Seeking to expand what makes UNCW Like No Other

Over $90 million has been raised as part of a multi-year campaign to create student experiences and produce global solutions like no other institution. View priorities ⟩

Alumni rallied and soared past the original participation goal of 50,000 gifts ahead of schedule. We have stretched the goal to 60,000 alumni gifts. View progress ⟩

Take flight with us! Drag the Seahawk icon or click on a topic to explore how we're driving real change.

Take flight with us! Click on a topic to explore how we're driving real change.

seahawk

Leading the way in Coastal Resiliency, Sustainability and Preparedness

shark fin in waves
people on campus between Clock Tower and UNCW arches

Enriching Experiences through Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Enhancing Health and Quality of Life in our region and beyond

active people with health and wellness icon in heart
 

shark fin in waves

Leading the way in Coastal Resiliency, Sustainability and Preparedness

Coastal resiliency is a core component of UNCW research. Communities across the country are increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters and long-term changes to the atmosphere and ocean.

Philanthropic partners help UNCW leverage our location, facilities and expertise — in all areas of study — to better understand risk and mitigate changes so we can protect our coastal community and the world at large.

Expand Your Horizons

Watch:
Tour the labs and hatchery at the Center for Marine Science

New Ventures in the Blue Economy
[video intro]New Ventures in the Blue Economy: Marine robotics, marine biotechnology, and other ocean sustainability sectors are predicted to be among the top 12 fields that will attract venture capital in the next five years. Today, one in six jobs in our region are in the Blue Economy, which encompasses all the businesses, technologies and activities contributing to sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth and improved livelihoods and jobs.

Understanding Coastal Hazards: Past, Present & Future
[video intro]Understanding Coastal Hazards: Past, Present & Future: A wide range of coastal hazards directly impacts the health of our coastlines and the sustainability of infrastructure and ecosystems that rely on it. UNCW researchers and students use various data to monitor changing coastlines and the development of regional and national models to better predict coastal hazards ranging from storm impacts to long-term coastal change.

Read:
Threatened coral species spawns for the first time in Coral REEF Lab

Dept. of Environmental Sciences Assists in Developing Coastal Watersheds

Coastal Engineering Fights Climate Change

One Way a Gift to UNCW Can Help the Environment

heart with wave

boat in water with shark fin in waves

Donors help create research opportunities for Seahawks to collect shark specimens

arrow
Center for Marine Science

MRI scans, 3D prints and equipment, also supported by donors, help Seahawks examine shark brains

arrow
arrow
water temps rising

Research shows rising water temperatures may be affecting shark species' brain growth and survivorship

arrow
person holding megaphone

Findings help us understand the impacts of climate change, leading to advocacy and action

Take a deeper dive:
UNCW’s Zombie Lab Shark Research

In Dr. Kara Yopak’s ZoMBIE Lab, shark brains are used to predict cognitive consequences of environmental change. Unlike humans, a shark’s brain grows through its entire lifecycle and students are researching the effect of increased water temperatures. Dive deeper into their preliminary data that suggests higher water temperatures may limit brain growth and impact species survivorship.

Explore More:

Enriching Experiences through Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

people on campus between Clock Tower and UNCW arches

Enhancing Health and Quality of Life in Our Region and Beyond

active people with health and wellness icon in heart

people on UNCW campus

Enriching Experiences Through Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

UNCW celebrated some important milestones this year, including the Upperman African American Cultural Center's 25th anniversary, Centro Hispano’s 15th anniversary and a transformational gift from John Scholz '84 and his spouse Dr. Anil Mohin to expand services and space for the Mohin-Scholz LGBTQIA Resource Office. "Because It's Time" public artwork was also installed on campus as a tool for social change and awareness.

Since July 1, 2015, the start of The Campaign for UNCW, over $2 million in gifts and commitments have been received and a new development officer was hired to support diversity initiatives. Recent graduate Kameron Williamson '21 credits donor support as a catalyst for his success and shares how his UNCW experience helped his dream of being a doctor become a reality.

