Up & Coming Weekly

December 29, 2020

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 30, 2020 - JANUARY 5, 2021 UCW 11 NEWS Methodist University completes Duggins soccer stadium a STAFF REPORT Methodist University has a long-standing tradition of excellence on and off its athletic fields, as well as a tradition of strong alumni support. So, it's little wonder that the top-tier, independent institution in Fayetteville is unveiling its latest facility as "e Nancy and Murray Duggins Soccer Stadium." "e Duggins have a long history of support- ing not only Methodist University, but the entire Cumberland County community, and we are very grateful for their generosity," said Dr. Stanley T. Wearden, President at Methodist. "A top-of-the-line stadium that will offer students the opportunity to compete and succeed is perfectly in line with what the Duggins have done for years." Murray Duggins has been working in real estate in North and South Carolina for 50 years. With one of the largest and most successful apartment portfolios in the region, the Duggins' family of companies ex- panded into daycare, commercial construction and land development. A project close to the Duggins' hearts is the $110-million Hope VI affordable hous- ing apartments in Fayetteville. "I was in the third class to graduate at Method- ist (1966) and I have watched the school grow into an amazing educational institution," said Murray Duggins. "Methodist gave me the foundation to suc- ceed in the business world. For that I am eternally grateful. Methodist University is one of Fayetteville's greatest assets. Nancy and I have been honored to help advance the MU environment in the past and look forward to seeing our student-athletes excel in this stadium." "is gift will help us to recruit and retain top student-athletes who are strong both athletically and academically," said Wearden. "e Duggins' gift also helped MU to take another giant step in creat- ing a beautiful entrance to the university. We look forward to our first soccer match in 2021, and we hope Murray and Nancy Duggins will be able to attend so that our student-athletes can thank them in person." e Duggins Soccer Stadium features the addition of 200 permanent seats, a concession stand, ticket office for tourna- ment matches, and restrooms. ese improvements add to the two-story soccer fieldhouse and new stadium lights, which were installed in 2017. "ese stadium additions are a historical moment for our program," said Justin Terranova, who is in his 19th season as head coach of MU's men's soccer team. "We have been working toward this for many years and are eager to host our first match in this great facility." Bryan Madej, the women's soccer coach at MU, shared additional appreciation: "We are fortunate to have long-standing supporters of the soccer programs," he said. "Alumni, former players … there are just so many people to thank for what they've done for our student-athletes, this program and this university." e soccer stadium updates are just the latest in an ever-growing list of additions to MU athletic facilities. e university recently installed new stadium lights on the football field and renovated several holes at the Downback Golf Course, a full 18- hole course for students on the MU campus. "ese projects and others were completely fund- ed by gifts and donations," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Eavenson. "First and fore- most, we would like to thank all of the people whose gracious donations made these projects a reality. All of these improvements will serve our students well and go a long way to help us continue the tradition of excellence that MU athletics has established over the years." ough COVID restrictions eliminated fall inter- collegiate play, the MU soccer teams donned masks and followed all university and NCAA guidelines for practices and social distancing. If those restrictions are lifted in the spring, they will have the opportu- nity to host matches for the first time in their new stadium. "As this year has brought many challenges, it has opened our eyes to all that there is to be thankful for," said Daniel Magen, a junior co-captain on the men's soccer team. "We're proud to be playing on this beautiful field and stadium, and can't wait until the first match." Davenport selected for Agricultural Hall of Fame a STAFF REPORT Cumberland County Cooperative Extension an- nounced that Alfred Davenport has been selected as the 2020 Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductee. Due to COVID-19, the annual Farm City event and Hall of Fame ceremony, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville, was postponed. Davenport will officially be inducted into the Cumberland County Agricultural Hall of Fame in November of 2021. Davenport began his career with Cumberland County Cooperative Extension in 1974 as an Exten- sion agent. Selected as one of the top seven agricul- ture agents in 1979, he was honored for his work in horticulture, forestry, and 4-H. In 1980, Davenport transitioned to work exclusively with horticulture. "It is an honor to recognize Mr. Alfred Davenport's outstanding leadership and contributions to agri- culture," said Cooperative Extension Director Lisa Childers. "He was a pioneer in vegetable production and bringing new innovations to farmers. His contribu- tions over the years have had a significant impact on Cumberland County agriculture." A pioneer in the promotion and adaptation of the use of black plastic and drip irrigation, he promoted the use of this technology with numerous on-site demonstrations through the county, becoming the local expert on drip irrigation. Drip irrigation is an efficient, water-saving ir- rigation technique. Used in conjunction with black plastic, drip irrigation typically increases crop yields two to three times greater than conventional irriga- tion methods while reducing water usage. A longtime agriculture supporter, Davenport continued to serve the farming community for many years by serving as a member of the Farm Service Agency Board where his vast knowledge of produc- ing vegetable crops proved to be an asset. Retiring from North Carolina Cooperative Exten- sion in 1992, Davenport was greatly appreciated and respected among the agriculture community. Davenport is from the Seventy-First area of western Cumberland County. NC State Extension is the educational outreach provider of North Carolina State University. Exten- sion translates research-based knowledge in the ar- eas of agriculture, food and nutrition, and 4-H youth development into everyday solutions that help keep North Carolina growing. With local centers in all 100 counties and the Eastern band of Cherokee, NC State Extension works in tandem with N.C. A&T State University, as well as federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension. For more information visit https://extension.ncsu.edu Nancy and Murray Duggins are known for their business in Cumberland County and their generosity across the Carolinas. Alfred Davenport

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