UNCW Magazine Spring/Summer 2019

SPRING/SUMMER • 2019

Doctors in the House UNCW earns elevated Carnegie Classification as a Doctoral University

FEATURE:

The Psychology of Eating

(and Other Complicated Issues)

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Spring/Summer 2019 Volume 29 Number 1

FROM THE CHANCELLOR PROGRAMS ON THE FAST TRACK

SEAHAWK SNIPPETS

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Short stories with big impact

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE THE HAPPINESS QUOTIENT MEET SHAWN BINGHAM SILVER LINING OF THE STORM

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FUELING WANDERLUST BLOOM WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED

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FEATURES GLOBAL CONNECTIONS THE STATE OF THE CAMPUS

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CLASS NOTES

On the cover: Anna Shaw Kirk Ph.D., a three-time UNCW alumna (B.S.N. ’02, M.S.N. ’06 and D.N.P. ’19), rings the CHHS Bell in recognition of her academic achievement as a graduate of the inaugural cohort of Doctor of Nursing Practice students.

“Do not be afraid to move outside of your comfort zone,” Kirk said. “If I can come from a small community hospital in a rural town with an associate’s degree and leave one day with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, so can you.”

Photo by Jeff Janowski/UNCW

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Produced by the Office of University Relations

CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Janine Iamunno EDITOR Jennifer Glatt DESIGN Shirl Modlin New PHOTOGRAPHY Jeff Janowski CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Caroline Cropp ’99, ’06M Mary Ann Fearing ’19 Venita Jenkins Tricia Vance Andrea Monroe Weaver Tyler Anne Whichard ’19 CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Krista McKinney Bradley Pearce CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Thomas Cone CLASS NOTES Caroline Cropp ’99, ’06M Division for University Advancement WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO UNCW Athletics EDITORIAL ADVISORS Missy A. Kennedy ’01 Eddie Stuart ’05M BUSINESS MANAGER Kelly Baker EDITOR EMERITA Marybeth Bianchi

DEAR SEAHAWK COMMUNITY, The end of the academic year is a magical time – a time to reflect on our students’ achievements to date while looking to their future with great optimism. This also applies when we think about UNCW as a whole and the year we’ve all had. We faced last fall’s Hurricane Florence with courage and tenacity, but we also now look at the future with immense hope for what our faculty, staff and students will accomplish and how our university will continue to flourish – no matter what storms may come our way.

There’s a strong sense of optimism on our campus, fueled by robust enrollment, several high-demand academic programs (“Programs on the Fast Track,” page 3) and $400 million in capital investments to sustain UNCW’s growth and to repair storm damage (“The State of the Campus,” page 28). Veterans Hall, the new student housing project, and many other construction efforts represent the university’s long-term commitment to providing a student-centered experience.

A record-setting year for research funding (page 4) has included an important new designation for the university. At the end of December, UNCW was elevated to “Doctoral University: High Research Activity” from a “Master’s College University: Large Program” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This prestigious distinction positions UNCW to recruit even more high-quality faculty and graduate students, resulting in an even richer academic experience for our students.

Those students will join a university that stops at nothing short of excellence.

U.S. News & World Report ranked our online programs the 8th best in the country. The Class of 2019 includes Fulbright Research Grant recipient Amanda Ceroli, a physics major. Narcisa Pricope, associate professor of geography, and Daniel Johnson, professor of music, also received Fulbright Awards. Our campus-community collaborations continue to grow (“Practice What You Teach,” page 6; “The Psychology of Eating and Other Complicated Issues,” page 22), and our global outreach is creating new levels of opportunity for UNCW students and faculty as well as our partners around the world.

And, of course, we have learned many things from Florence, including new information about how hurricanes affect coastlines (“Silver Lining,” page 16).

As the articles in this edition of UNCW Magazine showcase, our university is well on its way to meeting our 2016-2021 Strategic Plan goals, and then some.

For the successes we’ve already achieved and those that lie ahead, we must thank alumni and friends like you for your passionate support of the work we’re doing. We have the greatest faculty, staff, students and alumni in the world, and now, more than ever, I am so proud of what it means to be a Seahawk.

UNCW Magazine is published for alumni and friends of the university by the Office of University Relations, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 601 S. College Rd., Wilmington, North Carolina 28403. Correspondence may be directed to uncwmagazine@uncw.edu.

UNC Wilmington is committed to and will provide equal educational and employment opportunity. Questions regarding program access may be directed to the Compliance Officer, UNCW Chancellor’s Office, 910.962.3000, Fax 910.962.3483. UNCW does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Questions regarding UNCW’s Title IX compliance should be directed to TitleIX@UNCW.edu. 87,600 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $39,861 or $0.455 per copy (G.S. 143-170.1).

Printed by PBM Graphics.

Have a safe and wonderful summer!

Jose V. Sartarelli Chancellor

PROGRAMS on the Fast Track UNCW’s commitment to growth with quality includes developing new academic programs to meet current and future employment needs in North Carolina and beyond. Four new degree programs are expected to begin admitting students in the coming months, and the university continues to develop new Ph.D. programs in keeping with its elevated designation as a doctoral university.

Among the programs in development are new Ph.D. programs in pharmaceutical science and coastal and ocean science. Both programs reflect growth in industries that have a presence in or address issues that affect the Cape Fear region, North Carolina and the Mid-Atlantic region.

“These new programs reflect UNCW’s ongoing mission to prepare our students for an ever-evolving and increasingly competitive economy.”

