Hall of Fame
Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN-BC, FNP-BC, FGSA, FAAN ‘96, ‘00M
Professor, The George Washington University (GW) School of Nursing
Director, GW Center for Aging Health, and Humanities
Dr. Melissa Batchelor is an internationally recognized nurse scientist, educator, and policy leader whose career has transformed dementia care and advanced gerontological nursing practice. Her pioneering research developed three evidence-based handfeeding techniques - Over Hand, Under Hand, and Direct Hand - that were embedded in national clinical practice guidelines within five years, reframing feeding behaviors as meaningful communication rather than resistance. Through the Nurses Optimizing Supportive Handfeeding (NOSH) intervention, she created scalable tools transforming practice in nursing homes nationwide.
With nearly $6 million in research funding from NIH, Hartford, Robert Wood Johnson, and NSF, Dr. Batchelor has authored numerous high-impact publications advancing dementia care science. Her exceptional science communication includes AARP Caregiver videos (a 2020 Sharecare Awards finalists) and her podcast This Is Getting Old: Moving Towards an Age-Friendly World, ranking in the top 6% of YouTube channels with over 4.5 million views.
As a 2017–2018 Health and Aging Policy Fellow serving the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, she contributed to strengthening the geriatric workforce and Alzheimer's public health infrastructure. Elected Fellow in both the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) and the Gerontological Society of America (FGSA), Dr. Batchelor exemplifies academic excellence, innovation, and national leadership in aging.
Mary Ellen Bonczek, DNP, RN, NEA-BC ‘23DNP
Retired Chief Nurse Executive
Immediate Past-President, North Carolina Organization of Nurse Leaders
Dr. Mary Ellen Bonczek is a retired chief nurse executive with 50 years of progressive nursing leadership experience. She most recently served for 20 years as system chief nurse executive for Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Throughout her distinguished career, she led adult critical care services, advanced evidence-based nursing practice to improve patient outcomes, and guided healthcare systems as an executive leader, consistently championing shared governance and elevating the voice of nurses.
Bonczek earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wagner College, her Master of Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Executive Leadership from UNC Wilmington. She is board certified as an advanced nurse executive through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and serves as immediate past-president of the North Carolina Organization of Nurse Leaders.
A dedicated mentor and advocate for advancing nursing leadership, Bonczek contributes locally and nationally through speaking, publications, and professional development initiatives. She serves on UNCW’s Nurse Advocacy Board and Cape Fear Community College’s Foundation Board, supporting workforce development, educational advancement, and philanthropy.
Haley Kinne-Norris, MS, ADC ‘18, ‘21M
Corporate Director of Life Enrichment & Wellness, Liberty Senior Living
Haley Kinne-Norris is the Corporate Director of Life Enrichment & Wellness at Liberty Senior Living, supporting communities across North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, and Louisiana. With more than 15 years of experience spanning youth development and older adult wellness, they bring a broad, innovative perspective to engagement programming.
In 2018, Kinne-Norris created the Liberty Games, an Olympic-style competition launched at Carolina Bay that has grown into an annual signature event. Now in its fifth year, the Liberty Games bring independent living residents across four states together to compete in activities such as table tennis, bocce, and swimming, strengthening community connection and celebrating vibrant living.
Kinne-Norris, a passionate advocate for mentorship and professional development, has mentored more than 25 UNC Wilmington students through internships and research collaborations over the past eight years. Under their support, multiple Liberty communities have earned the International Council on Active Aging Beacon Award, recognizing top wellness programs across North America.
Kinne-Norris has presented original research and spoken at national and international conferences, including the International Council on Active Aging, the Gerontological Society of America, and the American College of Sports Medicine.
Kinne-Norris holds a B.S. in Exercise Science and an M.S. in Applied Gerontology from UNCW and holds certifications from NCCAP, Dementia Live, PWR! Moves, and NASM.
Renee McLaughlin, MSW, LCSW ‘18, ‘19M
Assistant Director of Community Based Family Services, Coastal Horizons Center
Renee McLaughlin earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work from UNC Wilmington. Her education at UNCW laid the foundation for her commitment to evidence‑based, trauma‑informed mental health care and her dedication to serving families across North Carolina.
McLaughlin began her career with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, where her passion for working with military populations first developed. She currently oversees treatment services for active-duty service members, veteran families, and the civilian population, continuing her commitment to those who serve. As the spouse of a retired United States Marine, McLaughlin brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work.
McLaughlin currently serves as the assistant director of community‑based family services at Coastal Horizons Center, where she leads the Family Centered Treatment (FCT) department. She has pursued Level 4 Trainer Certification, the highest offered by the FCT Foundation, and plays a key role in staff training, certification, and model fidelity.
McLaughlin remains deeply committed to advocating for military families and fostering resilience and healing within her community.
Mark Scalf ‘80
Retired, UNC Wilmington Baseball Coach & Lecturer
Mark Scalf, the all-time winningest baseball coach at UNC Wilmington and in the CAA, retired after the 2019 season. After earning his bachelor’s degree in physical education from UNCW in 1980, Scalf began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at UNC (1980–81) before serving as a full‑time assistant at UNC and later UNCW. After a year teaching and coaching multiple sports at Laney High School, he joined UNCW in 1984 as an assistant coach and lecturer under Head Coach Bobby Guthrie. Scalf was named head baseball coach in 1991. In addition to leading the baseball program, he taught physical education courses at UNCW for 20 years.
Scalf emphasized strong relationships with players, colleagues, and the community, and instilled a commitment to service within his program. Many facilities and budget advancements during his tenure were the direct result of his strategic planning and fundraising.
Scalf’s coaching accomplishments include seven CAA Coach of the Year awards, five NCAA Regional Coach of the Year honors, and six CAA Tournament championships. Under his leadership, UNCW produced 135 All‑CAA performers, 21 All‑Americans, five Academic All‑Americans, and 90 professional players, including 12 who reached Major League Baseball.