In the early 1990s, Barri Piner decided that UNCW would be where she would study for her bachelor’s degree in English. Thirty years later, Piner, now an English instructor at UNCW, not only returned to her alma mater after a long stint at East Carolina University but also has three daughters attending UNCW, and all three study English.
Piner’s love for English has always been apparent, and that “may or may not have subconsciously influenced” her daughters, she said. “They all have different academic interests within their English studies, so I am glad to see them choosing their own paths.”
After graduating in 1994, Piner earned her graduate degree from ECU and continued to teach there for 17 years before moving back to Wilmington in 2015. Her husband, William, whom Piner met in high school, also graduated from UNCW in 1992 with a degree in marketing. Their daughters, Helen, McCartney and Abbey, are all currently graduate students.
Helen, the eldest of the three, earned a bachelor’s in English with a concentration in professional writing in 2020. She is now pursuing a master’s degree with a concentration in medical and science writing.
“As a child, I remember she would frequently read stories aloud to my sisters and me,” Helen said. “That is one of my earliest memories of her sharing her love for English with me. I am sure those fond memories made an impact on me and how much I value English studies.”
McCartney, the second eldest, earned her bachelor’s degree in 2023 with a focus on literary and cultural studies. She aims to combine her studies with her creativity and passion to help others in the future who need it. At first, McCartney struggled to figure out her major.
"Lying on my mom’s bed, upset and uncertain about my academic endeavors, I shared my struggles with her,” McCartney said. “She simply replied, ‘Why don’t you major in English?’ She suggested this because of her deep understanding of my upbringing, which was filled with writing and communicating, my passion for the humanities, and my varied interests across different fields. English was the most versatile degree I could choose, and my mom was right in her suggestion.”
Abbey, the youngest daughter, graduated in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in literary and cultural studies. She was drawn to the flexibility of the degree and its possibilities. Her favorite aspects of English include activism writing and linguistics.
“Seeing my mom’s love for her students is one of the ways she has influenced my decision to pursue English,” Abbey said. “I’ve seen her enthusiasm and genuine love of educating and supporting students through their academic journey, and that is something that has attracted me to the degree.”
Barri Piner finds it surreal to see her daughters walking the same hallways where they once tagged along with her as little girls.
“I never expected this to happen because none of them were quite sure what to major in at first,” she said. “I love that they love English as much as I do, and I love this season of our lives.”
To learn more about pursuing an English degree at UNCW, visit the English Department's website.
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