– Rich Ogle, senior associate provost for academic affairs

NEW PROGRAMS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN FALL 2019:

Bachelor of Science in Coastal Engineering

Master of Healthcare Administration*

UNCW will become the first university in the U.S. to offer this degree, which will prepare students to address needs related to coastal communities, like sand replenishment; coastal structures; wetlands and marsh stabilization/ restoration; and other concerns.

Management positions in the health care field are expected to grow by 20 percent through 2026. This program will prepare students to compete for those jobs in the Cape Fear region and beyond.

Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communication* The Department of Communication Studies’ first graduate program will prepare students for jobs in this growing field.

The M.H.A. and M.A. in Integrated Marketing Communication will be offered in an online accelerated format.

SET TO BEGIN IN SUMMER 2020:

Master of Science in Athletic Training

Online Option for Master of Arts in Teaching

A master’s degree is the new standard for entry-level athletic trainers; UNCW has developed a program that will prepare students to compete for jobs in this field.

The Watson College of Education has added an online option for its Master of Arts in Teaching, as well as certificate programs in community college leadership; teaching early childhood education in community college; and mentoring and coaching. – Tricia Vance

* Pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

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SEAHAWK SNIPPETS

Record-Setting Research Funding UNCW continues to expand its research portfolio with 219 new grants – a 36 percent increase in new grants over 2017 – totaling $9.3 million in funding in Fiscal Year 2018.

The university’s record of success in sponsored research is one factor in its recently elevated Carnegie classification to Doctoral University with High Research Activity, said Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli. “This puts UNCW in an elite group of universities whose research is making an impact and whose teaching is transforming student learning.”

Six researchers were recently inducted into the James F. Merritt Million Dollar Club, which honors faculty who have received $1 million or more in research funding. The club is named for the director emeritus of the Center for Marine Science. During his 34-year career at UNCW, Merritt procured more than $14 million in grants and contracts to support research endeavors at the university. The club includes more than 100 members from departments across campus.

T H I S Y E A R ’ S I N D U C T E E S A R E: ASWANI VOLETY, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences NATASHA DAVIS, director of Quality Enhancement for Nonprofit Organizations (QENO) ANTJE ALMEIDA, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry DYLAN MCNAMARA, professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography

ANN PABST, professor in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology WILLIAM MCLELLAN, research associate in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology – Venita Jenkins

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$1 Million Club

$10 Million Club

Open Source Innovation Using Adobe’s Open Source program, the Innovation Advisory Council in the College of Health and Human Services and the Office of Innovation and Commercialization recently piloted a program to spur “unlikely innovators.” Faculty and staff from within the college’s Health and Applied Human Sciences, Nursing and Social Work schools were invited to submit project proposals related to product development, a new treatment approach or improving a process in healthcare to receive “Kickbox” grant funding for innovation projects.

Of the 17 applicants, six received a “Blue Box” and $1,000 in funding to apply the Kickbox process to their germ of an idea.

Competition winner Stacey R. Kolomer, UNCW School of Social Work director and professor, pitched the development of a modern-day phone tree, an app called “Safe and Sound,” which informs supervisors and managers of colleagues’ locations during a crisis. The project was a collaboration with UNCW’s Cameron School Business associate professor Elizabeth Baker and students Codie Nichols ’19 and Tyler Hall ’20. Kolomer received a $5,000 grant to begin development of her idea and will be a client of UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

The “Kickbox” initiative is currently housed within CHHS, but with support, it may eventually be offered campus-wide.

– Caroline Cropp ’99, ’06M

They Came, They Saw, They Learned From January to March, Wilmington served as a “home away from home” for 20 scholars from around the globe. Thanks to a Fulbright grant co-directed by Watson College of Education’s Amy Garrett Dikkers and the Office of International Program’s Jennifer Fernandez-Villa, international secondary school teachers became students in teachingrelated classes, technology classes, and discipline-specific sessions in math or English instruction. They took part in a field experience within one of four public schools in Wilmington, paired with local experienced partner teachers. Fellows also got a slice of American life outside of the classroom by engaging in civic and cultural activities, including a historic Wilmington tour, outings to see live music, museums and sporting events, and a farewell cruise on the Cape Fear River.

The Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement (Fulbright TEA) Program is a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. – C.C.

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SEAHAWK SNIPPETS

Sound the Alarm The annoying chirp of a smoke alarm’s dying battery is meant to be irritating – it means it should be changed immediately.

Unfortunately, a properly functioning smoke alarm is a luxury not everyone enjoys. Participating in the Cape Fear Chapter’s annual “Sound the Alarm” home fire safety and smoke alarm installation event in March, faculty and students from the UNCW World Languages and Cultures Department stepped up to help their community.

Practice What You Teach How do you teach someone how to teach?

The answer is simple – you let them teach.

UNCW School of Health and Applied Human Sciences Assistant Professor Amelia Huelskamp has partnered with Isaac Bear Early College High School and the North Carolina Special Olympics to ignite learning opportunities for her “Comprehensive School Health Education” and “Health and Physical Education Curriculum Development” students. Prior to this partnership, Isaac Bear students were learning their health education online. Huelskamp saw an opportunity to create a collaboration that benefited both groups of students.

“My [CHHS] students get the hands-on experience, while the Isaac Bear students get to learn important health skills from real teacher candidates,” said Huelskamp. In addition to teaching at Isaac Bear, the health education students hosted a health and wellness fair at MedFest, a national Special Olympics program that was created to offer free physicals for Special Olympics athletes.

