PEMBROKE, N.C. – Outstanding alumni, including Judge James E. Lockemy, were honored during homecoming week at the 44th annual Alumni Awards Banquet at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
A South Carolina Court of Appeals Judge, Lockemy was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. He is a 1971 graduate.
Judge James Lockemy is the only recipient both of UNCP’s top alumni awards. The Dillon native has had an outstanding career in the military, law, politics and civic life.
During Homecoming 2012, UNC Pembroke continued its 125th anniversary celebration. Chancellor Kyle R. Carter praised the award winners and thanked 20,000 UNCP alumni who built an outstanding university over its 125 years.
“We have a lot to celebrate in our 125 years, and for 14 months, we are taking every opportunity to celebrate,” Chancellor Carter said. “Tonight, we recognize a group of individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their professions and excellence on the playing field.”
After law school at the University of South Carolina, Lockemy had a 30-year career in the military and retired a full colonel from the National Guard. After serving as a top aid to Sen. Strom Thurmond, he was elected to South Carolina’s House of Representatives in 1982. In 1989, he began an 18-year stint as a Circuit Court Judge and was elected to the Court of Appeals. A civic leader who worked on numerous community projects, he was also longtime Boy Scout leader and youth sports coach.
Bobby Brayboy, an old friend from Pembroke, introduced Lockemy who came to UNCP as a first generation college student and a non-traditional student who commuted from Dillon.
“Judge Lockemy worked three jobs to earn his college degree from UNCP,” Brayboy said. “He is a larger than life individual.”
In accepting the award, Lockemy thanked his family and the family and friends who supported him during his distinguished career.
“These accomplishments are in no way singular ones, but like all worthwhile deeds, the result of involvement, faith and the work of many people,” Lockemy said. “I hope that I deserve this honor, and I will strive to earn its worth in the future.”
The Appeals Court judge talked about his youthful dreams that were relinquished but not forgotten.
“In 1968, after finishing one year at The Citadel pursuing my dreams of someday being a military officer and studying history, I decided to get married,” he said. “I do not challenge nor regret that decision today.”
With a family to support, Lockemy’s parents, who had not finished grade school, encouraged him to attend UNCP and offered to pay his tuition if he would support his family.
“I studied hard at school during breaks at work, and even on the steering wheel while driving to Pembroke,” he said. “I was encouraged by some to forget my dreams of studying the arts and leading soldiers in uniform. According to them, I should consider myself fortunate if I one day became a shift leader at one of our textile mills.”
At the university, Lockemy experienced a perfect moment of inspiration that became a career.
“I cannot forget the wisdom of someone whom I only knew from afar – Dr. English Jones – who was nearing the end of his tenure as chancellor of the university.”
In his senior year, a door opened for the future barrister, when he was introduced to a fellow American Indian who had graduated from UNCP and became a judge in Alabama.
“A new goal made its entrance into my life,” Lockemy said.
With a distinguished career in law and in the military, Lockemy never forgot his other dream. In 2012, he earned a master’s degree history from The Citadel. His career in education came full circle.
“Today, I acknowledge that the fear of not being a military officer was pushed away at Pembroke,” Lockemy said. “The concern that I would not study history was shattered by my degree from Pembroke and the introduction to me of our then president led me to sitting on the second highest court in South Carolina.
“I must now not forget this honor of the opportunities afforded me by this school and the dedication of my father and mother. Thank you Pembroke,” Lockemy concluded. “I will not forget.”
Wendy Lowery, vice chancellor for the Office of Advancement, summed up the evening.
“I believe this is our most important event of homecoming week because we honor our alumni, our family,” Lowery said. “On what has been our best homecoming, this has been a wonderful evening, a moment we will carry throughout our lives.”
For more information about the Alumni Awards or other alumni programs, contact them at (910) 521-6252 or email alumni@uncp.edu.