Whether it’s through MarineQuest, Kenan Auditorium, Randall Library, Seahawk athletics or any of the other seemingly endless possibilities, UNC Wilmington openly invites the community to be engaged with campus.
For local individuals looking to further their involvement with UNCW and become a leader for campus, UNCW Division for University Advancement volunteer boards provide the ideal outlet. One UNCW board that relies solely on the community for its membership is the Friends of UNCW.
The volunteer organization formed in December 1963. The Friends of UNCW originated 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 nearly 60 years.
“I started at UNCW when it was just three little buildings!” President of the Friends of UNCW Koula Katsikis said. “Each of us on this board has a different love for the university. I love the university because I came here. My children came here. I want to see it become successful. The university is such a wonderful thing for the community.”
Current contributions from the Friends support a merit scholarship and fund special projects based on proposals from UNCW faculty and staff.
“I love what this group does,” Katsikis said. “We’re involved with students, professors and the community. We’re involved in a lot of little things that can make a big impact. Just a little bit of money can go a long way.”
In the spring of 2022, the Friends of UNCW awarded 20 grants to a variety of departments and groups across campus. One direct impact on the local community, as well as UNCW’s campus, was a grant to Randall Library for a 3D desktop scanner for public use.
Another grant in the spring went to the Biology and Marine Biology Department to fund aquarium equipment that helps care for live animals. This allows students to have a true hands-on experience. Funds will be used to support necessary equipment needed to properly care for marine and aquatic invertebrates: crabs, crayfish and shrimp.
“Every vision through every Chancellor has expanded this university,” Katsikis said. “I cannot wait to see where Chancellor Volety takes it. The opportunities here are amazing. I want to be a part of the growth and making this university successful.”
One of the annual goals of the Friends is one of the group’s favorite projects – working with Campus Life to purchase student artwork. In previous years, this grant has allotted funding for the purchasing and professional framing of the student-created artwork that is found inside campus’ Fisher Student Center. UNCW has one of North Carolina's largest collections of student artwork.
“We want to keep the artwork on display so people can continue to come in and say, ‘Wow,’” Katsikis said.
As UNCW commemorates its 75th anniversary during the 2022-23 academic year, the Friends have played a key role in its continued success. Grants from the Friends of UNCW have also helped the institution achieve its original mission, to enhance lives through advanced education.
To help support the Friends of UNCW and its grant programs, please click here.