Wednesday, September 11, 2002

WILMINGTON, NC -- An extraordinary leader who brings out the best in her students, Rebecca Porterfield was named the inaugural recipient of the J. Marshall Crews Distinguished Faculty Award.

This new award, created by the Past Chair’s Council of the UNCW Alumni Association, was announced at last month’s fall faculty meeting. Dr. Porterfield, UNCW’s associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and Cameron School of Business professor, was unable to accept the award in person. She was in Virginia as part of an accreditation team for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and learned of the honor two nights later after arriving back in town in time to teach her MBA course.

“I was both surprised and shocked. It’s quite an honor to be recognized by the alumni. I can’t think of any higher compliment that a teacher can receive than to be singled out for recognition by former students,” Porterfield said.

“The award is one way for alumni to show our appreciation,” said Judge Rebecca Blackmore ’75, council chair. Members of the Past Chairs’ Council realized how much they had benefited from their UNCW education, and the guidance from the faculty had a positive impact on the majority of their lives, she added.

Porterfield’s nominator noted her impact on students and lauded her “unflagging encouragement to student after student. Becky seems to believe in the best of everyone, and perhaps because of that, students respond with excellent performance. . . Semester after semester one or more graduating student has named her as a professor having the most influence on their lives.”

Although Porterfield was the inaugural recipient of the award, the honor bears the name of fellow nominee J. Marshall Crews.

“When the committee received Dr. Crews’ nomination for the award, we concluded that he was too important to the history of the university to honor with a one-time award,” said Blackmore.

Crews, who joined Wilmington College in 1948, served the college and university for more than 30 years in several academic and administrative roles. In addition to teaching mathematics, Crews served as an academic dean, registrar and admissions director prior to his official retirement in 1981.

“I’m deeply honored and appreciative to have this award named in my honor,” said Crews. “One of the benefits of teaching is to help people and to make a difference in their lives. I always believed in being friendly with students for one day they will be your friends.”

Nominees for the J. Marshall Crews Distinguished Faculty Award must be or have been a full-time faculty member at the university for a minimum of seven years. Nominations are accepted from university faculty, staff or students as well as alumni and members of the community. In addition to a medallion, the winner receives a $500 cash stipend.

For more information, contact Dr. Porterfield at 910/962-3137 or Patricia C. Smith, executive director of the UNCW Alumni Association, at 910/962-2681.