Monday, December 20, 2004

Dec. 20, 2004

Wilmington, N.C.—Owen and Myrna Wexler received the University of North Carolina Wilmington 2004 James R. Leutze Volunteer of the Year Award Dec. 12 at the UNCW Adult Scholars Leadership Alumni Holiday luncheon. As active community members, the Wexler’s continually volunteer their time, talents and resources to numerous area organizations.

When asked about the selection process, Pete Schult, award committee chairman, said, “The decision was clear. Owen and Myrna are all over the place sharing themselves with our community.”

The Wexlers’ community volunteerism includes the Cape Fear Museum, Historic Wilmington Foundation, Red Cross, Lower Cape Fear Hospice and LifeCareCenter, Airlie Gardens, Turtle Watch Wrightsville Beach and Fort Fisher, Cape Fear Jazz Society, African American Heritage Foundation and Greater Wilmington Arts and Cultural Alliance. In their spare time, they actively support UNCW by volunteering with the MarineQuest, Lifelong Learning Society and Adult Scholars Leadership programs and are ardent Seahawk fans.

“We volunteer to make a difference in our community, not for awards. Volunteering is a personal commitment that Owen and I hold very close to our hearts. Owen and I volunteer for causes we care about. The work is for us to do and we hope to see you there too,” Myrna Wexler said at the luncheon.

The Wexler’s became Wilmington residents in 1996, moving from Long Island, N.Y. Owen is a semi-retired artist and Myrna is a retired educator. They are UNCW Adult Scholarship Leadership Alumni (class of 2000). Over the past 13 years, more than 400 participants graduated from the program with over 230 active alumni. Alumni assist in the planning and execution of the Leadership Program as well as volunteer their time and talents on campus and throughout the community. The alumni are a diverse group of individuals ranging from retired Fortune 500 executives, government officials, educators, health care providers, lifelong volunteers and community activists.