Health ed students demonstrated fitness, nutrition and injury and disease prevention methods, while the curriculum development students used the Portable Nutrition Lab to teach the athletes how to make healthy snacks. SHAHS Associate Professor Steve Zinder’s undergraduate athletic training students also participated by helping the physicians from New Hanover Regional Medical Center perform the physical exams.

“I like that students get to see two very different populations and adapt to those two different audiences,” said Huelskamp. She is working toward implementing an applied learning component in every course she teaches, dovetailing with UNCW’s initiative to improve access to high-impact applied learning for all students. While other universities may offer hands-on opportunities, Huelskamp finds that UNCW does it particularly well.

“It was almost like I was baptized in applied learning when I started working here.”

– Mary Ann Fearing ’19

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Chris Lantz, associate dean of academic affairs for the College of Health and Human Services and Cape Fear Chapter of the American Red Cross board member, didn’t hesitate to get involved.

As part of a national campaign, the American Red Cross enlists the aid of volunteers to install free smoke alarms in high-risk neighborhoods.

In New Hanover County, there is a specific need for Spanishspeaking volunteers to assist in several sizable communities. UNCW volunteers were among the 100 who helped install 500 free smoke alarms, lending not only their physical abilities but also their language interpretation skills, easing the apprehension of many of the residents.

“This is a great example of UNCW partnering with a local agency to promote the health and well-being of Wilmington residents while highlighting our focus on applied learning,” Lantz said.

– C.C.

Multicultural Discourse Conversations about race and racial issues don’t always go as planned – and sometimes, that’s a very good thing.

Through a new learning community, first-year students examine commonalities between diverse people and how race and racial issues influence the ways people interact. “Social Consciousness: Coloring Between the Lines” explores the intersection of race among social, psychological, political, literary and historical lines.

Gender roles, sexual orientation and class issues are also discussed.

“Particularly in our country, race and racial issues unfortunately still play a large part of how we interact,” said Emmanuel Harris, a University College faculty member and a professor in the Department of World Languages and Cultures.

The interdisciplinary learning community, established in 2017, is led by Harris; Tracy Peña, a psychology faculty member; and Sean Palmer, director of the Upperman African American Cultural Center.

“We want students to learn how to talk about difficult topics,” said Peña. With regard to other cultures, we want them to be exposed to movies, literature, music and more, which they may not have pursued on their own, she added. “We hope students will create bonds with us and each other that will extend beyond our time together.”

The learning community addresses race in an effort to raise social consciousness of the students, not to advocate for a particular political or ideological position nor demean other groups, Harris said. The “Social Consciousness” class is just one piece of a much larger need to bridge the barriers that people tend to place between others who may look or act differently from them, he noted. “We hope, as part of the experience, that we all can become better leaders or racial ‘bridge-builders’ today and in the future.” – V.J.

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SEAHAWK SNIPPETS

The Art of Filmmaking Having his first small, indie studio-produced project nominated for an Oscar remains surreal for Shaofu Zhang ’06.

“To be there in that theater, among heroes and peers, was one of the most moving feelings I’ve ever had,” said Zhang, whose film One Small Step was nominated in the Short Film (Animated) category.

The film tells a coming-of-age story about a young ChineseAmerican girl who dreams of being an astronaut. The short film took 13 months from story development to final cut and has garnered numerous awards and accolades, including 69 official festival selections, 29 festival awards and two jury awards, though it did not ultimately win an Oscar.

“I think about my time at UNCW, the seed that was planted by the wonderfully supportive teachers whose passion for cinema was contagious,” Zhang said. “At UNCW, I fell in love with the art of film.”

Zhang graduated from UNCW in 2006 with a bachelor of arts in film studies and a minor in creative writing. In 2017, he founded TAIKO Studios as an international company with offices in Los Angeles and Wuhan, China.

The nomination is the first for a UNCW film studies graduate, said Mariana Johnson, chair and associate professor in the department. “Shaofu’s success reflects the fact that our alumni are capable of national – and even international – prominence.”

The Film Studies Department continues to grow and produce talented filmmakers and scholars who are excelling in film and media professions, including Aaron Pinkston ’05, Elaine White ’07 and Ryan Kawamoto ’08, who each won an Emmy during the 46th annual Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony held May 5. Pinkston and Kawamoto are staff members of The Ellen DeGeneres Show; White is co-executive producer for Valerie’s Home Cooking.

There are more good things to come for the Film Studies Department - two new graduate programs will launch in fall 2020; a master of arts in film studies and a master of fine arts in filmmaking.

– Mary Ann Fearing ’19

In Every Job That Must Be Done, There is an Element of Fun Caroline Roberts ’08 has hit the big time working behind the scenes of several Hollywood hits.

As an associate producer at Lucamar Productions, the production company of Oscar-winning director and producer Rob Marshall and John DeLuca, she worked on Nine; Pirates of the Caribbean 4; Into the Woods and most recently, Mary Poppins Returns.

“We’re working too hard to pay it much attention,” she said of working with big-name stars.

“But there are those occasional surreal moments where I have to step back and pinch myself, like when Dick Van Dyke is singing, ‘It’s a Jolly Holiday,’ or when I wound up riding a Ferris wheel with Lin-Manuel Miranda.”

