellsburg, Va., served as chancellor of what was then Pembroke State University from 1979 to 1989. During those 10 years, the Chancellor's Scholars program came to the campus; the American Indian Studies program was established; the broadcasting program was created; and the Herbert C. Oxendine Science Building underwent major renovations. Also during Givens' tenure, the Adolph L. Dial Humanities Building and the James C. Chavis University Center were constructed.
"I had the opportunity to meet Chancellor Emeritus Givens and learned to appreciate the leadership skills that he brought to this university," Meadows said. "The Givens' era witnessed a maturing university that was taking its rightful place as a regional university. Dr. Paul R. Givens was truly a great leader for The University of North Carolina at Pembroke."
The UNCP board of trustees named the Performing Arts Center in Givens' honor in 1985.
"Dr. Givens was a cheerful and giving individual," said Joe Sandlin, a member of the UNCP Foundation board. "He was very interested in raising money and getting the resources himself to accomplish, achieve and broaden Pembroke State University during his time."
Dalton Brooks, a professor in the chemistry and physics department, said Givens will be remembered for his compassion. During Given's term, Brooks served as the director of institutional research.
"He was concerned about every aspect of this university from its growth and development to the faculty and students," Brooks said. "His passion was to get quality professors here and he did that.
"There is a real sadness about his passing. He served the university with a lot of commitment. I am sure he left knowing that he was part of the commitment and dedication in developing an excellent university."
Before coming to Pembroke, Givens was the first chairman of the psychology department at the University of South Florida. He was a United States Navy veteran of World War II, a field selection officer for the Peace Corps and chairman of the board of the Temple Terrace Public Library. He was also an author, a member of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine and a published composer of music.
He is survived by his wife, Lee; three sons, Gregg, Stann and Rodeny; and a daughter, Deborah.
The funeral will be at 4 p.m. Friday at Terrace Temple Community Church, 210 Inverness Ave., in Tampa.
Memorials can be made to Paul and Lee Givens Endowed Scholarship at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, the Endowment Fund of the Temple Terrace Presbyterian Church or to the Kidney Foundation.
Copyright © 2004The Robesonian
When this story was posted in May 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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Story Source: 2004The Robesonian
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Staff; Obituaries
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