Produced by the Office of University Relations
EDITOR Jennifer Glatt ART DIRECTOR Shirl New DESIGN Kyle Prey PHOTOGRAPHY Jeff Janowski CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joe Browning Caroline Cropp ’99, ’06M Venita Jenkins Christina Schechtman Tricia Vance CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Bradley Pearce CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Thomas Cone CLASS NOTES Caroline Cropp ’99, ’06M Division for University Advancement WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO UNCW Athletics EDITORIAL ADVISORS Missy A. Kennedy ’01 Eddie Stuart ’05M BUSINESS MANAGER Kelly Baker EDITOR EMERITA Marybeth Bianchi
DEAR SEAHAWK COMMUNITY, Our campus and our country, not to mention our entire world, are being reshaped by tumultuous times and compelling concerns. The coronavirus pandemic, combined with the public health, societal, political and economic inequities it emphasized, is requiring all of us to take a comprehensive look at finding solutions to significant challenges. UNCW is involved in these efforts on many levels, from reopening campus to research and community engagement. One of our most important campus initiatives in the year ahead will focus on diversity, inclusion, equity and systemic racism. Our institution must do more to support Black students, recruit and retain Black faculty and staff, and educate our campus community about the devastating effects of centuries of discrimination in the U.S. To help our campus successfully navigate the fall semester and the years ahead, UNCW welcomed James J. Winebrake as our new Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Dr. Winebrake, who replaces Dr. Marilyn Sheerer, has already played an important role in guiding our academic enterprise through uncharted waters. He has been working closely with our staff in Academic Affairs and the Planning Team organizing our return to campus. To support the university’s ongoing growth despite the pandemic, we hope to maintain UNCW’s philanthropic momentum. Many alumni and friends, as well as students, faculty, staff and community partners, have generously supported the university in recent years, and we hope to continue inspiring your investment in our future. Creating globally minded citizens is at the core of our mission, and private gifts help us deliver on our commitment. As we continue to make our future brighter than the past, we thank all of our donors who have partnered with us in this pursuit. Finally, I want to conclude with our tribute to legendary Vice Chancellor Pat Leonard, who passed away peacefully on June 2, 2020. With 37 years of service to UNCW, she embodied the university’s deep commitment to students, and her presence on our campus enhanced the UNCW experience for generations of Seahawks. We proudly reflect on “VCPL” and her legacy in our cover story.
With best regards,
Jose V. Sartarelli Chancellor UNCW Magazine is published for alumni and friends of the university by the Office of University Relations, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 601 S. College Rd., Wilmington, North Carolina 28403. Correspondence may be directed to uncwmagazine@uncw.edu. UNC Wilmington is committed to and will provide equal educational and employment opportunity. Questions regarding program access may be directed to the Compliance Officer, UNCW Chancellor’s Office, 910.962.3000, Fax 910.962.3483. UNCW does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Questions regarding UNCW’s Title IX compliance should be directed to TitleIX@UNCW.edu. 93,500 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $42,921 or $0.459 per copy (G.S. 143-170.1). Printed by Hickory Printing Solutions, an RRD Company.
