Chancellor Says Group Members are 'True Friends' of UNCW

The Friends of UNCW presented more than $10,800 in grants to 11 campus programs and services. The grants ranged in value from $400 to $2,000 and will be used to purchase departmental equipment and books, lightening detectors for campus and artwork for the University Union, among other items.

The Friends of UNCW is a volunteer organization formed in 1963 to assist in the accreditation of Wilmington College. The members’ current contributions include supporting a merit scholarship and annually funding special projects based on proposals from UNCW faculty and staff. The grants are presented each spring; the 2005 reception for recipients was held May 3 at Kenan House.

“In looking over the requests for the grants, we try to see where our funds can make the greatest impact,” President Linda Nance said.

For example, the School of Nursing received $1,750 to buy a mechanical ventilator for students’ training prior to their clinical experiences with area hospitals and health care providers. RuthAnne Kuiper, assistant professor of nursing, said the students will use the ventilator as they work with a human simulator, a life-size automated mannequin known as Sim-Man.

“He sometimes gets very sick, and when he gets very sick, he needs a mechanical ventilator,” Kuiper said.

Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo thanked the Friends of UNCW for strongly supporting the university.

"I realize what I hope you realize – the absolute impact your grants make on this campus. They make people so happy,” the chancellor said. “You are a special group for this university. You are true friends."