PEMBROKE — Three scholarships have been established by Elliott Lowry and Anya Lowry Oxendine on behalf of their parents Craig and Elaine Lowry and grandparents Adna and Letha Mae Lowry and Alex and Lillie Strickland.
The three $1,000 scholarships were established at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke by the children of Public Schools of Robeson County Board of Education Member Craig Lowry to help students pursue careers in education.
The Lowry family has established the Adna and Letha Mae Lowry Memorial Scholarship, Craig K. and Elaine Lowry Family Scholarship and Alex and Lillie Strickland Memorial Scholarship with a desire to enrich the lives of students pursuing education. The family is made up of educators who have dedicated their lives in service to the community.
The scholarships were presented first to Craig and Elaine Lowry at Christmas.
Lowry said he and his wife were surprised and grateful for the gift that will keep on giving to deserving students and future educators.
“We are very proud that our children saw fit to help establish something like this on our behalf and on behalf of our parents,” Craig Lowry said.
Adna and Letha Mae Lowry Memorial Scholarship
The purpose of the Adna and Letha Mae Lowry Memorial Scholarship is to honor the Lowry family’s legacy of educators.
Both Adna and Letha Mae were proud graduates of the Cherokee Indian Normal School of Robeson County, which is now known as the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Their names can be found on the legacy bricks in front of Old Main.
Both Adna and Letha Mae dedicated their adult lives to public education. Adna went on to serve as a teacher and coach at Fairmont Indian School and as an administrator at Fairgrove School. Letha Mae pursued a career in teaching at Fairgrove and Green Grove schools, respectively.
Adna and Letha Mae had three children and eight grandchildren. Just like Adna and Letha Mae, their children and grandchildren were all graduates of the Public Schools of Robeson County.
Their daughter Linda retired from the school district as an administrative assistant at the Central Office.
Their youngest son Craig followed in his parents' footsteps as a teacher, coach, and administrator. Craig served as principal at Fairgrove Elementary just like his father did 30 years prior. Craig currently serves as the District 5 representative on the PSRC Board of Education.
As of February 2024, Adna and Letha's legacy continues, with many of their family members following in their footsteps to lead careers in education.
Their grandson Jay is a PSRC retired educator and coach and their grandson Anthony is currently a guidance counselor and Driver Education instructor. In addition, their granddaughter Anya is an elementary teacher, great-grandsons Trey and Adam are middle school teachers and coaches, and great-granddaughter Ashton is a teacher. Every educator mentioned above attended and graduated from the UNC-Pembroke School of Education. In addition, Adna and Letha Mae’s grandson Elliott is an avid volunteer coach.
“Public education has been a blessing to our family and it is our hope that our family passion continues for those who dream to change lives through education as we have and continue to do,” a statement from the family reads in part.
Recipients of the scholarship will be declared Education majors and graduates of the Public Schools of Robeson County who have intentions of teaching and coaching in Robeson County upon graduation.
Craig K. and Elaine Lowry Family Scholarship
“The purpose of this scholarship is to honor the lifelong dedication to public education by our parents,” said Elliott Lowry and Anya Lowry Oxendine in a joint statement.
Having collectively graduated from UNCP four times between them, with Craig graduating in 1978 and 1993, and Elaine in 1980 and 1990, both have spent their careers educating the youth within the Public Schools of Robeson County (PSRC).
Craig spent 33 years as a Science / PE teacher, coach, Driver Education instructor, and administrator before retiring as the Director of Child Nutrition in 2011. Elaine spent 31 years as a math teacher, and cheerleading coach before retiring in 2011 from the role of Beginning Teacher Coordinator for PSRC.
After retirement, Craig and Elaine have remained devoted to education. Craig has served as a PSRC Board of Education member since 2016. Elaine served as a mentor for newly hired teachers through a collaboration with the UNCP School of Education until 2020.
The donors wish to establish this scholarship to emphasize the importance of education.
“In an area that is underserved and underfunded, it is our goal that every child within Robeson County receives the same highly valued education that we and our parents received,” said Elliott Lowry and Anya Lowry Oxendine in a joint statement.
Recipients of the scholarship will be declared Education majors, PSRC graduates, and have intentions of teaching in Robeson County upon graduation.
“We appreciate all educators. There is no greater calling than one that involves the teaching of a child,” Elliott Lowry and Anya Lowry Oxendine said.
Alex and Lillie Strickland Memorial Scholarship
“The purpose of this scholarship is to ensure the legacy of our maternal grandparents is continued for generations to come,” said Elliott Lowry and Anya Lowry Oxendine in a joint statement.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Alex and Lillie grew up on farms in rural Robeson County and did not have the opportunity to pursue a formal education.
Alex was employed by Pembroke State University (which is now known as UNCP) for 32 years. He retired in 1992 as the Head Grounds Supervisor.
“Many of the beautiful landscape features that BraveNation enjoys today were planted by our grandfather,” Elliott Lowry and Anya Lowry Oxendine said.
During the early 1960s, Lillie served as a "Dorm Mother" who provided support and guidance for college students on campus, who were living far from home.
Though Alex nor Lillie had a formal education, they knew the importance of education and they worked to instill a love for education in their daughter, Elaine.
“They understood that possessing an education doesn’t make one person better than the other,” Elliott Lowry and Anya Lowry Oxendine said. “However, they believed that by obtaining a good education, a person could enjoy more opportunities to grow, prosper, give back to others and leave a lasting impact on their world.”
Alex and Lillie worked hard and served others throughout the entirety of their lives.
The donors wish to establish this scholarship to ensure future generations understand what an education can mean for a family.
Recipients of the scholarship will be declared Education majors, PSRC graduates, and have intentions of teaching in Robeson County upon graduation.
“Most importantly, just like our grandparents, recipients shall possess the heart of a servant and the desire to work hard for all he or she wants to accomplish,” said Elliott Lowry and Anya Lowry Oxendine in a joint statement.
Donations can be made to these scholarships through uncp.edu/give. Once on that page, select “Other” and enter the name of the scholarship. Gifts can also be made by check payable to UNCP Foundation with the name of the scholarship the gift is intended for written in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to UNCP Foundation, Office of Advancement, PO Box 1510, Pembroke, NC 28372.