Campus Digest
New
t r ust e e s
Fred Eshelman and H. David Swain are the newest members of the UNCW Board of Trustees. Eshelman, founder and executive chairman of PPD Inc., and Swain, founder of Swain & Associates, a real estate services firm based in Wilmington, are thriving businessmen with a commitment to the future success of the university. Both have strong connections to UNCW. Eshelman’s wife April, daughter Kimberly and son-in-law Bryan Batten are alumni. In addition to the clinical research program, he supports scholarships and other programs for student-athletes. “Fred Eshelman is known throughout North Carolina as an advocate and supporter of higher education,” DePaolo said. “He is an accomplished innovator and entrepreneur who has inspired PPD to become a leading global contract research organization (CRO) over the past 25 years. UNCW is extremely fortunate to have a leader of Fred’s distinction on our board of trustees, and we are particularly grateful for him to have invested in the formation of UNCW’s clinical research program, provided by our School of Nursing.” Swain has been active on campus for many years, holding volunteer positions with the UNCW Endowment Board, the Cameron School of Business Executive Advisory Board, the Seahawk Club Board of Directors and the UNCW Board of Visitors, including a term as chair.
Eshelman
Swain
He and his wife Diane donate to the university, often choosing to support scholarships, such as the fund they created to benefit the children of New Hanover County employees. In 2009, the couple contributed a gift valued at $1 million to establish the H. David and Diane Swain Center for Business and Economic Services in the Cameron School of Business. “David Swain’s appointment to the board reflects his dedication to serving our university as well as the Wilmington community,” DePaolo said. “He is a wonderful friend and benefactor, a community leader who values education and shares UNCW’s commitment to providing our students with the most powerful learning experience possible.”
fall 2010
UNCW Magazine 5