Wednesday, May 14, 2003

Wilmington – More than 300 youth will be honored for exemplary achievement at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, at Kenan Auditorium when the University of North Carolina at Wilmington hosts the ninth annual Great Expectations Recognition and Awards Ceremony. High school students from Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender counties will be recognized and honored at the largest ceremony in the program’s history.

Fulfilling the dream of its founder, Dr. Eugene Wright, physician and former chair of the UNCW Board of Trustees for UNCW, Great Expectations and the other College Opportunity Programs have undergone significant changes this year as part of Chancellor James Leutze’s initiative on diversity.

Dr. Leutze said that, “the University of North Carolina at Wilmington is pleased to serve as a partner in this university/community project which recognizes academic accomplishment and encourages all of our community to pursue excellence.”

“Our diverse community, irrespective of race, religion or gender, can only grow and prosper when young African-American men and women succeed,” said Dr. Wright. “Now, not only will the programs serve a larger area, but the Great Expectations program will now include young women as well.” Dr. Wright believes the Great Expectations program has not only aided students in their college planning, but has also served to counteract some of the disproportionately negative images of African-American males that young men are being given by the media -- images that affect their self-worth and self-esteem.

UNCW associate vice chancellor Dr. Denis Carter adds that in prior years, “the focus of Great Expectations had been to identify male students from historically underrepresented populations or socio-economically challenged backgrounds, and to recognize, mentor and support those young men with the potential to pursue a college education. Through Dr. Leutze’s directive, the programs can now offer even more of the young people of this region increased access to higher education opportunities.”

In Great Expectations, which involves university, school, parental and community participation, high school juniors are nominated to participate in a college preparation, mentoring and scholarship program. Students must be pursuing a college prep curriculum and have at least a weighted 3.0 cumulative grade point average (gpa).

In the College Opportunity Program for High School Students, high school freshmen are nominated by their school counselors, teachers or other school officials. Parental input and commitment are obtained. Selected students and their parents/guardians take part in a series of educational events, college planning and preparation workshops, mentoring and support sessions throughout their high school years. Participants are guided towards scholarship opportunities. Students continue in this program until they complete high school or are enrolled in the Great Expectations program. To be considered, students must be enrolled in a college prep curriculum and show potential for a college career. High school gpa is important but not a barrier, by itself, to selection.

The College Opportunity Program for Middle Grades Students offers similar educational events throughout the student’s middle school years. Participants are automatically enrolled in the College Opportunity for High School program when they enter high school. To be considered, students must receive the endorsement of their school counselors or a school official, and they as well as their parents must be willing to participate in program activities.

For information about this event or any of the UNCW College Opportunity Programs, contact Ms. Linda Ferrell of the Office of Planning & Academic Outreach by phone at (910) 962-3540, or email at ferrell@uncw.edu. Names of each school’s honored students and information about the programs will be posted online at www.uncw.edu/pao.