Tuesday, January 22, 2002

By Kristin Summerford, PR Intern

WILMINGTON, NC -- Wayne Jackson and James Stasios were honored by the UNCW Alumni Association at the annual awards banquet on Friday, January 18. Each year the association recognizes two individuals whose contributions have impacted the university and community.



James C. Stasios, a Jefferson Pilot investment advisor and 1970 UNCW graduate in business administration, was presented the Alumnus of the Year Award, which is given to a graduate who is distinguished due to his/her contributions of service to UNCW and the community. He currently serves as a UNCW Seahawk Club board member and was the head captain of the Seahawk Club membership campaign for two years. Stasios has served on the Board of Directors for the Alumni Association and was chairman in 1995-96.

Stasios was also the president of the Wilmington Kiwanis Club. He received many honors including the Lamar W. McIver (Kiwanian of the Year) Award and the Charles C. Chadbourn (Service to the Community) Award. He served as a board member and campaign coordinator for the Cape Fear United Way from 1993-94.

Wayne R. Jackson was honored with the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award, which is presented to a citizen of the Wilmington community who has made a positive impact on the community or has demonstrated an extraordinary service to the university.

Jackson held a 35-year career in radio (WCFC-WFMA Radio, Rocky Mount, N.C.) and television (WECT-TV 6, Wilmington, N.C.) broadcasting. He has remained an active volunteer for both the university and the community at large.

He serves as an announcer for the UNCW men’s basketball team game broadcasts carried live over 980 WAAV radio and was a member of the broadcasting team for UNCW’s first game from Trask Coliseum in 1977 when the Seahawks played the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Jackson is a founding member of the Seahawk Club. In April of 2000, he received the William J. Brooks Award from the UNCW Department of Athletics for his outstanding contribution toward the advancement of student athletes.

He was also honored with the Doctorate of University Friendship by former Chancellor William H. Wagoner “for 34 years of outstanding televised public support of UNCW and its many activities and in recognition of consistent high standards of professional integrity and sense of fair play.” For the past 11 years, Jackson has volunteered in the Division for Public Service and Extended Education as chair for the UNCW Adult Scholars Leadership Program.

He is the master of ceremonies for the annual NC State Ports Maritime Day and the Cape Fear Literacy Council’s Spelling Bee. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Community Boys & Girls Club and is a member of the YWCA racial dialogue group.