WAVE OF RELIEF

The Student Emergency Fund raised approximately

$123,174 and has been awarded to 267students to date. A Wave of Relief

The COVID-19 pandemic caused hardship around the globe. One of the many ways UNCW responded was establishing the donor-supported Student Emergency Fund. Thanks to the generosity of alumni, parents, employees and friends, approximately $123,174 has been awarded to 267 students to date.

Kaela Bedics ’17, ’18, a current graduate student who holds bachelor degrees in criminology and psychology, as well biology and marine biology, had just completed her first semester as a graduate student when the COVID-19 outbreak began. The company she worked for saw a rapid decline in business as the travel economy quickly disintegrated. She found herself laid off and without health insurance.

“A layoff is a shocking experience,” said Bedics. “I found myself trying to figure out how I would support my household while paying for a dozen or so medications each month, one of which is nearly $6,000 without insurance.”

It was then that she saw an email from Chancellor Sartarelli that included information about the emergency fund encouraging students to apply if they were in need. The grant has provided both mental and physical relief to Bedics. “As someone who lives with a chronic autoimmune disease, there’s a particular kind of stress that comes from a pandemic,” she said. The philanthropic grant she received enabled her to continue her classes and she will reenter the workforce more prepared and more confident.

“I can’t begin to express the depth of my gratitude to each and every donor. I look forward to the day when I have the ability to provide such a meaningful opportunity to someone else in the Seahawk family.”

– Caroline Cropp ’99, ’06M