Connecting people to place is the principle guiding the roadmap to UNCW’s future physical 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’ unanimous approval.
“This is an exciting time for expansion and growth at UNCW. As our latest enrollment and retention rates indicate, people want to be here, whether as students, faculty, staff or members of the community. The approved master plan emphasizes our commitment to providing high quality, innovative spaces and resources.”
Carlton Fisher ’83
Chair, UNCW Board of Trustees
More than 1,700 students, faculty, staff, alumni and Wilmington community members participated in open forums and online surveys as part of an 18-month collaborative planning process.
What is a college without a campus, especially one as beautiful as UNCW’s? The classrooms, walkways, dining and sports facilities—a lot of life happens in these spaces. Campus infrastructure is at the forefront of supporting all we do.
In a little over 75 years, UNCW’s campus has grown from three buildings—Alderman, Hoggard and James Halls—to 171.
The new master plan outlines student housing upgrades, including a new residence hall to be built at the former site of Galloway Hall, UNCW’s first student dormitory. After serving the campus for decades, the building was razed during the summer of 2024 due to aging infrastructure and changes in building design.
“Many of our alumni fondly recall their years as Galloway residents, and it has been a consistent presence on campus for many decades,” said Kevin Meaney, director of housing and residence life. “It will always be remembered as the building that launched the residential experience at UNCW.”
Originally called Dorm ’71, Galloway Hall opened with 400 beds in 1971 and was the first air-conditioned residence hall in the UNC System. Its name honors Edmond R. Galloway of Fayetteville, NC, a popular student who died in a bicycle accident during his first year at UNCW.
“Generations of UNCW alumni have special memories of Galloway Hall. It was the kind of place where friendships were formed for life,” said Chancellor Aswani K. Volety. “While Galloway’s service to the university has concluded, its legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of many Seahawks for years to come.”
“We all had different majors, joined different sororities (or didn’t join any), and lived in different places after Galloway, but through it all, we have stayed close. We have been to each other’s weddings, we are godmothers for each other’s children, and we still get together for a yearly ‘Galloway Girls’ trip!”
Jennifer (Baughan) Mertus ’95
Share your Galloway memories and follow UNCW Alumni Association on social media during Homecoming 2025 (February 13–16) to join in our special Goodbye Galloway spotlight.
This article has the following tags: Engagement myUNCW