Sometimes Roberts has the chance to be more involved with the storyline and editing. While making Mary Poppins Returns, she wrote and directed two short films, Better Than Somedays and Lily + Mara. Roberts made a quick stop in Wilmington last year when Lily + Mara screened at the Cucalorus Film Festival, an event she once interned for – proving that life often comes full-circle. – C.C.

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SEAHAWK SNIPPETS Fiery Feast At midnight on the last day of each month, online reservations pour into Maydan, a restaurant named one of the country’s hottest new eateries in 2018. One of the forces behind the popular Washington, D.C., spot’s success is UNCW alumnus and co-executive chef Chris Morgan ’11.

“We had a crazy year,” said Morgan, who is also an owner of the James Beardnominated restaurant. “You can’t plan for this.”

In 2017, he and fellow chef Gerald Addison were working on a concept for their own restaurant when they were asked by restaurateur and friend Rose Previte to join her in a new venture. (Morgan is also executive chef at Previte’s other establishment, Compass Rose.)

Maydan serves up aromatic dishes from the Middle East and North Africa, cooked on a fire in the dining room. The cuisine reflects the partners’ personal travels to countries that inspired the featured dishes.

The concept attracted attention from the start, and earned the #2 spot on Bon Appetit’s “Hot Ten” list for 2018, as well as similar accolades from Food & Wine, GQ and Eater. Morgan and Addison were awarded a “Rammy,” presented to rising culinary stars by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.

When Morgan headed to San Francisco with a degree in business administration in economics after graduation, he didn’t originally plan a career in the restaurant industry. However, previous restaurant experience and the need to find a job led him to a culinary career. He credits his UNCW degree with helping him open and lead the kitchens of several successful restaurants on the West Coast and in D.C. It also helped him when it came time to negotiate salary and profit-sharing terms.

“It is very easy to undervalue what you do, especially in an industry where many people are not highly paid,” he said.

Morgan isn’t ready to reveal his next project just yet, but said it will involve the food industry – a pretty tasty way to make a living, if you ask us. – Tricia Vance

Making the Sale The Cameron School of Business Center for Sales Excellence and Customer Delight held its inaugural internal sales contest in March. Hosted by nCino, a locally founded cloud-based bank operating system, the event created a roleplay competition for 21 top marketing and sales students, allowing them to act as sales representatives pitching a customized bank operating system in front of nCino representatives, acting as potential bank buyers. The contest was effectively applied learning in action.

The center was recently recognized as an associate member of the University Sales Center Alliance.

To earn full membership, members are encouraged to host and attend local, regional and national sales contests.

“These events enhance students’ communication skills and strengthen their ability to articulate their position in a stressful environment,” said Center Director Vince Howe. (l to r) Ruben Bermejo Gil, Sean Butler and Brian Whitman were the victors of the Center for Sales Excellence & Customer Delight’s inaugural Internal Sales Contest.

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Funds from Syneos Health’s gold-level sponsorship were used to award scholarships to the contest winners. Sean Butler ’19 received $1,000 for the upcoming academic year. Brian Whitman ’19 and Ruben Gil ’20 were awarded prizes for second and third place, respectively.

Howe has high hopes for the evolution of this event, and is considering engaging local and regional sales professionals and practitioners in future contests. – Tyler Anne Whichard ’19

For two decades, Linda Upperman Smith has helped open doors to higher education for underrepresented students through Stompin’ at the Savoy, an annual fundraiser for scholarships to increase diversity at UNCW. Money raised through the event has assisted UNCW in its commitment to maintain a campus community that values diversity and inclusion. In recognition of her continuous support, the university presented Upperman Smith with a framed scholarship agreement for the newly created Linda Upperman Smith Diversity Scholarship on April 27. Wilma Daniels, Board of Trustees member since 2008, looks on.

Art by Design A group of UNCW students will graduate with the prestigious distinction of being professionally commissioned artists.

In the spring of 2018, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Aswani Volety asked intermediate sculpture students in a class taught by Andi Steele, associate professor of art and art history, to create a piece to adorn the walls of the dean’s office in Bear Hall. The completed piece, “Garden of Knowledge,” was installed in December 2018 (right).

Steele notes that the projects are completed entirely by the students. “I facilitate the meetings and instruct as needed, but the process they go through is similar to the commission process that a working artist would experience – from the initial visit to the potential installation spot to the actual fabrication and installation of the sculpture.”

After noticing the sculpture in Dean Volety’s office, UNCW general counsel John Scherer asked the group to design a piece to spruce up his team’s “lawyerly” digs in Alderman Hall.

“Andi made it all easy,” said Scherer. “The students brought unique, compelling ideas to us. After much debate – no scales of justice needed – we settled on a kaleidoscope piece. It’s great to be part of the process of applied learning and celebrate the talent of our student artists.” – C.C.

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Home Field Advantage Longtime Seahawk Head Baseball Coach Mark Scalf ’80 helms his final season Head Baseball Coach Mark Scalf ’80 completed his final lineup card at the end of the 2019 season. A native of Cary, N.C., Scalf began his association with the Seahawks as a freshman infielder in 1977 and rejoined the program as an assistant coach on Bobby Guthrie’s staff in 1984. Scalf was elevated to head coach in 1991. He spent his 28th season with the Seahawks the same way he started – with clipboard in hand, perched atop the steps on the home dugout at Brooks Field. He finished it as only a champion can.

“It’s been an honor to coach college baseball at my alma mater throughout my career.”

