Former Chancellor Leads Heartfelt Restoration of Historic Hometown School

When former UNCW Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli thinks about the earliest chapters of his life, he often reflects on lessons learned in a sun‑washed schoolhouse in Ribeirão Bonito, Brazil. More than 95% of the town’s residents, including Sartarelli and members of his family, attended school at the historic Escola Municipal Coronel Pinto Ferraz, affectionately called “the Coronel.” 

Sartarelli, an experienced international business executive and higher education leader who retired in 2022 after seven years at UNCW’s helm, is channeling his energy into restoring the Coronel. The 1909 building served students for more than a century and stands as one of 123 architecturally significant schools built across São Paulo to advance literacy.  

For Sartarelli, who attended the Coronel during his second, third and fourth grade years, the restoration project is both deeply personal and firmly rooted in the future. He sees the structure not just as a landmark, but as a symbol of the town’s enduring commitment to education.Working alongside local leaders, residents and alumni, Sartarelli hopes to breathe new life into the historic site so it can once again serve students, this time as a middle school for more than 500. 

“This project is an example of giving back to my birthplace,” he said. “The Coronel represents a community’s belief in literacy and opportunity.” 

The restoration team recently submitted a proposal to the state’s heritage preservation authority. If approved, restoration could begin immediately with completion anticipated by mid‑2027. To learn more about the project, visit the Coronel restoration project website.Select the corresponding flag (Brazil or United States) on the homepage to view the information in Portuguese or English. 

"When we honor the places that shaped us, we help the next generation imagine what’s possible,” he said. “Giving back is how we keep the doors of opportunity open for every student who will follow."  

As UNCW Chancellor from July 2015-June 2022, Sartarelli championed programs and partnerships that emphasized community engagement, applied learning and global connections. Under his leadership, the university set records for annual enrollment and philanthropic giving; focused on a master plan to guide campus growth; increased community, military and international partnerships; enhanced online educational offerings; and added several new academic programs. In 2018, UNCW earned the designation “doctoral university with high research activity,” a classification reserved for just 139 institutions nationwide dedicated to training new scholars and investing in discovery.