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Message from Chancellor Aswani K. Volety
Dear UNCW Community:
UNCW has had a strong start to this academic year with a broad slate of good news highlighting the university’s growing strengths. We have seen a record enrollment increase this fall, with student enrollment exceeding 18,800 for the first time. This shows an increase of nearly 5% over last fall, marking a significant milestone for our 77-year-old institution.
UNCW’s success in supporting students throughout their academic career shows in a retention rate that has increased by three points to 88%, also the highest in the university’s history. Research awards in the past fiscal year set another record, reaching more than $33 million. We are proud of the high proportion of student involvement in these projects that make a marked difference in the local community, throughout the state and around the globe.
Demonstrating UNCW’s strategic commitment to world-class operations, our Center for Marine Science has announced the upcoming addition of an All American Marine-made, cutting-edge 73-foot research vessel to its fleet. We also celebrated the grand opening of the UNCW Library this month. After two years of construction, the transformed facility has been reimagined to better support student success, foster research and create collaborative spaces that will serve the community for decades to come.
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Such achievements are reflected in national recognition, as UNCW rose in U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings, to 107th among public institutions in the nation. Individual programs and services also moved higher in the rankings, including nursing, business and psychology.
These news headlines reflect the remarkable hard work, dedication and persistence of faculty, staff, students and supporters with ongoing work to engage the broader community. Our campus produces significant events from arts, athletics and beyond to bring us together, including the second Chancellor’s Dare to Learn Lecture, which will feature former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Scott Kelly as keynote speaker of the sold-out event.
With plans for new infrastructure and the launch of new academic programs, we have an exciting year ahead. I congratulate our Seahawk family on its many accomplishments and look forward to a future where we continue to soar together!
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Aswani K. Volety
Chancellor
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Chancellor Volety signed a partnering agreement with Pro Vice-Chancellor K.N.S. Acharya of Ghandi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM) earlier this month.
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A powerful, unnamed storm caused significant damage in Carolina Beach, Southport and other communities near UNCW on Sept. 16. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic devastation in multiple states, including western North Carolina. While our campus was spared from the worst effects of these storms, we unfortunately know well the pain such natural disasters can cause.
Earlier this month, UNCW students, faculty and staff participated in Wings Up for Wilmington, a volunteer day of service organized by UNCW in collaboration with its community partners to recognize the anniversary of Hurricane Florence and to celebrate the spirit of giving and resilience that followed that storm in 2018.
To everyone in and from affected areas, especially the students, faculty and staff at UNC System universities – Appalachian State, UNC Asheville and Western Carolina – we stand #seahawkstrong with you. As these communities work through damage assessments and determine their needs, members of the UNCW community will connect with trusted partners to support their efforts.
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