UNCW’s all-time winningest coach with 941 wins

82 players have played professionally

6 CAA tournament titles

21 consecutive winning seasons

5-time American Baseball Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year

9 Colonial Athletic Association regular season championships

10 NCAA tournament appearances

More wins than any coach in CAA history 941-704-1 record* Assistant coach for Team USA in 2003 and 2007 * Record reflects stats and awards that had been announced by press time.

WATCH: uncw.edu/baseball_legend

7-time CAA Coach of the Year

“The opportunity to come here to the campus as an athlete, as a freshman student, to see the program grow the way it has…It’s been extremely rewarding to be a small part of that.”

– Mark Scalf ’80

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the

Happiness Quotient

by Tyler Anne Whichard ’19

Rebecca Rampe believes that happiness is more than a fleeting emotion – rather, it’s something to be studied on a social and cultural level.

Rampe, staff psychologist and outreach coordinator for UNCW’s counseling center, shares her curiosity for contentment by teaching “The Happiness Emphasis,” a one-credit Honors College enrichment seminar focused on happiness across the world.

Inset and above: “Happiness Emphasis” students experience the beauty of Iceland.

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Students enrolled in this course meet once a month for meditation and reflective discussion while enjoying course readings that include The Blue Zones of Happiness by Dan Buettner and The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky. The bulk of class time occurs the week following graduation, when Rampe and her students travel abroad to experience for themselves the lifestyles of countries that report higher levels of happiness. Students traveled to Iceland in 2018 and to Costa Rica in 2019.

Meet Shawn Bingham: A New Seahawk Lands in Honors College

When Shawn Bingham moved to Wilmington in July 2018, he brought a vision for the future of UNCW’s Honors College.

Bingham is UNCW’s new associate dean of undergraduate studies and an associate professor of sociology, as well as the new director of Honors College.

“People think happiness is something we just feel, but it isn’t,” Rampe said. “We aren’t wired that way survival-wise. We’re wired for the negative, because negative can hurt us. We have to work harder biologically to experience the positive.” The seminar also studies happiness as an important factor in public policy development and social progress, with perceived happiness providing people an advantage in successful careers, relationships, self-worth and the ability to thrive despite difficulties.

Rampe says she hopes students leave her class with an understanding that there is much they can do, both for themselves and others, to make a positive impact on the levels of happiness in their own communities.

Buettner, author of The Blue Zones of Happiness, notes that we have a lot of influence over our own happiness. What does he suggest anyone can do right now to increase our own? “Make a friend… volunteer…and do your best to always sleep seven and a half hours a night.” Now that’s some advice we could all stand to follow.

“The goal is to provide unique, high-access opportunities for undergrads that push beyond traditional ways of doing undergraduate education,” Bingham said of the Honors College curriculum. Much of his work happens outside of a traditional classroom – one hour will find him in discussion with students at the local art museum, and the next, giving tours to prospective students before meeting with admissions, financial aid and housing. He respects the discipline students come into Honors with and pushes them to explore, even question, what it is they came to do.

Bingham holds a Ph.D. in sociology from American University, an M.Ed. in special education from the University of Maryland at College Park and a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL. He succeeds Kate Bruce, who returned to the psychology faculty full-time after serving as the Honors College Director for 19 years.

“This is a unique community engaging across campus, across Wilmington and beyond,” he said. – T.A.W.

Silver Lining of the Storm Researchers make the best of bad weather

by Venita Jenkins

As Hurricane Florence approached the coastline in September 2018, Masonboro Island was bustling. However, this was no ordinary day at the beach. UNCW researchers were busy installing equipment and collecting “before” images of the island, knowing it would look much different post-hurricane. The information they gathered will improve how models predict coastal vulnerability and change during hurricanes.

Because beach and dunes are constantly in flux, pre-storm elevation data is often out-of-date, said Joe Long, lead researcher and an assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences.

In addition, post-storm data may not reflect stormrelated conditions because it is often collected after restoration activities have already occurred.

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“While we know that storms can dramatically alter coastal environments, it is notoriously hard to quantify how much sand has eroded from beaches and protective sand dunes without having data collected immediately before and after a storm event,” Long added.

The UNCW research team comprises Long, Andrea Hawkes and Lynn Leonard, all faculty in the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences and Center for Marine Science; Devon Eulie, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Center for Marine Science; and Eman Ghoneim, associate professor in the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences. The university received a $48,543 National Science Foundation Rapid Response Research grant to conduct the research.

Pictured left is a sediment trap next to a pressure sensor; at right is a pressure sensor.

The data collected will help monitor storm surge, dune erosion and overwash.

Andrea Hawkes and Joe Long

Images: Joe Long, UNCW

Researchers collected pre-storm drone images to map the elevations along diverse sections of Masonboro Island, part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve, located just south of Wrightsville Beach. They took the same images a week after the hurricane made landfall to document how different parts of the island responded to the storm. Researchers also gathered sediment samples and installed pressure sensors to capture the timing of the surge and wave run-up, and performed topographic surveys to observe how the beach naturally recovered after the initial storm impacts.

“We are observing this variation along just one barrier island,” Long said, though, to be sure, Florence affected countless miles of coastline. “Existing models for coastal change are not yet capable of capturing this entire range of variation, and this dataset will help in that goal.”

This critical “before and after” research may be the key to successfully weathering future storms for coastal areas locally and around the world.

