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Students sit in The Lookout in Discovery Hall
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UNCW Magazine

Welcome to UNCW Magazine, your go-to source for captivating stories and updates about our vibrant coastal community. Published quarterly by the Office of University Relations, our magazine is crafted for the curious minds of UNCW alumni, staff, and friends.

Our content is inspired by various sources, including ongoing conversations with alumni, university leaders, faculty, and students. We strive to capture the intellectual pulse of our campus, bringing you the stories that matter most. Dive in and stay connected with the heart and soul of UNCW!

Fall 2024 Issue

About the Photo Above

Discovery Hall: The Lookout

A perfect Seahawk perch, The Lookout is located on the third floor of Discovery Hall, an expansive 80,000 square foot addition to the campus library. (Read the Fall 2024 UNCW Magazine cover story about the library.) The study room, gleaming with natural light, provides a sweeping view from the peaks of the pine trees to the vibrant campus below. With 30 seats, the lounge area is an ideal place for students to meet up with friends, study for exams, work on research papers or just take a breath.

Chancellor Volety

Greetings from the Chancellor

I am proud to share some of the incredible collaborations, focused on regionally relevant and globally important issues, that are highlighted in this edition of UNCW Magazine.

Message from Chancellor Volety
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How to Build a Helping Hand

Recreational prosthetic fingers that are both less expensive and easier to build now exist, thanks to a group of UNCW students.

How to Build a Helping Hand

Show & Teal

${newsImageAlt} UNCW Drives $3.2 Billion Economic Growth in NC The University of North Carolina Wilmington has released an economic development impact study that reveals a $3.2 billion impact on the state of North Carolina. UNCW Drives $3.2 Billion Economic Growth in NC
${newsImageAlt} UNCW Soars in 2025 U.S. News Rankings UNCW has made significant strides in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report “Best College Rankings,” showcasing its commitment to academic excellence and student success. UNCW Soars in 2025 U.S. News Rankings
${newsImageAlt} UNCW's Research Report Earns An A For the 2023-24 fiscal year, the university reports a record in new awards, exceeding $33 million. UNCW's Research Report Earns An A
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Culinary Champion: Q&A with Ryan Andress

With a career spanning 30 years, Chef Ryan Andress serves as executive chef at UNCW, where he focuses on creating diverse, nutritious meals and values collaboration with his team while emphasizing the importance of continual learning in the culinary arts.

Culinary Champion: Q&A with Ryan Andress
Dare to Learn Lecture: An Evening with Astronaut Scott Kelly Former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Scott Kelly will be the keynote speaker for the Fall 2024 Chancellor’s Dare to Learn Lecture, an extension of the Campus Life Leadership Lecture Series.    Dare to Learn Lecture: An Evening with Astronaut Scott Kelly
UNCW Seals Partnerships with Three International Universities UNC Wilmington has established partnerships with international universities to create opportunities to elevate academic and cultural experiences. UNCW Seals Partnerships with Three International Universities
UNCW Names New Watson College Dean Dr. Tracy Linderholm will assume her new role as the college’s chief academic and administrative officer on June 24, 2024. UNCW Names New Watson College Dean

Jayson Arendt ’24

From two-time CAA baseball champion to country music rising star, Jayson Arendt ’24 took a leap of faith to form a band while still enrolled at UNCW.

Jayson Arendt ’24

UNCW is a Silver STAR

A yearlong campus-wide effort has resulted in UNCW maintaining its STARS Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

UNCW is a Silver STAR

UNCW Announces Major Addition to Research Vessel Fleet

The Center for Marine Science at the University of North Carolina Wilmington is acquiring a cutting-edge 73-foot research vessel for its fleet. This vessel will greatly enhance the center's marine research capabilities, supporting a variety of scientific missions and community outreach programs.

UNCW Announces Major Addition to Research Vessel Fleet

Arts at UNCW

The Office of the Arts provides inspirational and cultural programming for the campus and community. It curates the Kenan Auditorium Presents Series, manages Kenan Auditorium and advocates for the arts in collaboration with campus academic arts departments and community partners. The 2024-25 season is underway with a wide range of performances—jazz, comedy, marine biology, dance, film and more!

