Monday, March 31, 2003

TO: Southeastern North Carolina Media

FROM: Mimi Cunningham

DATE: March 31, 2003

RE: Press Luncheon - noon, Monday, April 7,

Executive Development Center at Landfall

You are cordially invited to attend a press luncheon to unveil UNC Wilmington’s new interactive public affairs television show, UNCW Community Link. UNCW Community Link reaches beyond the television studio to explore the compelling issues facing Southeastern North Carolina. No subject is out-of-bounds.

Hosts Betty Ann Sanders and H. E. “Hunter” Thompson will make the connections with viewers as they engage and challenge the region’s newsmakers and opinion-shapers. By providing a forum and a voice for the public, viewers will be able to speak out and be heard. Through collaboration with the Southeast Public Interest Network of North Carolina (www.SpinNC.org), citizens can use the latest Internet technologies to continue the dialog on show topics and community ideas.

Participating in the press opportunity will be UNCW trustees, Franklin Block, chair, and Linda Upperman Smith, who will join UNC Board of Governors member Hannah Dawson Gage and Division for Public Service and Continuing Studies Vice Chancellor Michelle Howard-Vital. Please join Mr. Block, Ms. Gage, Ms. Upperman Smith, and UNCW Community Link staff for this exciting announcement, a preview of the show, and a hands-on interactive tour. The media event begins at noon with lunch for the media immediately following. Ms. Sanders and Mr. Thompson will be available for interviews. The Executive Development Center is located at the Northeast New Hanover County Public Library at the Landfall Shopping Center.

UNCW Community Link will be shown in:

New Hanover and Pender Counties

The Learning Network -- Time Warner Ch. 5

Charter Communications Ch. 12

Pender County

Government Channel 8

Carteret County/Havelock

Channel 10

Jacksonville

Channel 10