Message from Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli
Dear Seahawk Community,
UNCW reached some major milestones in September. We enrolled more than 18,000 students, the largest enrollment in the university’s 74-year history. We earned national recognition for high-quality programs and services, ranking among the top 100 public institutions in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Several UNCW students, faculty and staff earned top awards this month, including our newest Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship award recipients: Jebichiy Maritim, who is traveling to Costa Rica; Diandre Richie, who is traveling to Great Britain; and Toneasia Roberson, who is traveling to Italy. Congratulations to Katrin Wesner-Harts, director of the Student Health Center, who is this year’s recipient of the UNCW Staff Award for Excellence. The university recognized Katrin and many other dedicated staff members during a virtual ceremony.
The university also proudly honored our faculty for excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. Professor of English Victor Malo-Juvera received the Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Award. He was also one of two recipients of the Distinguished Teaching Professorship Award. Professor Wayland Tseh in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences was the second honoree. The late Jeffrey L. Brudney, Betty and Dan Cameron Family Distinguished Professor of Innovation in the Nonprofit Sector, received the Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award, presented posthumously by Faculty Senate President Nathan Grove. Peter W. Schuhmann, professor of economics and finance, was the second honoree. Communication Studies Associate Professor William “Bill” Bolduc was presented with the Alumni Association’s J. Marshall Crews Distinguished Faculty Award for exemplary leadership and service to students, the community and UNCW.
Fall sports have inspired a lot of Seahawk spirit on our campus. The women’s soccer team defeated reigning CAA champion Elon in an exciting game, the men’s soccer team beat UNC, and men’s and women’s basketball season tickets went on sale.
I also shared a milestone of my own this month. After six years of Seahawk service, I have decided to retire, effective June 30, 2022. The opportunity to steer the University of North Carolina Wilmington through times of extraordinary challenge and change has been an honor and privilege for me. I look forward to working with many of you over the next nine months to continue advancing the goals we have achieved thus far. Thank you for making the Seahawk experience so special for my wife Kathy and me.
Go Seahawks!
