In an emergency meeting Tuesday, June 16, the Board of Trustees acted quickly to begin the search to replace Dr. Allen C. Meadors, who will leave after 10 years as the top leader of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Meadors said he will take the helm of the University of Central Arkansas within two weeks. Central Arkansas is his alma mater, and Meadors is a native of that state.

UNC President Erskine Bowles will name an interim, Board Chair Dr. Breeden Blackwell said. The search process for a replacement will commence in early July with the election of new board leadership, the trustees agreed.

"I have discussed with President Bowles the formation of a search committee," Blackwell said. "I will keep you up to date on every step of the process."

The board will meet in July to elect new board officers and commence a search to replace Meadors.

Meadors carried his letter of resignation to Bowles on June 17. It becomes official on June 30.

The emergency meeting of the Board of Trustees was attended by incoming trustees: Dr. Robin Cummings, of Pinehurst, Donna Lowry, of Pembroke, Thomas Nance, of Whiteville, Arjay Quizon Jr., Student Government Association (SGA) president, and Lorna Ricotta, of Fayetteville.

Attending outgoing board members included: Marion Bass, of Charlotte, Donald Bonner, of Rowland, Sybil Bullard, of Pembroke, Milton Hunt ,of Pembroke, Roger Oxendine, of Rowland, and SGA President Hannah Simpson.

Roger Oxendine, who was board chair and chair of the search committee when Meadors was hired, offered words of praise for UNCP's departing leader.

"I am so proud of the accomplishments here over the last 10 years," Oxendine said. "We can look back today and see what a tremendous feat it was."

Oxendine said Meadors preserved the university's heritage, grew enrollment and brought football back.

Blackwell said Meadors' accomplishments are "too numerous to mention."

"His leadership has been phenomenal," the board chair said. "I am proud of his legacy of accomplishments."

Meadors said his home state called him, and "I'm honored to have the opportunity to go back to my alma mater.

"I feel very good about what we've accomplished at UNCP. I only hope I can feel as good about my time at Central Arkansas as I have about my time in Pembroke. There is a wonderful group of people here."