May 2019

Message from Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli

Dear Seahawk Community,

The month of May, like much of the past year at UNCW, was a time of both great joy and profound sorrow on our campus. We celebrated commencement with the UNCW Class of 2019 just days after mourning the loss of life, injuries and disruption caused by a senseless act of violence at UNCC, a sister institution. The Forty-Niners were there for us following Hurricane Florence last fall, and the Seahawks will be there for them as they find their way forward as a community.

Graduation begins with preparation, and UNCW has an excellent first-year experience program thanks to collaborative efforts by Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, as recognized on U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 list of “Colleges with Great First-Year Experiences.” Earlier this month, several UNCW students were awarded outstanding applied learning opportunities as SECU Public Fellows; as a Carolina Panthers scholarship recipient; as a YWCA Student Impact Grant recipient; as a recipient of the Black Faculty and Staff Association Merit Scholarship; and as a UNC System Presidential Scholar. Three Seahawk alumni also rose to the top of the entertainment field, winning Daytime Emmy awards!

Congratulations to biology lab coordinator Andy Miller, who received the 2019 UNCW Staff Award for Excellence. He and 19 other employees were honored by their peers for exceptional service to UNCW this past year. Kudos to our student-athletes as well: seven teams earned NCAA Public Recognition Awards for their academic success and 13 teams achieved perfect Academic Progress Rates, according to the latest information available. The men's tennis team received an Intercollegiate Tennis Association Community Service Award.

The baseball team scored a Colonial Athletic Association tournament win to celebrate Mark Scalf's final season as head coach.

Way to go, Seahawks!

Have a wonderful summer,

Jose V. Sartarelli
Chancellor

Chancellor Sartarelli and Alamance Community College President Algie Gatewood (right) signed a Pathway to Excellence agreement, which provides an avenue for community college graduates to receive guaranteed admission to UNCW. This month, the chancellor signed a similar agreement with Lenoir Community College. So far, UNCW has 25 signed Pathway to Excellence agreements.

View the slideshow: These photos represent just a sampling of the wonderful memories made during spring commencement and related recognition ceremonies. 

WATCH: As this video shows, UNCW faculty members are committed to supporting students and preparing them for success.

Chancellor Sartarelli and Watson College of Education Dean Van Dempsey (far right) congratulated the 2019 Ed.D. graduates. 

Biology lab coordinator Andy Miller (right) is the recipient of the 2019 UNCW Staff Award for Excellence. Heather Koopman, chair of the Department of Biology and Marine Biology, nominated him for his efforts to maintain laboratory space following Hurricane Florence. Chancellor Sartarelli recognized Miller and 19 other nominees.

Work is progressing on the new Student Housing Village. 

The Office of Student Leadership and Engagement and the UNCW Greek System received a Preservation Award of Merit from the Historic Wilmington Foundation for their Bellevue Cemetery cleanup. Pictured (clockwise from left): Amanda Gabbard, OSLE community engagement coordinator; Jaime Russell, OSLE director; Dean of Students Mike Walker; Lindsey Trione, Fraternity and Sorority Life assistant director; and Jordan Cooke, FSL student.

UNCW honored retiring baseball Coach Mark Scalf '80 (right) at the last home game of the 2019 season. The Diamond Hawks went on to win the CAA Baseball Championship and a berth in the NCAA Regionals.