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Czech Republic

Spain Citadel Park

Amsterdam River

Fueling Wanderlust For one student, persistence and old-school, handwritten letters were the keys to obtaining the opportunity of a lifetime. by Venita Jenkins

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In late 2017, Axel Tuxen ’19 came across an article in Forbes about a five-yearold girl who had written a letter to Google requesting that they consider hiring her older brother, because he was such a big fan of theirs. Google replied to the girl’s letter and ultimately hired her brother.

“When I first saw that, I was incredibly surprised; however, I also started thinking that nothing is impossible,” said Tuxen, a business administration major in the Cameron School of Business. “I thought maybe I could do the same thing and simply reach out and ask for a life-changing opportunity… which is exactly what I did.”

Belgium

Through research, Tuxen learned that National Geographic offered a program for high school students that allowed them to travel the world and participate in photographic projects. However, there was a small problem: he wasn’t a high school student.

Tuxen sent National Geographic a handwritten letter asking for an opportunity, pitching his idea to document an adventure. He provided a summer travel itinerary and offered to take photographs in exchange for the cost of his travel and accommodations.

“My first two letters did not receive a reply, but after sending a third letter, I finally got a response,” he recalled. That determination helped Tuxen secure a 59-day adventure traveling throughout Europe last summer.

In June 2018, Tuxen set off for Portugal with his father’s photography equipment. He toured Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Italy and Montenegro. He took a day-trip to Verdon Gorge, a river canyon in southeastern France, and “ash boarded” down a volcano in Italy (a sport also known as volcano surfing). Along the way, Tuxen met new people, sampled different cuisines and learned about new cultures.

“It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allowed me to connect with the world,” he said. Tuxen has proven that the ageold adage is true – it never hurts to ask.

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Bloom Where You’re Planted When it comes to Venus flytraps – otherwise known as “the great wonder of the vegetable kingdom” – Jessica Roach ’19 is extremely curious

by Caroline Cropp ’99, ’06M

Biology major Jessica Roach ’19 had never visited North Carolina until she moved here from Indiana in 2007. When she transferred to UNCW from Cape Fear Community College in 2016, little did she know her course of studies would lead her to help in the protection efforts of the state’s official carnivorous plant.

While studying the Venus flytrap under the guidance of Michael Durako, a professor in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology, she learned the intricacies and mysteries of these peculiar insect connoisseurs have made them vulnerable to poaching. As a result, most flytraps are grown in greenhouses, where they can be protected. Roach wrote a proposal requesting funds to build a greenhouse at Carolina Beach State Park.

“To my surprise, the board voted unanimously to approve funding for materials and future funding for any additions and expansions to the project,” said Roach. “I won’t lie – that was pretty rad, especially considering it was the first proposal I’d ever written.”

In addition to a dedicated location to propagate Venus flytraps and other carnivorous plants, Roach envisioned the greenhouse as a way to educate the public. She has already coordinated a program with MarineQuest to teach their summer camp “guppies” (children ages 4-7) about the plants. Additional plans approved in her proposal include building a bog garden behind the visitor’s center.

Though she has yet to officially complete her undergraduate work, she is already working on her graduate school application (for UNCW, of course).

“As someone pursuing a career in science, I can’t emphasize enough the importance I see in educating the public about your work. Making science less intimidating and more interactive will be something I work to do through the rest of my academic career.”

Visit uncw.edu/flytrap to learn more.

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Adya Khanna ’20 (left) and Jourdan Bayne ’20 show that playtime can teach valuable information to children and practitioners alike. Right: Khanna records information gleaned from a feeding session.

the Psychology of Eating

(and Other Complicated Issues)

The Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health tackles complex children’s challenges and banks valuable research along the way

by Tricia Vance

In a small room with toys and a cheerful wall mural, two UNCW students use exaggerated, silly gestures and repetitive cues to teach the 3-year-old in the high chair to take a bite of food. Each spoonful requires time and patience – the child had been refusing food, and losing weight to the point that a surgically implanted feeding tube would be the next medical step. A third student in the darkened observation room next door records each step and the results for later review.

The child’s parents and doctors are counting on a successful result from the Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health, affiliated with the UNCW Department of Psychology. The feeding disorders clinic, directed by associate professor of psychology Melanie Bachmeyer-Lee, receives referrals from throughout North Carolina and other states. It is one of three pediatric programs within the center that serve the public and support student and faculty research. The center, which opened last fall, also includes early skills acquisition and severe behavior programs.

“We’re providing clinical services to children and adolescents with intellectual, developmental and behavioral disorders, while providing applied learning experiences for undergraduate, master’s degree and Ph.D. students who work alongside psychologists and behavioral analysts,” said Bachmeyer-Lee, who is also president of the center.

Students get direct experience using their applied behavioral analysis skills and conducting research that will benefit both their academic goals and the clients they help. (Efforts like this and other scholarly activities recently helped earn the university the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” by Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.)

“Having a center where our students are getting firsthand clinical experience is absolutely indispensable for a Ph.D. program,” said Julian Keith, chair of the psychology department.

The center also drives research.

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“Essentially, this is a laboratory,” said Keith. “While we are providing clinical services, we are also collecting data. We can evaluate empirically the effectiveness of different treatments, or develop new treatments. This is an avenue for showing agencies that the work we are doing is worthy of their support, and it pushes the field forward.”

