Thomas Oxendine Endowed Scholarship

The Thomas Oxendine Endowed Scholarship is established by family and friends to honor his distinguished military service and life contributions to American Indian people. The family’s intent is to establish an award which will affirm and promote their belief in the enduring value of education with an appreciation for the academic discipline of American Indian Studies. The donor will commemorate the memory and legacy of the late Thomas Oxendine, who was the nation’s first American Indian Navy fighter pilot. Thomas, a highly decorated officer who fought in WWII and in the Korean and Vietnam Wars served his country with distinction. This endowed scholarship is meant to encourage and inspire recipients to recognize the importance and relativity of American Indian’s contribution to this country. The donor believes that education is a means of broadening one’s horizons, not only in the pursuit of a career but also in the quest to serve all humanity. Candidates qualified for this scholarship award shall be an American Indian Studies major pursuing an undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Recipients are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA and must be a sophomore or above in order to qualify for the scholarship. The Department Chair shall establish a committee to determine the recipient that is most deserving based on the criteria stipulated. The award will be made annually.