A Message from Chancellor Volety
Sept. 30, 2022
Dear UNCW Community:
Back in September 1947, Wilmington College, as our institution was then known, opened its doors to 238 students, many of them veterans of World War II. Earlier this month, UNCW honored that history and heritage by commemorating our 75th anniversary and hosting an Office of Military Affairs celebration at Veterans Hall.
Now, in September 2022, we are looking forward to the university’s future. We reinvigorated our strategic planning efforts, and we celebrated a major milestone in Like No Other: The Campaign for UNCW. The largest philanthropic initiative in UNCW history surpassed its original $100 million target and announced a new, $125 million stretch goal. Our donors’ generosity reflects their commitment to our mission, and we are grateful for the educational opportunities their contributions support.
UNCW also focused on many other special moments in September, including teaching, mentoring, service and research awards recognizing our remarkable faculty. Two UNCW students earned Gilman International Scholarships, and Atlantis, the student magazine of literature and art, earned national recognition for its cover art. We also launched the Kenan Auditorium Presents season in September. Check out Arts at UNCW to attend some great programs.
Our institution has been publicly funded from the very beginning. The citizens of New Hanover County levied a tax on themselves to establish Wilmington College, and now, as a UNC System institution, we continue to receive critical state funding to support the student-centered learning experiences that define UNCW. Our dedication to the region and state we call home runs deep and, in September, we hosted a special week of service activities, ending with Wings Up for Wilmington on Sept. 17. The opportunity to give back to the place that has given us so much means a lot to the Seahawk community.
Fall sports are in full swing at UNCW, and we hosted the annual tip-off dinner for men’s basketball. Legendary former coach Jerry Wainwright came back to campus to deliver a keynote address punctuated by humor and heart. That’s just how we do things at UNCW.
Aim high, Seahawks, and keep soaring!
Aswani K. Volety
Chancellor
