Message from Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli
Dear Seahawk Community,
I cannot begin to describe the joy of celebrating our spring 2022 graduates during the commencement ceremonies in Trask Coliseum. Though I was sad that it was my last time presiding over the ceremonies as Chancellor, I am so proud of all this group of Seahawks withstood and accomplished during their academic journey. Please join me in applauding their perseverance and wishing them nothing but success in this next chapter of their lives. I also want to thank UNC President Peter Hans for delivering the keynote address at our ceremonies this spring.
Please also join me in welcoming Dr. Aswani Volety back to UNCW to serve as the university’s seventh chancellor following my retirement in June. A native of India, Dr. Volety is an accomplished marine scientist and experienced university leader. As the former dean of UNCW’s College of Arts and Sciences, former executive director of UNCW’s Center for Marine Science and current provost and vice president for academic affairs at Elon University, he is poised to lead this institution in all its future success.
Speaking of success, on May 19 we broke ground on the Randall Library renovation and expansion project. It is quite significant to see the first phase of a long-term plan to ensure UNCW has the facilities in place to continue educating Seahawks far into the future come to fruition. We are very grateful to our legislators, the UNC System, the Board of Trustees and many other supporters for helping us advance this important project.
Our student-athletes continue to impress on the fields and in the classroom. They finished the 2021-22 school year with a 3.39 cumulative grade point average and the UNCW softball team was crowned the 2022 Colonial Athletic Association Champions. Keep going strong, Seahawks!
While we had much to celebrate this month at UNCW, I would be remiss to not acknowledge the recent mass shootings that have taken lives and caused devastation across our nation. We mourn with the families and communities and condemn these senseless acts of violence.
Go Seahawks!