“The clinic is very important to my research,” Irwin said. “No two clients’ behavior exhibits in the same way. Dr. Van Camp uses her experience and expertise to guide her students and challenge them to think critically about developing individualized treatments for each of our clients. This supervision benefits the client and helps shape our behavior as future researchers and clinicians.”

Associate professor Carole Van Camp is the clinical research director and runs the severe behavior clinic, while assistant professor Tom Cariveau serves as clinical training director and directs the Early Skills Acquisition Program, which teaches important skills to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities.

Batchelder plans to focus her professional career on adult behaviors, but the center enables her to get a broad view of her chosen profession and log the clinical hours required for certification.

Among the students benefiting from working with clients and the faculty mentors are Sydney Batchelder ’19M and Casey Irwin ’20M, who are enrolled in the combined master’s/doctoral program in psychology. Irwin, who worked with in-home clients before enrolling in the UNCW program, is working with Van Camp in the program for children with severe behaviors, which can include aggression or self-injury.

“I never worked with kids,” she said. “It’s a good fit – more so than I expected. It’s actually a lot of fun, and I get a lot more attached [to the kids] than I expected.”

Visit uncw.edu/Behavioral_Health to learn more.

(left) Doctoral student Sydney Batchelder engages in one-on-one play with a pint-sized patient. (above) Post-doctoral fellow Caitlin Kirkwood (left), a member of the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program team, works alongside clinic staff member Nannette Blois-Martin with a pediatric gastroenterology patient.

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How can UNCW engage middle schoolers in STEM so that they are excited, innovative and inquisitive as they approach challenges? With the aid of an $188,064 U.S. Department of State grant, the WCE team is collaborating with Pakistani educators to find the answer.

Through a project called Innovating and Designing Engaged Applications in STEM Education (IDEA–STEM), the group will develop and implement learning units for middle school curriculum in water and natural management, the use of recycled or repurposed products in waste treatment, and integrating computation modeling and experimentation.

“Challenges facing students in Pakistan are similar in many aspects to those we might face in the U.S. or other countries,” said William Sterrett, educational leadership associate professor and principal investigator of the grant. The project is a partnership with faculty at the University of Education Lahore in Pakistan. Jess Boersma, associate dean of UNCW’s College of Arts and Sciences and director of applied learning; and Karl Ricanek, a professor in UNCW’s Department of Computer Science, assisted the team with securing the grant.

Sterrett and UNCW doctoral students Chris Gordon ’18Ed.D. and Sohail Sukhera ’21Ed.D. traveled to Pakistan in December 2018 to conduct a week-long professional development workshop. Former UNCW professor Mahnaz Moallem accompanied them.

(Moallem introduced the Instructional Technology master’s program at Watson College and served as MIT program coordinator for nearly two decades. She left UNCW in 2018 to accept a position at Towson University.) The team provided educational leadership, training, software and hardware to public middle schools in Pakistan.

Sukhera, who was born and raised in the Lahore region, helped facilitate cultural connections and assist with technology needs.

“IDEA-STEM allowed people-to-people contact in a positive, constructive educational environment,” said Sukhera. “The world today needs many more such interactions to develop trust among diverse groups of people. In an academic global village, such positive experiences are invaluable.”

UNCW and Towson University faculty shared their expertise on how to use projectbased learning in the classroom to develop critical thinking and make STEM education an engaging, hands-on experience for the students.

Watson College of Education faculty and graduate students are helping build STEM education in Pakistani middle schools by Venita Jenkins

“Pakistani public schools’ education model will benefit tremendously from this new approach to STEM education,” said Sukhera. “This project provided the impetus for my dissertation research. It was wonderful to experience firsthand how research-based educational change can improve the learning outcomes for both teachers and students.”

Prior to the trip, the UNCW team and Pakistani educators reviewed Punjab curriculum and aligned it with problem/project-based learning activities.

“This grant work shows the powerful potential of bringing together multiple departments, colleges and universities to focus on new collaborations that can affect students in a lasting way,” said Sterrett.

state of campus the

the

Several construction projects designed to enhance the academic core of our campus are underway. While these building and renovation efforts will alter campus life for current students, faculty, staff and campus visitors, they will also make a lasting difference on our campus for generations of future Seahawks. Here is a sampling of a few of those.

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The largest project currently underway, Veterans Hall is a $66 million facility that was funded by the Connect NC bond approved by voters in 2016.

The 145,000-square-foot building will be the new home of the College of Health and Human Services to house existing degree programs and provide the opportunity to develop new programs like healthcare administration/ analytics, speech language pathology and physician assistant studies. It will include labs and classrooms to support teaching, research and community engagement, as well as space for several of the College of Arts and Sciences’ chemistry programs, including pharmaceutical science, and support space for military-affiliated students.

On April 11, the Seahawk community, alongside CHHS Dean Charles Hardy, Chancellor Sartarelli, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Aswani Volety and Director of Military Affairs Bill Kawczynski, celebrated the placement of the last steel beam – dubbed a “Topping Off” ceremony. The beam represented the completion of the steel structure, one of several milestones in the construction project.

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Top: The William Madison Randall Library project includes a 40,000-square-foot expansion to the library as well as the renovation of the 150,000-square-foot existing building to add necessary program space, modernize the existing facility, and meet the needs of students and faculty. Bottom: Recent additions of two surface parking facilities located near the intersection of Hurst Drive and Hamilton Drive will be welcome for drivers and bikers alike.

