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Alumni Association gets license plate revenue
Alumni relations staff was happily surprised when the mail arrived on July 23, and it included a check for $4,125 from N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles. The amount covered third and fourth quarter revenues from the sale of UNCW specialty license plates, money the university did not expect to receive since Gov. Mike Easley reportedly had seized these funds statewide to help balance the budget. (Read the Wilmington Star-News editorial on the subject.) Nearly half of the money the alumni association budgets for its scholarship program comes from the state specialty license plate fund. For every Seahawk license plate alumni and friends purchase, $15 goes to the scholarship program which awards 13 scholarships valued at $1,500 or more. The number of UNCW license plates issued is very close to the 2,000 mark, according to Pat Smith ’72, the association’s executive director.

Click HERE to download the form to obtain a UNCW license plate or visit the NC DMV Web site.

Alumni participation sought for February conference
The UNCW Center for Leadership Education and Service is seeking alumni to participate in the 10th annual Southeastern African-American Student Leadership Conference in February 2003. The conference will incorporate history, unity, self-improvement techniques, leadership skills and moral values to inspire and motivate the intellect of young African-American collegians and high school students to be productive leaders. Conference workshops and social activities will address topics that promote leadership, self-awareness and issues that are relevant in the African American community as well as the world. Alumni interested in participating can contact Shelly Hoover, Center for Leadership Education and Service, at 910.962.3877 or Joanne Nottingham, Office of Campus Diversity, at 910.962.3832.

Crew's history of Wilmington College was reprinted this year.

Distinguished Faculty Award
named for J. Marshall Crews
The Past Chairs' Council of the UNCW Alumni Association will present its first Distinguished Faculty Award Aug. 20. The inaugural recipient will be named at the 4 p.m. faculty meeting in the Cameron School of Business auditorium. The council voted to name the award for Dr. J. Marshall Crews, former mathematics professor, registrar, academic dean, assistant director of admissions, director of admissions and college historian. Dr. Crews served the college and university for over 33 years, and he continues to support UNCW on various levels. Former student Jim Medlin ’52 said, "There is no better role model. He has stood the test of time and is a premiere candidate for this award."

Board member spotlight
One of the alumni association’s newest board members who took office in July is very serious about the term "volunteer." Melissa Blackburn-Walton ’87 did heroic work with the annual "Picnic in the Park" sponsored by the Cameron School of Business Alumni Chapter and the alumni association. Melissa acquired 12 “flashy” door prizes that lit up the eyes of the 140 alumni, faculty, staff and friends who attended the event. She also used her elbow grease to prepare for that night of fun. Melissa is married to Michael, and they have a daughter, Sabra, 6. They enjoy doing things together as a family – especially camping the old fashioned way, in a tent. Melissa is the banking services supervisor for Reeds Jewelers in Wilmington and has been with them since graduating from UNCW.

Chancellor Leutze announces plans to retire in 2003

James Leutze

Chancellor James R. Leutze announced plans July 19 to retire effective June 30, 2003, or when his successor has been appointed. Leutze said he looks forward to “leading UNCW for the next year, continuing its great progress. An important part of the current strength of UNCW will be that the university can attract an outstanding pool of candidates,” he said. MORE

Leutze, UNCW rank at the top
in Star-News leadership survey
Chancellor James Leutze, in recent polls of Wilmington area leaders and the general public, was ranked as the most powerful and effective civic leader in the region. UNCW was ranked the number one institution. Dan Cameron and Bob Warwick, who both have been instrumental in the university’s development, were recognized as the top business leader and Wilmington’s “hidden leader,” respectively. MORE

UNCW economists forecast local economy
to grow 2.8 percent over next year
Economic activity in Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender counties will rise 2.8 percent to $7 billion over the next 12 months, according to a forecast by UNC Wilmington economists Claude Farrell and William W. Hall Jr. MORE

Board of trustees news

Frank Block

At its July meeting, the UNCW Board of Trustees elected the following officers for 2002-03: Franklin Block, chair; Jeff Etheridge Jr., vice chair; and Alfred Carlton Jr., secretary.

Charlotte executive Krista S. Tillman was named to the UNCW Board of Trustees. Appointed by the UNC Board of Governors, her term expires June 2003. Tillman, who is president of BellSouth North Carolina Operations, fills the spot left vacant by the resignation of Margaret Dardess in March.

