Pearce makes history at UNCW

Last Friday, Linda Pearce took the reins of the highest position at UNCW – the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the second African American to do so and the first African American woman. Dr. Hubert Eaton served as board chair many years ago. Pearce has never hesitated to voice her concern about the lack of adequate diversity at the university. In her acceptance speech, she reiterated this concern.

Pearce is a graduate of Williston Senior High School and credits her former teachers with setting her on the path to success in life. She graduated from North Carolina College (now NCCU) and the University of the District of Columbia where she earned her Master’s Degree. She returned home in 1980 to care for her aging aunt and, the following year, established Elderhaus, an adult day care facility where she currently serves as its Chief Executive Officer.

Pearce’s goal is to do the very best she can because she knows others will be judged by her performance. She says “Right or wrong, that’s just the way it is.”.