Saturday, May 18, 2002

WILMINGTON, NC – The University of North Carolina at Wilmington awarded more than 1,200 undergraduate and graduate degrees today in two ceremonies in Trask Coliseum.

At the 1:30 p.m. ceremony for degree candidates in the College of Arts and Sciences, legendary jazz musician and Wilmington native Percy Heath received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degree. Commencement exercises for graduates of the Cameron School of Business, Watson School of Education and the School of Nursing were held at 9:30 a.m.

In response to student wishes and in lieu of a keynote graduation speaker, each graduate was personally acknowledged and congratulated by UNCW Chancellor James R. Leutze or Provost John C. Cavanaugh. In addition, five students were recognized for outstanding academic or leadership performance at the afternoon ceremony.

The December 2001 and May 2002 graduates who recorded the highest grade point average in their respective classes and whose academic work was completed exclusively at the university received the UNCW Alumni Association Scholastic Achievement Award.

Rebecca Anne Heine, a 1998 graduate of John T. Hoggard High School, was the December 2001 recipient. Heine, who resides in Orlando, Fla., earned a bachelor’s degree in English. The May 2002 recipient, William Grant O’Neal of Rocky Mount, received a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry. He is a 1998 graduate of the North Carolina School of Math and Science.



Adrien Kay Lopez of Valdez, Alaska, received the William A. Bryan Senior Leadership Award. The award, co-sponsored by the UNCW Alumni Association and the Center for Leadership Education and Service, is given annually to a graduating senior who has exemplified outstanding leadership throughout his or her years at UNCW.

Lopez, who balanced leadership positions, activism and volunteer service, served as president of the Student Government Association during her senior year. She was also a member of the UNCW chapter of the NAACP for four years, serving as chapter vice president as a sophomore. As co-founder of the student organization People Educating with an Active Commitment to Equality (PEACE), Lopez worked to support under-represented populations at UNCW. In the greater Wilmington community, she assisted in Hurricane Floyd cleanup efforts and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a minor in Spanish, Lopez maintained a 3.7 GPA. Following commencement, she plans to teach children in Honduras.

Christopher David Goings of Wilmington won the Hoggard Medal, which is presented annually in honor of the late John T. Hoggard. The award recognizes the graduating senior, who, in the opinion of the faculty, has shown the most improvement while a UNCW student.

Goings first enrolled as a transfer student in spring 1993. Lacking direction and motivation, he left after spring semester 1996. He returned during the summer of 1999 with a renewed commitment and dedication. The psychology major discovered a passion for research. After Hurricane Floyd, Goings conducted a study on the effect of natural disasters on alcohol consumption. He presented his findings at the conference on the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy. Goings, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, is currently researching how people used alcohol to cope with the tragedy of Sept. 11.

Meghan Ann McCarry of Havertown, Pa., received the Rachel Freeman Service and Leadership Award. Established by UNCW and the Freeman family in honor of the late “Mae” Rachel Freeman, the award recognizes a graduate who has demonstrated commitment to better the lives of others and to create social change.

During her years at UNCW, McCarry tutored high school students and served as volunteer coordinator for the New Hanover High School Communities in Schools Program. She was also involved with Habitat for Humanity, Lake Waccamaw Boys and Girls Home, St. James Homeless Shelter and Special Olympics as well as community-wide hurricane relief efforts and Beach Sweep. Graduating with a double major in criminal justice and sociology, McCarry intends to pursue a career in juvenile corrections and a graduate degree.