A.P. Carlton

On Aug. 13 A.P. Carlton began a one-year term as president of the 408,000-member American Bar Association. Carlton, who was profiled in the July 28 issue of the Business Journal, is the second North Carolinian to hold the post. He is a partner with the law firm Kilpatrick Stockton in Raleigh. Find about more at the ABA Web site


UNCW gets high praise in Surfing Girl magazine
The August/September issue of Surfing Girl magazine ranks UNCW right up there with the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Oahu, and the University of California, San Diego when it comes to surfing schools. The article says it’s the “perfect setting for a classic college experience,” plus the “quaint little town” of Wilmington “offers tons of bars” and Wrightsville Beach has “warm water in the summer and friendly beach breaks.”

Namings honor retired administrator, benefactor
Daniel B. Plyler was acknowledged for his 37 years of service to Wilmington College and UNCW with the renaming of M Street in his honor. He retired as a professor, but had the longest tenure as a dean at the university. Between 1970 and 1989, Plyler served three years as chair of biological sciences, two years as assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs, three years as academic dean and 10 years as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Sisson Family is pictured at the Hall of Exploration at CMS.

The late William E. Sisson was honored with the dedication of the lobby in the Center for Marine Science as the Sisson Hall of Exploration. This 2,750-square-foot space features several interactive exhibits and sculptures by Michael Van Hout and Dumay Gorham are also on display. Sisson, a successful businessman who built an independent oil company, donated in 1988 a remainder trust to UNCW, which, following his death in 1997, was valued at more than $800,000. Proceeds from the endowment will support marine-related projects.

Your name on a building? You can make it happen
UNCW trustees approved a plan in July that prices more than 50 naming opportunities in the Watson School of Education building currently under construction. While bond money covers the $18 million cost of erecting the building, money given for naming opportunities will fund scholarships and the building of the North Carolina Teacher’s Legacy Hall, a museum-like hall of fame honoring educators from all over the state. MORE

Would you like to make a gift to UNCW? Here’s how you can do it online.

Hosts needed for international students
The UNC Wilmington Office of International Programs invites community members to participate in the International Friendship Program by serving as host to an international student who will be attending UNCW this fall. MORE

Wilmington Rotary Club donates archives
The Wilmington Rotary Club donated the Herman Blizzard Rotary Archives to UNCW, and they will be housed in the Randall Library. MORE

Top

Seahawks picked to repeat as CAA champions

Versatile swing man Taylor Lay, left, who started five games as a freshman last season at the University of Denver, has transferred to UNC Wilmington and will play men’s basketball for the Seahawks during the 2003-04 season. MORE

UNCW was picked to repeat as the CAA men’s basketball champion in 2002-03 according to a pre-season poll of the league’s 10 head coaches. The Seahawks, who return four starters from last year’s 23-10 squad, received six first-place votes and were ranked no lower than second on any of the ballots. George Mason got three-first place votes and was picked second in the poll, while Virginia Commonwealth was chosen third and Drexel, which received one first-place vote, was fourth. Hofstra was picked fifth, followed by Delaware and James Madison in a tie for sixth. Rounding out the poll were Old Dominion, Towson and William and Mary. MORE

Men's and women’s basketball
schedules announced
A season-opening battle with Texas Tech and legendary coach Bob Knight and matchups against members of seven different conferences highlight the 2002-03 UNC Wilmington men’s basketball schedule. MORE

A visit by Wake Forest and the return of the Hilton Wilmington Riverside Classic highlight the UNC Wilmington women’s basketball schedule for 2002-03. MORE

Senior forward Shameka Montgomery, left, was named second team All-CAA in the annual coaches poll released Wednesday. Montgomery averaged 13.3 points and led the Seahawks with 7.7 rebounds.

Blizzard, Callahan headline
pre-season all-CAA teams
UNCW senior guard Brett Blizzard, who earned CAA men’s basketball Player of the Year honors last season after leading the Seahawks to the conference championship, was the top vote-getter on the pre-season All-CAA men’s basketball team for 2002-03. The team was determined by a vote of the league’s 10 head coaches. MORE

UNCW names Cindy Ho women’s golf coach

Cindy Ho

Cynthia Ho was named UNCW’s women’s golf coach July 26 following a national search. Ho comes to the program following 10 successful seasons at Longwood University in Farmville, Va. A 1992 graduate of Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, Ho led Longwood to a pair of National Golf Coaches Association Division II National Championships titles (1993, 1995) and the 1994 Eastern College Athletic Championship. MORE

