Saturday, May 17, 2003

WILMINGTON, NC – Graduation is a bittersweet time. It signifies an ending and beginning to different stages in life. Today that was especially true at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where Chancellor James R. Leutze presided over his final commencement. He retires this summer after a 13-year tenure at the helm of the institution.

Addressing graduates and their families during two ceremonies in Trask Coliseum, Leutze reminded them that UNCW was more than the buildings, academics, athletics and people. He said the university stands for something, and as a model has taught graduates:



• To appreciate architectural and natural beauty. “They will soothe your soul. Be sensitive to and preserve our fragile environment – this blue planet – and it will sustain you and future generations.”

• To educate yourself your whole life long. “You will add to your other senses an agile mind and a better understanding of this mysterious world.”

• To value diversity and the benefits of an equitable society. “Extend this concept to foreign lands and foreign people and you will more fully perceive the many faces of God.”

• To reach out to your community and give back. “From those to whom much is given, much is required, and you are now among the world’s most highly educated people.”

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To appreciate sports for what they should be. “A game played fairly and unless played by all the rules, loses all value.”

• To honor the people who make your success possible.

Leutze added that in this lesson he, too, could serve as a model.

“Over the past weeks, I have been the recipient of many accolades and honors. And in each instance you will have noted my reference to all the people who have contributed to my success and the success of this university,” said Leutze. “For the academic quality, I am dependent on the faculty. For the physical growth, I am indebted to private donors, the legislature and the public who voted for the bond issue. For our increase in enrollment, I’m indebted to the students who chose to come here. For the beauty of the campus, we can thank the grounds staff. For our athletic successes, I thank the student-athletes and their coaches. My hope is that you realize that any success you achieve, you owe to many others – some prominent, some nameless – who have been here helping you be as good as you can be.”

The ceremony for the university’s College of Arts and Sciences was held at 9:30 a.m.; approximately 840 undergraduate and 130 graduate students received degrees. Exercises for the Cameron School of Business, Watson School of Education and the School of Nursing were held at 1:30 p.m.; approximately 450 undergraduate and 78 graduate students received degrees. In addition, five students were recognized for outstanding academic or leadership performance.

Rebecca Michelle Frierson 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.

Frierson, who is from Rockingham, was recognized as a “compassionate and creative leader, an excellent student in the classroom and a dedicated supporter of community service activities.” She worked with the university’s Association for Campus Entertainment, serving as the organization’s president during her senior year. She was also an orientation leader and worked as student coordinator of the A-Team, where she trained peer educators to conduct presentations on sexual assault harassment and prevention. In the greater Wilmington community, Frierson volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club, Relay for Life and Adopt-a-Highway. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a minor in leadership, Frierson completed her undergraduate tenure with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.56.

Donald Eston Revis of Wrightsville Beach 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.

Revis came to UNCW as a transfer student in fall 2000. He enrolled as a business major, but was declared academically ineligible at the end of spring 2001. Realizing that the key to his academic success was discovering a major that engaged his passion, Revis decided to pursue a degree in geography because of interesting and diverse experiences he had as a child and young adult growing up primarily in Haiti. With renewed commitment and dedication, he immersed himself in summer school for two years and returned as a full-time student last fall. After enrolling in geography, Revis blossomed as a student and achieved a 3.19 GPA in his upper-level geography courses. Faculty and students have praised his contributions to classes, particularly his experiences in Haiti and the Caribbean. For his senior seminar, Revis conducted and presented exemplary research that compared the similarities in society and economics between Wilmington and Maputo, Mozambique.

“The extent of involvement and improvement in this man’s academic studies is dramatic particularly given the fact that he is a small business owner, is married and has recently become a father for the first time,” said Patricia Leonard, vice chancellor for student affairs, in announcing the award. “His ability to find a major that truly fits his interests is an excellent example of self-determination and self-improvement.”

Rebekah Daugherty Rochelle of Reidsville 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 time at UNC Wilmington, Rochelle worked on substance abuse and prevention issues at three local high schools, served as a mentor in the Adolescent Parenting Program and volunteered at the St. James Homeless Shelter as well as Family Services of the Lower Cape Fear and Over the Rainbow Early Learning Center. A seven-time member of the dean’s list, Rochelle has a 3.71 cumulative GPA. She received a Bachelor of Social Work.

Graduates from December 2002 and May 2003 who recorded the highest GPA in their respective classes and whose academic work was completed exclusively at the university received the UNCW Alumni Association Scholastic Achievement Award.

Cynthia Karen Thompson was the December 2002 recipient. A special education major, Thompson teaches language arts at Topsail Middle School. The May 2003 recipient is Alissa Meredith Redmond from Calabash. A psychology and political science major, Redmond has been accepted in the Peace Corps.