PEMBROKE, NC (WBTW) – A University of North Carolina at Pembroke student studying abroad is missing.
According to a release on the UNCP Facebook page, Deon D. Greene, a junior who is studying abroad at The National University of Costa Rica in Heredia, Costa Rica, remains missing.
Here’s the full release:
UNC Pembroke was notified late Monday, September 7, regarding this development. The Red Cross and the Coast Guard are actively searching for Greene as a host-country contact advised that Deon went into the ocean but did not resurface.
UNCP received the following statement on Tuesday from Alberto Salom, Rector for The National University of Costa Rica:
“The university has prioritized attention to this difficult situation, and we are devoting all that is needed,” he said. Dr. Salom has ongoing communication to Deon’s family through UNC Pembroke as information becomes available.
In Pembroke, Chancellor Robin Cummings has been following developments closely and expressed his concern for the family of Deon Greene.
“I spoke earlier to Rector Salom and we very much appreciate his efforts and those of The National University of Costa Rica to keep us and Deon’s family informed,” Chancellor Cummings said Tuesday afternoon. “We have been in constant contact with those on site in Costa Rica, and we are all doing everything possible to bring Deon home.”
The university leadership among UNC Pembroke and The National University of Costa Rica are encouraged by the partnership throughout this trying time and are looking to continue moving forward as partners in education.
“We are incredibly thankful to the agencies which are devoting their resources to the search for Deon,” Dr. Cummings continued. “The Red Cross, Coast Guard, Costa Rican authorities, and locals who are searching have our most sincere gratitude. As new information comes to us, we are sharing with the family and others as appropriate.”
Greene was studying abroad through a partnership between UNC Pembroke and the International Student Exchange Programs, a study abroad exchange consortium, where he is studying Spanish.
UNC Pembroke’s Counseling and Psychological Services department is available to all members of the campus community. Visit uncp.edu/CAPS for information on services or for additional contact information.
The university will update this news as the investigation progresses.
