Tuesday, February 29, 2000

Wilmington, NC- They may not be Oscars, but the awards presented to Gary W. Chadwick and the family of the late George Henry Hutaff by the UNCW Alumni Association recognize achievements just as notable. The two were honored at the annual UNCW Alumni Association awards banquet, in the UNCW Warwick Center ballroom.

Exceptional service to the community, leadership in the formative years of the alumni association, heroism, and leadership by example are just some of the reasons Gary Chadwick received this year's Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Chadwick, a 1969 Wilmington College graduate, is senior vice president of The Title Company of North Carolina, and he is vice president for Old Republic National Title Insurance Company. Even as a student at Wilmington College, Chadwick demonstrated his leadership skills by serving as student body president in 1968-1969.

His involvement and service to the community is evident by his serving as a board member for the Rotary Club, president and board member of the Brigade Boys & Girls Club, president and board member of the Seahawk Club, and president of North Carolina Land Title Association. Chadwick also supports the YMCA, Boy Scouts, Salvation Army, Christian Children's Fund, and the Yahweh Center.

The late George Henry Hutaff was honored as the Distinguished Citizen for Service to the Community and University for his accomplishments as a Wilmington businessman and his outstanding support and assistance to the community.

Hutaff specialized in selling sarsparilla and other popular drinks to local businesses and eventually began bottling seltzer water and fruit drinks. He made an important decision to sign a contract for a Coca-Cola franchise in 1902. Thus, Wilmington Coca-Cola Bottling Works was incorporated on July 10, 1909.

While managing one of Wilmington's most successful businesses, Hutaff remained active in the community. He was a member of the Germania Club and the Hanover Seaside Club. He was an active member of the New Hanover Fishing Club, and he set the record for the largest channel bass caught during the season in 1916. During World War I, he was chairman of the Soldier's Relief Committee of the local chapter of the Red Cross Society.

Hutaff was not just a member of clubs, but was also an active community member. He helped organize Sunday religious services at the local prison. He donated land for a park for the African-American community. A respected citizen,

he always gave back to the community in which he lived through kindness, sharing, and guidance.

"The recipients honored truly modeled and inspired in others civic involvement and unselfish giving, one of life's greatest lessons to learn," Patricia Corcoran Smith, executive director of alumni relations