The Wise Alumni House at the University of North Carolina Wilmington closed in mid-April for interior renovations and roof replacement.
The William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust has provided $197,500 to renovate the interior finishes including wainscoting, walls and wood floors throughout the Wise Alumni House. The university plans to invest $250,000 to replace the slate roof and the support structures under it. In addition, Wilmington resident Janice Kingoff, class of 1977, has provided a gift to fund the repair of the stained glass window that illuminates the foyer and staircase.
The renovations, scheduled for completion in fall 2007, are part of the preparations for celebrating the historic house’s centennial in 2009. The Wise Alumni House, constructed in 1908-09, stands on Market Street next to Kenan House, the UNCW chancellor’s residence.
The UNCW Office of Alumni Relations will temporarily relocate to 10 South Cardinal Drive in Wilmington. The mailing address will remain 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC, 28403-5906. All telephone numbers will remain the same; the main office number is 910-962-2682. The Wise Alumni House is a popular location for weddings; brides-to-be should contact the facilities manager at 910-962-3011 to inquire about its availability in late fall.
The family of Jessie Kenan Wise donated the house to the university in 1968, and it has served as the UNCW Alumni Association headquarters since 1994, a year after the organization committed $400,000 to preserve and update the house.
"The Wise Alumni House is a Wilmington treasure, and the UNCW Alumni Association sincerely appreciates the help and support the university has given and received to renovate it,” said Donis Smith, chair of the alumni association. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the university in 1986 and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 1994.
For more information:
Caroline Norelius, Executive Director of the Alumni Association, 910-962-2681 or noreliusc@uncw.edu
Dana Fischetti, Media Relations Manager, 910-962-7529 or fischettid@uncw.edu.
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