Trustee Spotlight:
Juanita Pruitt Pilgrim S
he is a community servant, devoted wife, and loving grandmother. FSU Trustee Juanita Pilgrim is all of those and then some, and even though she has retired as Deputy County Manager for Cumberland County, time is something she has very little of these days. Why? Her work on local and state boards and taking care of her family keeps her busy.
Where are you originally from? Boston, Massachusetts How did you end up in North Carolina? Sam Jones came to Boston from North Carolina to play with the Boston Celtics. He and I met through my brother. Sam is a graduate of North Carolina Central University (formerly North Carolina College) and he recommended that I apply for admission. I was working full time at the telephone company. He recruited several students. I entered NCCU January 1960 and received my Bachelor of Science degree in 1964 in business/biology with a minor in education and Master of Science in business/ education in 1965. What do you remember most about college? Friends, students and instructors. I still see them from time to time. I still remember one of my favorite instructors, Mrs. Julia Harris, an English professor. She was a wonderful lady and she made the English lectures very special. What are you enjoying most about retirement? Having time to do some of the things that I need to do. Having time to spend with my mother who is 97 years old, and children and grandchildren. Having the opportunity to choose what to do. Traveling as often as possible. What do you miss most about going to work each day? I miss the people I had the opportunity to work with, and the interaction I had with the citizens of Cumberland County. I loved my work and enjoyed working and finding ways to help others. What is the latest book that you have read? THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett and BETRAYED, by Suzetta Perkins Tell us about your family: husband, children and grandchildren: Husband: James J. Pilgrim, Jr., DDS, FICD, Retired Colonel U. S. Army – 30 years; Retired from Fayetteville Technical Community College, chair of Dental Program, served as Acting Dean of School of Health Sciences, FTCC. He currently provides services to local dentists. Married 46 years on August 14. From Hendersonville, NC;
Daughter Jamese Pilgrim Kerns, lives in Atlanta with her husband and three children; son James Pilgrim, III, CRNA, lives in Fayetteville and works at Cape Fear Valley Health System. He has six children. What civic/social organizations are you a member of? Member of the Fayetteville Chapter of Links, Incorporated; Fayetteville State University Board of Trustees; N. C. State Employment Security Commission; Chair, Communicare, Inc.; member, St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church What do you enjoy most about serving on the FSU Board of Trustees? Interaction with Trustees, Administration, faculty and students. Seeing the students transform into mature adults. Very proud to see the number of young men and women graduating from college who perhaps would not have a chance if it were not for FSU. Complete the following statement: Chancellor James Anderson is … : Exactly what Fayetteville State University needs if we are serious about preparing our students for the 21st century with the tools to think, work, and participate in a global society.
Spring/Summer 2011
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