Friends of UNCW

The Friends of UNCW is a volunteer organization that formed in December 1963 to help Wilmington College (now UNCW) increase the library's holdings from 11,000 to 50,000 volumes — a minimum requirement at the time for accreditation as a four-year institution. The Friends have been steadfast UNCW supporters for more than 50 years.

The organization's current contributions include supporting a merit scholarship and annually funding special projects based on proposals from UNCW faculty and staff.

Elizabeth Dunn Friends of UNCW

My job on these boards is to be a part of keeping the university vibrant, and on the map.

resources

Current Members

Officers

Koula Katsikis

President

Allison Graham

Vice President

Janine Powell '88

Treasurer

Happy Clark

Secretary

Louise Gorham ’59

Honorary Life Member

Board of Directors

Cynthia Boylan

Nan Caison '83

Virginia Callaway

Kathey Craig

Julie Fisher '83

Amber Harris '04

Karen King '94

Heidi Lee '98

Meredith Lewis

Jane Maloy

Linda Miles

Kelli Queen '04

Nancy Rau

Lindsay Smith

Claire Stanley

Kay Warren

Beth Woodruff

To speak with someone about the Friends of UNCW, contact:

Chelsea Nelson
Assistant Director
Advancement Events and Boards
(910) 962.2214
nelsonc@uncw.edu

Grants Awarded

Each year, the Friends of UNCW awards grants from the support that they have raised. View some examples of the awards provided to students, faculty, campus and programs, or see all of this year's awards from the full list below.

Support for BaFa’ BaFa’ face-to-face learning simulations which enhances understanding of cultural differences so that teachers can better reach students.

Provides kitchen supplies for the new Military Resource Lounge to open in Veteran’s Hall.

A new vortex for the CMS molecular teaching lab used by both graduate and undergraduate students.

Support for the Coaction Lab, a collaborative faculty research initiative within the Digital Arts program.

Scholarships for students from underrepresented populations to participate in the Jr. Seahawk Academy and increase their interest in STEM programs.

Grants Awarded Spring 2022

Grant to the Art and Art History Department- A new 3D printer for the Fabrication lab to support various students and faculty in Studio Art, Digital Art, CS, Film Studies & Art History.
Grant to the Biology and Marine Biology Department to fund aquarium equipment that helps care for live animals so students can have a true hands-on experience in labs, working with animals. Funds will be used to support necessary equipment needed to properly care for marine and aquatic invertebrates: crabs, crayfish, and shrimp.
Grant to the Biology and Marine Biology Department to fund Infrared Bird viewing windows for studying thermal biology of local species.
Grant to the CARE Office for supplies to make victims of violence and assault more comfortable.
Grant to the Center for Marine Science- kit to repair the old aquarium.
Grant to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry to fund equipment and supplies to support atmospheric arsenic research in the Cape Fear River and coastal ocean from dust and rainwater.
Communication Studies Department grant for branded tablecloths to be used to promote the comms department for conferences and events.
Grant to the Department of Creative Writing to fund a recording device for their student run podcasts.
Grant to the Earth and Ocean Science Department for supplies to build a turbidity current tank.
Grant to the SHAHS Parks and Recreation program for a desktop monitor for undergraduate research assistants to complete work related to the NCRPA's training under the UNCW Parks and People Research Lab.
Grant to the Office of Military Affairs for supplies such as games and sound equipment to make veteran students feel more comfortable.
Grant to the Music Department to fund a recording kit that can be utilized for all music concerts.
Grant to the Psychology Department to fund the purchase of iPads used for student teaching.
Grant to the Randall Library for a 3D desktop scanner for students, faculty staff and the community to use.
Grant to the University College for MCAT exam practice materials for students.
Grant to Watson CSTEM to fund a variety of equipment to add to their outdoor learning space at DC Virgo.
Grant to the Watson Junior Seahawk Academy program to fund 20 Scholarships, books and materials for the Jr. Seahawk camp, as well as CPR training for staff.
Grant to the Campus Life and Arts Program to have selected student artwork professionally framed for display in the Fisher University Union.
Grant to the  Betty Holden Stike Education Lab within the Watson College of Education to purchase kitchen classroom supplies. These supplies help bring the math and reading concepts students are studying to life, through cooking.
Grant to the  Biology and Marine Biology Department to fund a dissecting microscope for parasitological investigations, for fine-scale anatomical investigations, and for a new project investigating microplastics in the digestive tracts of marine mammals, (e.g., parasites, plastics) under the microscope.