UNCW CELEBRATES 75 YEARS

Did you know that a sapling that survived the bombing of Hiroshima is planted on campus? Have you walked the 10-acre Herbert Bluethenthal Memorial Wildflower Preserve where Venus flytraps flower? Do you follow @geeseofuncw on Instagram?

The 2022-23 academic year is a time for Seahawks to reminisce and celebrate all things UNCW as the university commemorates its 75th anniversary. Established in 1947 as Wilmington College, the institution opened its doors as an educational center for veterans returning from World War II on Sept. 4, 1947, to 238 students.

By 1969, the college had grown significantly and joined the University of North Carolina System, changing its name to the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Today, the Seahawk community includes nearly 2,500 faculty and staff, almost 18,000 students and more than 100,000 alumni. The physical campus includes the main campus on South College Road, an extension campus in Jacksonville, NC, and the Center for Marine Science near Myrtle Grove.

Long recognized as a cornerstone of the greater Wilmington community, the New Hanover County Commissioners adopted a proclamation in recognition of UNCW’s 75th anniversary and officially welcomed Chancellor Aswani K. Volety as the institution’s seventh Chancellor in August 2022.

Visit uncw.edu/75 to read more about how Wilmington College evolved into UNCW, browse a collection of 75 Seahawk Snippets, see photos from then and now and more.

– Caroline Cropp ’99, ’06M

UNCW Recognizes Faculty for Excellence in Teaching, Research and Service

Each year, UNCW recognizes faculty who have made significant contributions in teaching, research and service. These individuals distinguished themselves within the university and in the broader community. Nineteen faculty were honored during the annual fall faculty meeting held on Sept. 15. Provost James J. Winebrake and Faculty Senate President Nathan Grove announced this year’s award recipients.

Dr. Kathy Fox, professor in the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, Literacy and Special Education, received the Distinguished Teaching Professorship Award and the Board of Trustees’ Teaching Excellence Award, the most prestigious award conferred at UNCW. She was also one of two recipients of the Distinguished Teaching Professorship Award, presented to faculty who have made a profound contribution to higher education through their dedication and service to students.

Dr. Jacquelyn Lee, associate professor in the School of Social Work, was the second honoree of the Distinguished Teaching Professorship Award. Dr. David Webster, senior associate dean of graduate studies, research and innovation in the College of Arts and Sciences, received the J. Marshall Crews Distinguished Faculty Award by the Alumni Association. The award honors a faculty member who exhibits leadership in the areas of service, student support, community service and outreach efforts. Dr. Brian Arbogast, a professor in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology, was recognized earlier this year as a recipient of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors’ Award for Excellence in Teaching. He was among 17 outstanding university faculty members throughout the UNC System recognized for their extraordinary contributions. In addition, full-time faculty members who have been at UNCW for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years were honored for their years of service.

– Venita Jenkins

The following awards were also presented:

Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award

Dr. Maria Cami-Vela, World Languages David Gessner, Creative Writing

UNCW Distinguished Scholarly Engagement and Public Service Awards

Dr. Kimberly Cook, Sociology and Criminology, Senior Faculty recipient Dr. Josalin Hunter, School of Social Work, Rising Faculty recipient Dr. Jennifer Le Zotte, History, Rising Faculty recipient

Graduate Faculty Mentor Award

Dr. Narcisa Pricope, Earth and Ocean Sciences

Lecturers of the Year

Sara Miller, Health and Applied Human Sciences Amy Van de Motter, School of Social Work Dr. Carol Plautz, Biology and Marine Biology

Part-time Lecturer of the Year

Richard Davis, Sociology and Criminology

Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Awards

Cameron School of Business

Dr. Stephen Hill, Congdon School of Supply Chain, Business Analytics and Information Systems

College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Nathan Crowe, History Dr. Stephanie Kamel, Biology and Marine Biology

College of Health and Human Services Dr. April Matthias, School of Nursing

Watson College of Education

Dr. Shelby Morge, Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, Literacy and Special Education

Front row (L to R): David Webster, Sara Miller, Kimberly Cook, Kathy Fox, Maria Cami-Vela, Amy Van de Motter, Josalin Hunter, Provost Jamie Winebrake

Back row (L to R): Aswani K. Volety, Shelby Morge, Richard Davis, Stephanie Kamel, Nathan Crowe, Carol Plautz, Jacquelyn Lee, Brian Arbogast