Hawk's Eye View: Micheala Wood '26
Micheala Wood ’26 reflects on her UNCW journey, passion for teaching and the lessons she’ll carry into her first fifth-grade classroom.
Alumni News & Stories
With more than 110,000 Seahawks making a difference in communities around the world, we have a lot to celebrate!
Recent Posts
Seahawk-Authored Books for Summer
Consider adding these recent books penned by authors from the UNCW College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts — perfect company for...
Teaching with Joy
The idea began with students leaning together around tables in a high school classroom, talking through their work as a steady hum of engaged,...
Jake Shannon ’25
Jake Shannon ’25 became one of UNCW’s most dependable defenders, earning top honors and logging 6,219 career minutes. His lifelong...
Scholarships and Fellowships: Impact of Giving
At UNCW, the impact of giving is exemplified by David ’78 and Helen Congdon’s historic $10 million commitment.
A Network of Partners. A World of Opportunity.
At the Cameron School of Business, consultancy often moves beyond the classroom, taking students into boardrooms of nonprofits, public agencies and...
Casey Quimby ’06
Casey Quimby ’06 is helping to transform animal care in the Pacific Islands.
From Advice to Access: Why Mentorship Matters
The Homecoming Brunch hosted by AAGA showcases the power of alumni engagement — and how intentional mentorship helps students find their...
Lauren Peterson ’25
Lauren Peterson ’25 found her passion for improving patient recovery, preventing disease, and enhancing lives during her time at UNCW.
A Classroom Built on Joy Trevor Todd ’16
Trevor Todd ’16 Named UNCW Distinguished Young Alumnus
A Lifetime of Service Ed Sundy ’73
Ed Sundy 73 Named Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Tamara Cooper ’23M
Supporting student retention at UNCW is no easy puzzle. Thankfully, Tamara Cooper ’23M serves as the leading variable to balancing the...
UNC System Vice President Bradley Ballou to Serve as UNCW Chief of Staff
Bradley Ballou ’06 returns to the University of North Carolina Wilmington as chief of staff, bringing with him extensive experience from his...
Kerri Allen ’11 ’13M Named UNCW Distinguished Citizen of the Year
Kerri Allen ’11 ’13M Named UNCW Distinguished Citizen of the Year
Julie Teachey ’16, ’23MSN and Sarah Kelley ’16, ’28MSN
Patients think they’re seeing double, but for twin sisters and UNCW alumnae Julie Teachey ’16, ’23MSN and Sarah Kelley ’16,...
UNCW Announces 2026 Alumni Association Distinguished Award Honorees
UNC Wilmington has announced the newest recipients of the Alumni Association Distinguished Awards, which honor graduates whose exceptional...
J’vaneté Becton Skiba ’03
J’vaneté Becton Skiba ’03 currently serves as the director of the New Hanover County Resiliency Task Force, centered on building a...
Seahawks Gone Bananas
Seahawks Gone Bananas
Hawk's Eye View: Shelly Arsenault '21M
Shelly Arsenault ’21M draws on her UNCW Online MBA with a healthcare concentration to help people find meaningful career paths and...
Rowers Reunite: Alumni, Student Clubs Connect
The UNCW Rowing Club is one of the university’s longest-standing student organizations and maintains a strong alumni presence dedicated to...
Zandra Harris Pinnix ’95
As an assistant professor at Guilford College, Zandra Harris Pinnix ’95 uses her passion and experience to build pathways for...
Art Alum Returns to Wilmington for Solo Exhibit
Meredith Connelly ’11 reconnected with UNCW Art & Art History faculty and students when setting up for a solo exhibition at the Cameron...
Ken Riley '96
Over the years, Kenneth Riley ’96 has worked all around the world and has helped further the field of Marine Aquaculture Technology. He...
Joe Bowling '20, '24 and Joe Karle '25
From combat to classrooms, veterans Joe Bowling and Joe Karle continue to serve while guiding others to think critically, write purposefully and...
UNCW Alums Bring Innovation Through Oyster Farming
Conor and Alyssa MacNair transformed a shared passion for sustainability into a thriving shellfish farm nestled in the salty waters...
