Amos Honors Family with UNCP Endowments

Maxine Locklear Amos lives by a simple philosophy: Freely give and you will freely receive.

It’s what inspired Amos, a third-generation educator, to make a bequest to UNC Pembroke to establish a trio of scholarships that will significantly impact students for generations to come. The Louie M. and Maxine Locklear Amos Memorial Scholarship was created first by Amos and her late husband, followed by the Roscoe and Winnie Catherine Locklear Scholarship and the Carrie Mae, Delton Ray, and Dorothy Locklear Scholarship in memory and in honor of Amos’ parents and siblings.

“For me, three things that have always been important in my life have been family, religion, and education,” Amos said. “My family has always been important to me. My mother was a wise woman. She always stressed the importance of getting an education. Before my husband died, we always talked about creating an endowment for my parents and for my siblings. I’ve always said if I can help somebody along the way, my living shall not be in vain,” she said borrowing lyrics from a popular gospel hymn.

Amos’ family tree is deeply rooted in UNCP history. Her grandfather and well-known educator, Anderson Locklear, was a member of the first class of Indian Normal School–later to become UNCP–where he served as a trustee for many years. Locklear Hall is named in his honor. A countless number of her family members are graduates and lifelong supporters of UNCP.

A career educator herself, Amos served 38 years as an educator in Burke, Cumberland, and Robeson counties. Although she’s not a UNCP alumna, Amos knows if it wasn’t for the university, many people in Robeson County would not have been able to earn a college degree. She believes in and has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education, and these experiences drove her decision to support others pursuing an education.

“These scholarships will help students improve themselves,” she said. “I’m primarily interested in someone who has potential but may be in need of some financial help. I hope through these scholarships I will have done my part. Hopefully others will see this and be willing to see how important this is, and share in my vision of wanting to help others.”