Wednesday, June 23, 2004

By Sarah Briney, PR Intern

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington and the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce officially kicked off their joint “Paint the Town Teal” campaign with a press conference today at the FNB Southeast Bank on South College Road. The joint effort is expected to generate enthusiasm for the students, faculty, staff, families and alumni associated with UNCW and the Wilmington business community. Paul McCombie Executive of FNB Southeast Bank served as master of ceremonies, welcoming everyone to the press conference. Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo was also on hand to talk about the impact the university has on the Wilmington community.

UNCW has more than 11,000 students, 1,600 faculty and staff and an annual $400 million economic impact on Southeastern North Carolina each year. “People may not realize that UNCW has events throughout the year that bring visitors to the town the equivalent of Wilmington’s hosting a major convention each month,” said Chancellor DePaolo.

These events include freshman and new student orientation, move-in, family weekend, homecoming, the chancellor’s achievement awards and graduation. These events alone bring in over 10,900 students, families and alumni to Wilmington. Visitations to the campus bring in over 1,300 potential new students and their families to the area.

The “Paint the Town Teal” campaign allows local businesses the chance to show off their Seahawk pride in their establishments. Businesses that purchase the assorted Seahawk items will join other companies that are already showing their support such as the Hilton Wilmington Riverside, Eddie Romanelli’s and Wilmington International Airport.

Connie Majure-Rhett from the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce displayed the Seahawk items that the local businesses can purchase from the university.

A variety of Seahawk items are available to choose from including door runners for $99, doormats for $32 (3x2) or $99 (6x4), window stickers for $9, vehicle stickers for $5, customized banners ranging in price from $105-$232 and flags for $55. The items exhibit the Seahawk logo as well as the slogan “Welcome to Seahawk Country.”

McCombie, Majure-Rhett and Chancellor DePaolo unveiled one of the “Welcome to Seahawk Country” banners hanging on the building. Guests of the press conference were then invited into FNB Southeast to enjoy refreshments including the new “Tealicious” flavored ice cream from Kohl’s Frozen Custard.