Local Flavor Lands on Campus
Boombalatti’s and Central Perch bring community connection to the UNCW campus, making the Seahawk dining experience even better.
Hawk's Eye: View Airlie Wedemeyer '08
Hawks Eye View Airlie Wedemeyer 08
Jarrod Covington ’10
Shortly after graduation, Jarrod Covington ’10 took over Wrightsville SUP, a business that offers kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals and...
Daniela Henderson ’23
Daniela Henderson’s determination to stay connected at UNCW has transformed into a mission to connect online alumni and on-campus students,...
Bolduc Kirschner Endowment
Bolduc-Kirschner Endowment Supports COM Students in Taking Learning Beyond the Classroom
UNCW Dedicates Sayed Hall Following Historic Gift
UNCW’s Education Building has a new name — Sayed Hall. University officials named the building in honor of Dr. Yousry Sayed and his...
Seahawks Shine Among WILMA's 2025 Women to Watch
Three soaring Seahawk employees are finalists in WILMA’s 2025 Women to Watch Awards. The awards spotlight regional women who are leaders in...
Carleigh Sion ’12
From her days studying in Randall Library to painting a mural in the new Discovery Hall, alumna Carleigh Sion ’12 has contributed to the...
Justin Hickman '24
Justin Hickman ’24 earned his recreation therapy degree from UNCW to help others—especially veterans—heal and thrive through...
Hawk's Eye View: Jack Mehrtens ’21, ’23M
From UNCW Men’s Basketball to Major League Soccer, Jack Mehrtens ’21, ’23M built a career through persistence, leadership and...
Seahawks Rising: UNCW Staff, Alum Make Annual “40 Under 40” List
Many of the names on The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce's annual “40 Under 40” list are Seahawks.
Dylan Bradshaw ’19
UNCW alumnus Dylan Bradshaw ’19 reached a turning point in his film career after winning a million-dollar prize for a TV ad he co-created...
Kaela Coles ’24
Kaela Cole ’24 serves as an outreach and marketing representative for 4 Day Movement, a nonprofit with a mission of helping those who fall...
Marine Mammal Stranding Program Helps Rescue Manatee
Alison Loftis ’21, assistant stranding coordinator for UNCW’s Marine Mammal Stranding Program, was part of a team that rescued a...
The Sayeds’ Legacy of Generosity
The Sayeds committed $25 million to UNCW to support healthcare initiatives and teacher recruitment, the largest philanthropic commitment in...
Alumni Events Year in Review Spring 2025
Updates from the UNCW Alumni Association about local events that both celebrate and serve
Erin Gallagher ’15
Erin Gallagher ’15 is currently pursuing a master’s in food studies from the American University of Rome in Italy. She hopes to be part...
Zack Shail ’22 Honored as 2025 Staff Award for Excellence Winner
The UNCW Staff Award for Excellence reception was held at the Burney Center on April 29 to recognize members of the campus community who have...
Seahawk Alumni Featured at UNCW Film Symposium
Seahawk Alumni Featured at UNCW Film Symposium
Jared Wood '20, Ph.D.'25
Jared Wood’s path to pursue a doctoral degree in pharmaceutical chemistry at UNCW has been driven by a lifelong passion for science,...
UNCW Awards Honorary Doctorate to Philanthropist Linda Sayed
Linda Sayed ’78, ’85M will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during UNCW’s Spring 2025 Graduate Commencement Ceremony,...
Taylor Herr '24
Drawing inspiration from the ocean, Taylor Herr’s senior capstone project reflects her passion for art and the sea. She began the intricate...
Mary Claire (MC) Curran '11 Receives UNCW Distinguished Citizen Award
Mary Claire (MC) Curran '11 Receives 2025 UNCW Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award
Robert T. Abbotts '85 Receives UNCW Distinguished Alumnus Award
Robert T. Abbotts '85 UNCW 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Honoree
John Scholz '84 UNCW Distinguished Diversity and Inclusion Award
John Scholz '84 UNCW Distinguished Diversity and Inclusion Award
Courtenay Mencini ’14
Staying connected to one’s alma mater can be a deeply rewarding experience, and for Courtenay Mencini ’14, joining the UNCW Alumni...
