Thursday, August 19, 2010

Fred Eshelman, founder and executive chairman of PPD, Inc., and H. David Swain, founder of Swain & Associates, a real estate services firm based in Wilmington, are the newest members of the Board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina Wilmington. They were sworn in during board meetings at the campus Thursday and Friday.

Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo expressed her appreciation for the commitment of both men to the future success of UNC Wilmington.

"Fred Eshelman is known throughout North Carolina as an advocate and supporter of higher education," DePaolo said. "He is an accomplished innovator and entrepreneur who has inspired PPD to become a leading global contract research organization (CRO) over the past 25 years. UNCW is extremely fortunate to have a leader of Fred's distinction on our Board of Trustees, and we are particularly grateful for him to have invested in the formation of UNCW's clinical research program, provided by our School of Nursing.

"David Swain's appointment to the board reflects his dedication to serving our university as well as the Wilmington community," she continued. "He is a wonderful friend and benefactor, a community leader who values education and shares UNCW's commitment to providing our students with the most powerful learning experience possible."

Both Eshelman and Swain have strong connections to UNCW. Eshelman's wife April, daughter Kimberly and son-in-law Bryan Batten are alumni. In addition to the clinical research program, he supports scholarships for student-athletes. In 2008, Eshelman contributed $1 million toward construction of a new academic center for student-athletes.

Swain has been actively involved on campus for many years, holding volunteer positions with the UNCW Endowment Board, the Cameron School of Business Executive Advisory Board, the Seahawk Club Board of Directors and the UNCW Board of Visitors, including a term as chair.

He and his wife Diane donate to the university, often choosing to support scholarships, such as the fund they created to benefit the children of New Hanover County employees. In 2009, the couple contributed a gift valued at $1 million to establish the H. David and Diane Swain Center for Business and Economic Services in the Cameron School of Business.

Media contact:
Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, 910.508-3127 or fischettid@uncw.edu