Capaccio named Seahawk Club director
Mike Capaccio, a visible figure in the athletic department since his arrival three years ago as director of basketball operations, was named director of athletic development and executive director of the UNC Wilmington Student Aid Association or Seahawk Club. Capaccio came to UNCW in 1999-00 to augment the growing men’s and women’s basketball programs before being promoted recently to director of student athlete operations. MORE

More news and upcoming sporting events

Lectures
The 2002-03 Leadership Lecture Series “Constructing Conscience: A Matter of Values” will explore themes of values, integrity and self-awareness in contemporary society. MORE

Bruce Feiler, 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30, Kenan Auditorium. “Jews, Christians and Muslims: Unity and Discord Among the Children of Abraham.” The lecture is free to university students, faculty and staff and $6 a person for the general public. It is part of the Leadership Lecture Series and the Common Reading Program. Feiler is a National Public Radio commentator.

Performances
The 2002-03 Arts in Action performance series features eight music, dance and theatre offerings October through April. MORE

Exhibits
“Spiritual Vibrational Awakening and Insight into Self” is on exhibit through Sept. 30 in the University Union Living Room. The exhibit features the work of local artist and healer Patricia Palmer. Meet the Artist between 5 and 7 p.m. Aug. 22 at the exhibit. MORE

Calendar
Aug. 17 – Freshman Move-In

Aug. 18-19 – Freshman and parent orientation

Aug. 20 – Wilmington Symphony Orchestra auditions, Aug. 20, Kenan Hall. Call 791-9262 for an audition package.

Aug. 21 – First day of classes

Sept. 2 – UNCW offices closed for Labor Day

Sept. 27-29 – Family Weekend

Oct. 4 – Young Alumni Council meeting

Oct. 4-5 – Riverfest Weekend

Oct. 17-18 – UNCW Board of Trustees meetings

Oct. 19 – Reunion for Wilmington College/UNCW classes 1960-1969

Oct. 27 – Carolina Panthers NFL Adventure - alumni train trip/tailgate party from Raleigh to Charlotte

Nov. 2 – Alumni board of directors retreat

Feb. 8 – Homecoming 2003

April 26 – Cape Fear Alumni Golf Classic at Echo Farms

Campus News - Read more of the latest news and events happening across campus.

UNCW Alumni Association - We encourage all men and women who attended or graduated from Wilmington College and/or the University of North Carolina at Wilmington between 1946 and the present time to become involved. Active status requires a contribution of $25 or more to the UNCW Alumni Association each fiscal year (between July 1-June 30). Your contribution supports the many programs provided to alumni and students. Spring 2002 graduates can become active in the association for half-price with a $12.50 contribution. During Senior Salute in March 235 graduating seniors signed up.

Admissions - UNCW is one of the South’s best undergraduate teaching institution as evidenced by a high demand from talented students to be admitted (7,300 applications for 1,650 freshmen slots for fall semester 2002), national recognition, and growth in regionally relevant programs such as gerontology, public administration and film studies.

Campus Communique - UNCW's weekly faculty/staff newsletter.

UNCW Magazine – Spring/Summer 2002 issue – coming in June – Due to state budget cuts, the magazine will not be printed, but it will be available only online at www.uncwil.edu/alumni

Lifelong Learning - The UNCW Division for Public Service and Continuing Studies offers a variety of classes and programs for all interests and ages, on campus, around town and via the WWW.

Transcripts

Career Services - Need help with career planning, finding a job, honing your job search skills?

Ways to Support UNCW - As state funds are cut, public universities like UNCW are increasingly seeking private funds to support academic and athletic programs. There are many ways your contribution can help UNCW maintain its status as a top public undergraduate institution.

Live on Campus - The Webcam atop Randall Library overlooks the Campus Commons and gives you a real-time view of the scenery.

This electronic newsletter is produced by the UNCW Office of University Relations in cooperation with the UNCW Alumni Association and Advancement Services Office. Send all questions, comments and other feedback to alumnews@uncw.edu. If you wish to change your e-mail address or if you want to be added to or removed from our mailing list, please respond to alumnews@uncw.edu and note your request in the subject line or call us at 910.962.4186 or toll-free at 1.866.GO.UNCW1 (866.468.6291).

Marybeth Bianchi, editor

© University of North Carolina at Wilmington, August 2002