Monday, May 21, 2007

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Exploding growth, loss of traditional fisheries, access to health care, and pending development of an international port - these are just a few of the issues facing Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender counties.

To examine the issues and begin to prioritize regional solutions, the University of North Carolina Wilmington's Department of Political Science is convening a Regional Engagement Conference from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Friday, June 1, at the Executive Development Center at the Northeast New Hanover Public Library at Landfall.

This conference will bring together elected officials, government and non-profit executives and staff, community leaders, media and advocacy groups from the four counties to work with university applied researchers and students to identify, prioritize and begin to discuss potential solutions to regional issues and problems.

The desired outcome of the conference is to develop ongoing problem-solving partnerships between the community and UNCW to work jointly on issues affecting all four counties. The university plans to make this an annual event and use its findings to establish a Regional Engagement Center on campus.

The conference will look at trends and changes in the Cape Fear region, receive and discuss white papers on selected topics, and learn how UNCW can utilize its intellectual capital to work with the community to deal with the issues. Special guest Mark Sorrells, senior vice president of the Golden Leaf Foundation, will be the luncheon speaker at 12:15 p.m. discussing "Developing innovative civic engagement strategies."

There is no charge to attend the conference, but lunch is $10 at the door. A continental breakfast will be provided. For more information or to register, contact Katie Price at 910.962.3220 or pricek@uncw.edu by May 28.

The Star-News is partnering with UNCW to sponsor this event.

Media contacts:

Milan Dluhy, professor, Department of Political Science, 910.409.7420 or dluhym@uncw.edu

Dana Fischetti, manager of news and media relations, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu

Conference agenda:

I. Welcome Remarks 8:30-9 a.m.

Tom Barth, Chair, Department of Political Science

Rosemary DePaolo, Chancellor

Raymond Burt, Associate Provost

Robert Roer, Dean, Graduate School and Research

II. Trends and Changes in the Cape Fear Region 9-9:45 a.m.

Nelson Reid, Social Work Department, Introductions and Overview

Leslie Hossfeld, Department of Sociology, "Facing Change in Southeastern North Carolina: How do we respond?"

Andrea Carden and Keeley Wikle, Master's Program in Public Administration, "Major Trends and Issues in the Cape Fear Region"

Kathleen Ennen, Carol Heinrich, Julie Smith Taylor, Kris Walters, School of Nursing,

"State of Health and Well-Being Across the Lifespan of the Region's Population"

Milan Dluhy, Master's Program in Public Administration, "Monitoring Infrastructure Economic Issues in the Region: The Potential Impact of the New Port and New Bridge for the Region"

Reactions from the Community: 9:45-10:15

Reactors:

Tony Puente, Department of Psychology

Dewey Harris, Director of Community Services, City of Wilmington

William "Woody" Hall, Cameron School of Business

White Papers on Selected Topics:

10:30-11:20 a.m.

Howard Coleman and John Fischetti, Watson School of Education, "The Success of Public Education and Its Connection to Improving the Quality of Life in the Region"

Joanne Halls, Department of Geography and Geology, "Geographic Information Science: Linking People, Places, Resources"

Michael Mallin, Center for Marine Science, " Coastal Growth and the Loss of Traditional N.C. Sustainable Fisheries"

Lou Buttino, Department of Film Studies, "The Film Industry, UNCW, and the Region"

Reactions from the Community: 11:20-noon

Reactors:

Kaye Graybeal, Interim Director of Development Services, City of Wilmington

Craig Galbraith, Cameron School of Business

Richard Kolenda, Department of Political Science

Earl Sheridan, Department of Political Science and Councilman, City of Wilmington

IV. Potential Issues for Civic Engagement in the Cape Fear Region for the Future. Brainstorming with the Audience. Noon-12:15

V. Lunch. "Developing Innovative Civic Engagement Strategies" 12:15-1 p.m.

Mark Sorrells, Senior Vice President, Golden Leaf Foundation. Hilda Maness, University Advancement

VI. A Roundtable Discussion--Future Issues for the Cape Fear Region 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Opening remarks:

State Representative Carolyn Justice, State of North Carolina

(New Hanover and Pender counties)

Roundtable Discussion:

Rhonda Bellamy, News Director, WAAV Radio, Moderator

Commissioner Bill Caster, New Hanover County

Sterling Cheatham, City Manager, Wilmington

Kenneth (Pete) T. Cowan, Mayor, Burgaw

Tom Cunningham, Vice President for Community Development, Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce

Chris Maye, Executive Director, Cape Fear Council of Governments

Commissioner May Moore, Brunswick County

Laura Padgett, City Council, Wilmington

Bill Saffo, Mayor, Wilmington

VII. Final Remarks and follow up discussions of issues connected to "White Papers" 2:30-3 p.m.