Laurel Shackleton Hillen Engel '14 UNCW Distinguished Young Alumna
Laurel Shackleton Hillen Engel '14 Receives UNCW Distinguished Young Alumna Award
UNCW Receives $25 Million Gift to Boost Teacher Education and Healthcare Programs
The University of North Carolina Wilmington has received a $25 million gift commitment from Dr. Yousry Sayed and his wife Linda ’78,...
Commercial by UNCW Alum to Air During Super Bowl
UNC Wilmington alumnus Dylan Bradshaw ’19 won the 2025 Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest with the commercial Abduction.
NCInnovation Names Wilmington Hub Director
Scott Davis ’17, ’18M has been named NCInnovation’s hub director for Wilmington and the southeastern NC region.
UNCW Announces Alumni Association Distinguished Awards Recipients
“These four Seahawks continue to elevate their alma mater.”
Fabio Hurtado ’24Ed.D.
Fabio Hurtado's experiences, including his pursuit of a doctorate in educational leadership at UNCW, have shaped his approach to fostering...
Hawk’s Eye View: Caden Lang ’23 AKA Teal Suit Guy
Caden Lang ’23 turned his passion for UNCW Athletics into a career and is now known across campus as the fan-favorite “Teal Suit...
Brian Brinkley '93, '99 M.Ed.
Brian Brinkley '93, '99 M.Ed. has dedicated 31 years to teaching, including 18 years as the director of the B Betty Holden Stike...
Jayson Arendt ’24
From two-time CAA baseball champion to country music rising star, Jayson Arendt ’24 took a leap of faith to form a band while still enrolled...
Tyler Jones ’11
Tyler Jones' transition to college life at UNCW came with challenges. Through community involvement and support, he found balance and success,...
Kevin Ojaniit ’23
Kevin Ojaniit ’23 never thought that teaching would be in his future until his sophomore year at UNCW. After switching majors twice, Ojaniit...
Maggie Bannon ’23Ed.D.
Maggie Bannon ’23Ed.D. worked hard to climb the academic and professional ladder as a first-generation student, and now as the director of...
Pints with Professors: Cosmic Evening
Pints with Professors Cosmic Evening
Family Ties: Barri Piner '94 and Her Daughters’ Shared Journey at UNCW
Barri Piner '94, an English instructor, returned to her alma mater to teach and now has three daughters studying English at UNCW. Each...
UNCW Alumni Receive Pharmaceutical Chemistry Fellowships
Three UNCW alumni have been awarded fellowships in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry’s Pharmaceutical Chemistry doctoral program....
Mitchell Bloomer ’24M
After an initial career as a probation officer, and later roles within the Illinois judicial and correctional systems, Mitchell Bloomer '24M...
Steve McCrossan ’06, ’10M, ’14MPA
Steve McCrossan's transition from a career in hospitality to nonprofit leadership is a testament to his desire to serve others.
Bobby Guntoro ’11
“All in” is the motto of UNCW Swimming and Diving Head Coach Bobby Guntoro ’11, who also encourages his student-athletes to share...
Nicolette Fulton ’02
A first-generation college student Nicolette Fulton was recently appointed authority attorney by the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority.
Hawk's Eye View: Shelby Kennedy '24
A public health major with a pre-clinical concentration, Shelby Kennedy ’24 was recognized for her leadership with the Pat Leonard Senior...
Hawk's Eye View: Vernon Johnson '91
Vernon Johnson ’91 turned uncertainty into purpose, building a legacy of resilience, service and lifelong engagement with the UNCW community.
Dusty Sanders ’23
After eight years of service in the U.S. Army and serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Dusty Sanders ’23 began...
Gia Long '91
Gia Long '91 has deep and long-standing ties to the university. Soon after graduating, she joined the UNCW Alumni Association Board of...
Allie Best '23M
UNCW graduate student Allie Best received the North Carolina Sea and Space Grant, a fellowship awarded to students whose research explores...
Hawk's Eye View: Roger Hyman '96
Roger Hyman ’96, president of UNCW’s African American Graduate Association, is a mental health leader dedicated to service and advocacy.