Tuesday, November 11, 2003

Wilmington, NC – University of North Carolina at Wilmington Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo today announced that the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust has granted $667,000 to UNCW to establish a William R. Kenan, Jr., Chair in Marine Sciences in memory of Owen G. Kenan. A Chapel Hill businessman and philanthropist, Owen G. Kenan served as a member of the UNCW Board of Trustees for seven years until his death Sept. 2, 2002.

When matched with $333,000 by the State of North Carolina’s Distinguished Professorship program, this will become UNCW’s first million dollar chair, and the only William R. Kenan, Jr., Chair to be designated by the Kenan Trust to a specific discipline among the more than 100 awarded to date to colleges and universities across the country.

“Customarily we allow universities to determine the best use of the William R. Kenan, Jr., professorships,” commented Dr. Richard M. Krasno, executive director of the Trust headquartered in Chapel Hill. “This chair is designated in Owen Kenan’s honor and recognizes Owen’s affection for marine science and his great respect for the marine science program at UNCW.”

“I am thrilled by this award,” commented Dr. DePaolo. “Marine science is a key program for UNC Wilmington. To have this incredible support from the Kenan Trust to help us move forward in marine science is critical to our future as a university. We are very appreciative to have the confidence of the Kenan Trust demonstrated by this distinguished professorship.”

Because training the next generation of marine scientists is crucial, the William R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Marine Sciences will have significant interaction with students. Through cooperation with national and other North Carolina institutions, the professor will be involved in federal and state activities that will enhance marine sciences in the state.

UNCW currently has five distinguished professorships funded at $500,000 and two others are awaiting state match. UNCW is in the process of requesting matching funding for the William R. Kenan, Jr. Chair.

Current UNCW Distinguished Professorships funded at $500K each:



Carl B. Brown Distinguished Professorship in Marine Sciences

Cameron Distinguished Professorship in Accountancy

Will S. DeLoach Distinguished Professorship in Chemistry

Frank Hawkins Kenan Distinguished Professorship in Marine Sciences

Donald R. Watson Distinguished Professorship in Education



Private contributions obtained and awaiting state funding to make $500K each:



Progress Energy/Gordon Hurlbert Distinguished Professorship in Information Systems

Progress Energy/Betty Cameron Distinguished Professorship in Entrepreneurship



Private contribution obtained and will request state funding to make $1M:



William R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professorship in Marine Sciences

(in memory of Owen G. Kenan)