UNC Pembroke has announced the appointments of four new members of its Board of Trustees––Ron Gibson '74, Jim Hyler and Pat Willoughby '76.   

Aspen Andersson, student government president, joins the board as an ex-officio member for the 2023-2024 academic year. 

The new trustees were sworn in on Thursday, Sept. 7 during the board's first meeting of the 2023-2024 academic year. During the meeting, Allen Jamerson and Ed Brooks were re-elected as chair and vice chair, respectively. Mickey Gregory was elected as secretary. 

Hyler, Gibson and Willoughby are highly regarded as successful leaders in the business community and each share a deep commitment to service. 

Gibson is the former family business owner of Gibson Oil and Gas Company. Hyler, a retired business executive, is the former president of First Citizens Bank. Willoughby is a former owner of six McDonald's franchises.   

"We are honored to welcome these four individuals to our Board of Trustees. Their backgrounds and experiences will undoubtedly enrich our institution's leadership as we navigate the path forward for UNC Pembroke," said Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings in a press release. 

“Their unique viewpoints and dedication to our university's success will be instrumental in our collective efforts to continue providing a transformative educational experience and empowering our students to achieve their full potential.”

Andersson, a senior political science major, plans to pursue a career in international diplomacy. She holds several leadership positions with SGA, Model United Nations, Lambda Sigma Honors Society and as a chancellor ambassador. This summer, she completed a four-week internship with the Legal Aid Justice Center in Charlottesville, Va., as a Roadmap Scholar with the University of Virginia Law School.