More on Arts
UNCW Sees Record Enrollment Increase For the first time in UNCW’s history, student enrollment has surpassed 18,800, marking a significant milestone for the 77-year-old institution. UNCW Sees Record Enrollment Increase
Mia Gallagher ’26 Mia Gallagher ’26 discovered the perfect collegiate environment at UNCW. Here, she could immerse herself in her academic pursuits while riding the waves that fueled her love for surfing. Mia Gallagher ’26
UNCW Alumni Receive Pharmaceutical Chemistry Fellowships Three UNCW alumni have been awarded fellowships in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry’s Pharmaceutical Chemistry doctoral program. Caitlyn Agee, Sarah Barr and Jared Wood are the first cohort of doctoral fellows for Pharmaceutical Chemistry. UNCW Alumni Receive Pharmaceutical Chemistry Fellowships
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5

CAA Championships (10 in past 2 years)

4

CAA Players of the Year and 4 CAA Coaches of the Year

59

Student-Athletes Named All-CAA

Celebrating UNCW Athletics’ Past and Future

Men’s basketball launched the Live Oak Bank Holiday Classic, women’s volleyball celebrated its 50th anniversary, and women’s tennis traveled to Argentina.

Celebrating UNCW Athletics’ Past and Future
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39

Students-Athletes Named All-Region/All-District/All-America

3.443

Student-Athlete GPA Average (Spring 2024)

5,066

Student-Athlete Community Service Hours

More UNCW News

Soaring Seahawk's New Nest

The iconic Soaring Seahawk sculpture, a cherished emblem of UNCW’s spirit and pride, embarked on a new chapter on August 28. The sculpture swooped to a larger, more prominent perch on the historic Hoggard Hall lawn. Originally installed in May 2009, the Soaring Seahawk's relocation was necessary to accommodate roadway improvements on Wagoner Drive and improve pedestrian safety. The sculpture, funded by the late Irwin “Ike” Belk—a UNCW donor and business executive from Charlotte—was crafted by local metal sculptor Dumay Gorham III.

More about the move

New Chapter for the UNCW Library

Discovery is the inspiration for Discovery Hall, the newest addition to the UNCW Library.

New Chapter for the UNCW Library

Master Plan Is 'Tealprint' for Campus Growth

The 2024 Campus Master Plan, a vision for possible future enhancements to campus, became a reality on August 1 with the university Board of Trustees’ approval.

Master Plan Is 'Tealprint' for Campus Growth

Research Hubs Dive Deep

The UNCW’s Research Hubs program is a new initiative that provides the wide-ranging support necessary to address overwhelming problems. The two hubs tackle brain health and maritime cybersecurity.

Research Hubs Dive Deep

Seahawk Nation

Alumni Class Notes February 2024-August 2024 Updates on the personal and career accomplishments and achievements of UNCW alumni Alumni Class Notes February 2024-August 2024
UNCW Alumni Connect at Local Events UNCW's Seahawk community stays connected through local events such as Weekend in Wilmington and Pints with Professors. UNCW Alumni Connect at Local Events
In Memoriam: February 2024-September 2024 Saying goodbye and remembering UNCW alumni and friends we lost February 2024-September 2024. In Memoriam: February 2024-September 2024

Jan Donahue, First Women’s Basketball and Volleyball Coach

Legacies begin when a person is bold enough to make them. Jan Donahue was that person 50 years ago when she started the university’s first women’s basketball and volleyball teams.

Jan Donahue, First Women’s Basketball and Volleyball Coach
homecoming person from skywatch bird rescue has a hawk perched on their hands

Save the Date: Homecoming ’25

Join fellow alumni, families and friends for fun, festivities and boundless Seahawk spirit during Homecoming: February 13-16, 2025.

More About Homecoming

Message from the Chancellor

Dear Seahawk Community,

The University of North Carolina Wilmington changes lives, on campus and in our community, through high-quality academic programs, comprehensive research and creative pursuits, and a captivating college experience. Our long-standing commitment to students and deep connections to alumni form the basis of the UNCW network. The university’s reach stretches across North Carolina, leading to a $3.2 billion economic impact.

We started this academic year with a series of milestones, from the Board of Trustees’ approval of our new 10-year master plan to record enrollment, welcoming more than 18,800 students to UNCW. We opened a new chapter of the library, the intellectual heart of our campus. I invite you to spend time in this special place where learning and community come together in exciting ways.

UNCW’s commitment to innovative research continues to deepen. Our Research Hubs are delving into critical areas such as maritime cybersecurity and brain health. These initiatives are not only advancing knowledge but also addressing regionally relevant and globally important issues.

None of this would be possible without our remarkable community of students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. Together, we are building on the legacy of excellence that has shaped UNCW since 1947.

Your commitment and support inspire me and empower UNCW to serve as an engine of opportunity for generations of Seahawks. Let’s continue to discover, learn and soar together.

Aswani K. Volety
Chancellor

Revisit the Spring/Summer 2024 issue of UNCW Magazine