Wednesday, January 31, 2001

WILMINGTON - Hannah S. Block and Norm Melton were honored by the UNCW Alumni Association at its annual awards dinner January 26.



Each year at homecoming the association recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the university and the community.



The 2001 Alumnus of the Year Award was presented to Melton, a marketing teacher and DECA advisor at North Brunswick High School since 1979. In that position he has received many local and state honors and has provided outstanding leadership to students involved in the DECA program, many of whom have gone on to win state and national competitions. The program itself has won numerous awards including the Governor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service for four years.

Melton is the driving force behind the annual North Brunswick High School and community effort to collect food and gifts for Thanksgiving food baskets and the Christmas angel tree program. Well-known for his caring and concern for students, especially those who are less fortunate, Melton has throughout the years "provided them with opportunities to succeed as students so they could succeed in the world of work," fellow teacher and alumnus Frank Bua wrote in his nomination letter.



A 1974 graduate of UNCW, Melton has been active in the alumni association since 1984, serving in numerous volunteer leadership positions, including 1996-97 board chairman, when the association completed its $400,000 loan obligation for renovation to Wise Alumni House. He currently serves on the past chairman's committee.



In introducing, Hannah Block, the recipient of the association's Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award, Tyrone Rowell, senior associate vice chancellor for advancement at UNCW, said, "Her fingerprints can be found on almost every significant and positive movement this town has experienced for the past 65 years."



Her many accomplishments include being the first female head lifeguard on the N.C. coast at Carolina Beach during World War II. As a charter board member of the USO in Wilmington she has continued to fight to keep this landmark standing. She was the first woman elected to the Wilmington City Council and, as mayor pro-tem 1961-63, traveled to New Jersey to accept the USS North Carolina on behalf of the city of Wilmington. She was the first woman delegate to the Rivers and Harbor Congress in Washington in 1963, Woman of the Year in 1953, and founder of the Azalea Festival patron's party and pageant. She served as American Legion Auxiliary president and as a member of the Thalian Association board of directors, Shaw-Speakes Center advisory board and New Hanover Regional Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.



"A woman of vision," Block, beginning in the mid-1960s, realized the importance of historic preservations and has since restored nine homes, including those of opera singer Caterina Jarboro and writer Robert Ruark, Rowell noted.

Additional information on the awards or award winners can be obtained by contacting Patricia C. Smith, executive director of alumni relations, at 910.962.2682 or 800.596.2880.