Along with individual donors, foundations have also partnered with the university to make civic education more equitable. A grant from The Teagle Foundation will help UNCW begin the planning phase for an initiative where students can explore what it means to participate in a democracy, how that participation is actuated through civic engagement and how fragile that participation may be under certain circumstances, with a focus on Wilmington’s history.

“Over the past year, we hosted some exciting virtual programs, like Music Beyond Borders, featuring Las Cafeteras. The program showcased music videos and powerful conversations around Latinx culture and community organizing.”

Dr. Edelmira Segovia '98, '12Ed.D.
Director, UNCW Centro Hispano
2021 Distinguished Diversity Awardee

Las Cafeteras with Edel Segovia and Chris Montero during their performance and discussion video

Watch the entire Music Beyond Borders event, a fan-favorite from UNCW's first virtual Homecoming, or find specific discussion topics and performances by clicking on the chapter links on YouTube.

Explore More:

Leading the Way in Coastal Resiliency, Sustainability and Preparedness

shark fin with waves

Enhancing Health and Quality of Life in Our Region and Beyond

active people with health and wellness icon in heart

people outside on pathway with healthcare heart symbol

Enhancing Health and Quality of Life in Our Region and Beyond

Even in the most challenging situations, Seahawks always find a way to reach out and lend a wing. Explore a few of the ways students, faculty, staff and alumni are supporting our communities:

seahawk

UNCW’s Latino Alliance was recognized for their services and support in fighting COVID-19 in the Latinx community.

seahawk

UNCW's Center for Healthy Communities and county health departments partnered with community-based organizations to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in vulnerable populations, thanks to a grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.

seahawk

The pandemic created a unique opportunity for clinical research, with UNCW students and alumni on the front-lines, simultaneously working with vaccines, diagnostics and treatments.

seahawk

Ann Freeman '08, '17M, assistant secretary to the UNCW Board of Trustees, helped launch a pilot program that aspires to build swimming into the public school curriculum. “All children should know how to swim. It is not a leisure activity or solely an athletic opportunity — swimming is a lifesaving skill.”

seahawk

Dozens of experts collaborated to provide live and on-demand resources for remote working and learning in the Virtual Community. Take part in the fun with a guided therapeutic arts session that may help you feel a sense of calm and become more self-aware.

Thomas Williamson '94, '96M, the inaugural Yousry Sayed Distinguished Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences, works closely with students in the Drug Discovery Lab (pictured below) to develop treatments for age-related diseases. 

student conducting research in Drug Discovery Lab in the Center for Marine Science

Partnerships with donors augment the capabilities of these intiatives, helping to drive real change where it's needed most. Pairing these industry veterans and our unique location with philanthropic support provides one-of-a-kind experiences for our students to gain a competitive edge and feel invested in their work.

“I was very thankful when I found out that I was a recipient of the Margaret Z. Pennington Scholarship in Clinical Research and Nursing. Adding an unpaid internship into the mix this year would not have been possible without scholarships like this one.”

Madison Ramy '21
Inaugural recipient
Student Association for Clinical Research

Explore More:

Leading the Way in Coastal Resiliency, Sustainability and Preparedness

shark fin with waves

Enriching Experiences through Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

people on campus between Clock Tower and UNCW arches

When Seahawks Come Together, Anything is Possible

Every gift makes a difference. See for yourself in these highlights and special initiatives.

handshake

400+

students received aid from the
Student Emergency Fund
since March 2020

Meet a recipient ⟩

$1,520,677

in support for
student-athletes since
Sustain the Seahawks
drive launched September 2020

730

students awarded scholarships
during the 2020-21 academic year

Hear from recipients ⟩

graph showing increase in number of scholarships over time
174

Seahawks who supported
student-led initiatives
through TEALstarter
during the 2020-21 academic year

View Projects ⟩

1,888

Donors made a gift during
the 2021 Seahawks Give
24-hour challenge

Explore Results ⟩  

Want to Learn More?

Questions? Get in touch.

UNC Wilmington | 601 S. College Road, Wilmington NC 28403 | 910.962.3000 | About this Site | Copyright Notice | Feedback