On September 20, 2016, the American Indian Center (AIC) named the first recipient of the Faith Danielle Hedgepeth Award at the annual luncheon that celebrates the life and legacy of former Tar Heel, Faith Danielle Hedgepeth. This Award will be given annually to a UNC sophomore student interested in pursuing a career in a helping or health profession and serving American Indian populations.
This year’s recipient was Cheyenne Bullard. Cheyenne is double majoring in Psychology and American Indian and Indigenous Studies. She has dreams of going to medical school, focusing on pediatrics similar to the dreams of Faith. Cheyenne is an outstanding student who thrives both inside of the classroom and in her service to American Indian populations. She is a Carolina Covenant Scholar, recipient of the Golden LEAF Scholarship and Triangle Community Scholarship, and an active member is the Carolina Indian Circle and Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc. Cheyenne hopes to one day return to her hometown of Maxton, NC to be among her fellow members of the Lumbee Tribe and has plans to improve the health of her community.
At the Faith Danielle Hedgepeth Luncheon, Cheyenne was congratulated by Faith’s family, Chancellor Carol Folt, AIC staff, and a host of UNC campus partners and students. The AIC congratulates Cheyenne on being the first recipient of this award and looks forward to witnessing the impacts she will make through her service to the American Indian population.
Background on the Faith Danielle Hedgepeth Award:
The Faith Danielle Hedgepeth Award seeks to celebrate and honor the life of former Tar Heel, Faith Danielle Hedgepeth. Established in 2015, the award serves to support current Tar Heels along their academic journey while providing an avenue for impact outside the classroom though extracurricular engagement, as Faith did during her time on campus. Faith was involved in various student organizations such as the Carolina Indian Circle (CIC) as well as others. She was a cherished member of the Summer Bridge family and many other social circles. A central goal of Faith’s educational pursuits was to be better positioned to have a positive impact in her community upon completion of her present and future studies.
The Faith Danielle Hedgepeth Award grants $1000, which can be used for book expenses, supplies, and basic living expenses for a sophomore student interested in pursuing a career in a helping or health profession and serving American Indian populations. Interested students should also demonstrate a record of service to the American Indian campus community.
How to Contribute to this Award:
Please consider supporting future UNC students by contributing funds to the Faith Danielle Hedgepeth Award. Your donation will be fruitful in supporting the next generation of leaders serving Native communities.
- Online at giving.unc.edu/gift/aic
- Select “The Faith Danielle Hedgepeth Award” Fund
- Check Payable to the UNC American Indian Center
- Write in the memo line Faith Danielle Hedgepeth Award
- Mail to 113A Abernethy Hall, CB# 3457, Chapel Hill, NC
