Monthly Chancellor's Message
A pumpkin carved with the Seahawk logo on a brick walkway
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Message from Chancellor Aswani K. Volety

Dear UNCW Community: 

This fall has been full of activity and achievement on the UNCW campus, with the semester in full swing. To show the accomplishments over the past year, I am proud to present the 2023-24 Chancellor's Annual Report. This report highlights the inspiring work produced every day by UNCW’s students, faculty and staff.

This work has a tangible impact, driving economic growth and enhancing the overall prosperity of the region. An economic development impact study showed that impact is valued at $3.2 billion across the state of North Carolina, underscoring the broader influence of UNCW in the economic vitality of our region and state. Many thanks to Mouhcine Guettabi, associate professor of economics, for producing the study. He serves as the regional economist with the Swain Center in the Cameron School of Business.

 

UNCW is growing its reach by collaborating with respected international institutions. This month, the campus hosted visitors from the University of Algarve, a public university in Portugal, and the University of Hull, a public university in the United Kingdom, following last month’s visit from GITAM, a private university in India. We are also building our connections with N.C. community colleges. Transfer students from these schools were 56% of this fall’s transfer enrollment, a proportion that is growing thanks to enhanced relationships with these valuable partners.  

 

We welcomed more thought leaders to campus for the Ocean Innovation Conference hosted by our Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to discuss new solutions for our oceans and waterways. The Center for Marine Science also opened its doors to the public during its annual open house event, when more than 1,000 people showed up to explore the facilities of our state’s coastal university.

 

The basketball season launched with the excitement of another Seahawk Madness event in Trask Coliseum. This year the men’s team will play 19 home games, the most ever for the team, and those games started this week. Our women take to the court for the first time early next week. I’m looking forward to seeing the fans come out in support. 

 

Our concern for the victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton runs strong, and we continue to offer support, particularly to affected students and sister institutions. Wilmington knows from experience the complex and lengthy road to recovery after a devastating storm, and we offer both our expertise and condolences.

 

I wish the entire Seahawk family a safe and happy Halloween filled with many treats and no tricks.

Yours in Seahawk spirit, 

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Aswani Volety signature

Aswani K. Volety

Chancellor

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Above: A pumpkin carved with the Seahawk logo sits on Chancellor's Walk during the annual Dub Love week hosted by UNCW Student Ambassadors, official student volunteers with the Alumni Association.

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SPOTLIGHT

 
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Hugh and Nan Caison at Caison Crossing

Caison Crossing was dedicated this month in honor of Hugh ’85 and Nan ’83 Caison. The pedestrian bridge is named in appreciation of their volunteer service and support of UNCW.

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GALLERY

 
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Chancellor Volety and Rector Paulo Águas sign contracts at tables before a window

Chancellor Volety signed an international partnering agreement with Rector Paulo Águas from the University of Algarve in Portugal during Águas’ visit to UNCW.

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UNCW students Madison McClellan and Njabba Ceesay stand in front of a GlobalMindED background

Madison McClellan and Njabba Ceesay, first-generation students, attended the GlobalMindED session at the United Nations in New York City with Christine Reed Davis, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

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Professors create scenery in the Burgaw Middle School Media Center

Jenna Houck, Max Lydy and Delaney McLaughlin, professors in the Department of Theatre, transformed the Burgaw Middle School Media Center into a Central American rainforest for lessons on the region's ecosystems and Mayan civilization during Hispanic Heritage Month.

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Ashley Lomboy, Chancellor Volety and Vice Chairwoman Pamela Young-Jacobs at the pow-wow

Chancellor Volety attended the Waccamaw Siouan Pow Wow on the tribal grounds. Here he is pictured with tribal member Ashley Lomboy and Vice Chairwoman Pamela Young-Jacobs.

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Rendering of proposed new North Gateway to campus with a welcome center, Kenan Auditorium and wayfinding signage fronting Wagoner Drive

The 2024 Campus Master Plan provides direction for physical improvements to help realize the vision of the strategic plan. A road map for future growth, the plan is based on historical, land use and natural frameworks that guide its recommendations.

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En Li

The Department of History presented the 23rd Sherman Emerging Scholar Lecture with the theme “Silk Roads: Past, Present, Future.” This year's Sherman Scholar was En Li, author of Betting on the Civil Service Examinations: The Lottery in Late-Qing China.

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Ulku Clark

UNCW has again been designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency. Ulku Clark is director of UNCW's Center for Cyber Defense Education

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Computer Science Undergraduate Program Coordinator and Associate Professor Elham Ebrahimi works with students in the VR Research Learning Lab, a multi-department space for virtual labs, research and experiments.

UNCW has been awarded a prestigious grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to launch the “UNC-by-the-S.E.A. (STEM Equity Access)” project, an initiative designed to enhance the success and advancement of women faculty in STEM fields at UNCW.

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U.S. Navy Capt. Scott Kelly addresses the audience from the stage

Former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Scott Kelly gave the Fall 2024 Chancellor's Dare to Learn Lecture. The lecture’s name reflects the university’s motto, Discere Aude, which is often translated as “dare to learn.”

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TEALstarter graphic: TEALstarter, UNCW's student-led crowdfunding platform, November 11-December 3

TEALstarter is UNCW’s crowdfunding platform that supports student organizations and campus groups raising funds for initiatives that enhance the student experience. Help students reach their fundraising goals when TEALstarter goes live Nov. 11.

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LATEST NEWS

 
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FEATURED SEAHAWKS

 
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Jan Donahue and UNCW Women's Volleyball Head Coach Dartanya Hampton on the volleyball court

Jan Donahue: UNCW’s First Women's Basketball and Volleyball Coach

 

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“Jan Donahue was a pioneer

in women’s athletics.”

Dartanya Hampton

UNCW Women's Volleyball Head Coach

 

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Barri Piner ’94 and Her Three Daughters, Helen ’20, McCartney ’23 and Abbey ’24

Barri Piner ’94 and Her Three Daughters: Helen ’20, McCartney ’23 and Abbey ’24

 

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UNCW Strategic Plan logo
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OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR | UNC Wilmington | 601 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403 | 910.962.3000

 
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