For more information on the state of the campus, visit uncw.edu/campusconstruction

classnotes 2000s

1970s Dave Monaghan ’77 retired and closed the doors of the popular Wrightsville Beach restaurant Causeway Café, which he owned for 32 years.

Peggy C. Rooks ’77, along with her husband Garry, established the Peggy C. and Garry R. Rooks Support Fund for Biology and Marine Biology and the Peggy C. and Garry R. Rooks Support Fund for Economics.

1980s Tom Lamont ’80, a past chair of the UNCW Alumni Association and 2019 Clocktower Society member, was installed as president-elect of the Wilmington Kiwanis Club and received the William H. Montgomery Award in recognition of his outstanding service to youth.

Jody Wainio ’83 was featured in the WilmingtonBiz article “Affordability Advocate.” The Wilmington realtor spoke on bridging the gap between public and private partners to bring more affordable housing opportunities to the area.

Alan W. Denney ’86, along with his wife Karen, established the Denney Family Scholarship in Chemistry at UNCW.

Barry Collins ’89 is superintendent of Onslow County Schools (NC).

Judy Lynn ’89 is executive vice president and chief credit officer for Southern Bank and Trust Company, a $2.6 billion community bank. She was a 2019 Cameron School of Business Outstanding Alumni Awards honoree.

1990s David Kesler ’90 joined Union Bank as a commercial relationship manager in the Wilmington market.

Steve Hewins ’91, mortgage senior vice president, was the featured speaker at each of the 2019 RoadShow stops for CU Members Mortgage, which serves credit unions and provides home loans in all 50 states.

Jerome Hunt ’91 was named the Robeson County (NC) director of athletics and driver’s education.

Jennifer Ploszaj ’91 was appointed chief marketing officer at WATG, a luxury interior design studio in New York.

Catherine Gwynn ’92 is finance director for the City of Goldsboro, NC.

June B. Gray ’86 established the June Benton Gray Scholarship in Volleyball Endowment at UNCW.

Judge Christopher Windly Rhue ’93 was the guest speaker at the Anson County NC Toys for Tots 2018 Gratitude Banquet.

Lisa Hildebrand ’86 joined Fidelity Bank in their Biscoe, NC, office as assistant vice president and business solutions officer.

Line Dempsey ’94, owner of NC Touring, is a senior investigator for the NC Dental Board.

DeAnna Henderson Bousman ’87 joined The Insurance Center in their Atlantic Beach, NC, office as a personal lines producer/account executive.

Corrina Reece ’94 was recognized as Teacher of the Week by WWAY-TV.

Stephanie Hunt ’87, principal at Walter M. Williams High School in Burlington, NC, was named Alamance-Burlington Principal of the Year.

Jim Morton ’88, Cape Fear Community College president, was appointed to the NC Financial Literacy Council.

Janine Powell ’88, a 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award honoree (Distinguished Citizen of the Year), 2019 UNCW Society and 2019 Clocktower Society member, was nominated as Fundraising Executive of the Year by the New Hanover County Community Foundation.

Vance S. Davenport III ’95 established the Davenport Scholarship in Communication Studies at UNCW. Veronica Godwin ’95 has been selected to lead Cape Fear Community College Foundation Inc., a nonprofit that supports the college and its students, faculty, staff, programs, scholarships and specific capital projects.

Jerry Oates ’95, ’03M is superintendent of Brunswick County Schools (NC).

Christy Spivey ’95 was featured in the StarNews article, “Leland Native Discusses Career-Long Journey with NHRMC.”

Chase Brockstedt ’96 was chosen by his peers as a “Top Lawyer 2018” (personal injury plaintiff category) by Delaware Today magazine.

Rebecca Knudson ’00 was named to the 2019 North Carolina Super Lawyer List in Construction Litigation. She serves on the Cape Fear Area Alumni Steering Committee.

Wanda Coley ’96, president and chief operating officer at Well Care Health, a home health care service in Wilmington, was named a “Health Care Hero” (health care executive category) by the Greater Wilmington Business Journal.

Travis Corpening ’00, ’07M, wrote a children’s book, The Adventures of Lucas and Alyci. He is a past recipient of the UNCW Alumni Association’s Young Alumni of the Year.

Matthew O. Brecht ’97 has joined Marrone Bio Innovations Inc., a leading global provider of bio-based pest management and plant health products, as key account manager for the cannabis agricultural market segment.

Jim Hundley ’00M, executive vice president and director of preconstruction for Thomas Construction Group, is chair of the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina board of directors.

Vern Granger ’97 is director of undergraduate admissions at the University of Connecticut.

Jaime Simmons ’00 was selected for the Snapple 2019 National Pro-Elite Triathlon Team. She and her husband, David, reside in Abingdon, VA, with their sons Lucas and Hunter.

Danielle Griffiths ’97, Brown University women’s golf head coach, was named the 2018 Ivy League Coach of the Year.

Matt Lutz ’01 was featured in the Black Mountain News article, “Matt Lutz Finds His Way to Broadway and Back to the Valley.”

Chuck Grimsey ’97, was featured in The Globe’s “School Spotlight.” He has been a sixth-grade science teacher at Dixon Middle School in Onslow County, NC, for 24 years after spending 20 years in the Marine Corps, retiring as a master sergeant.

James Patterson ’01, chef at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, NC, participated in the NC Azalea Festival Showcase.

Maura Kropke ’97 was featured in the StarNews article, “Wedding Violinist Talks About Playing Songs of Love.”

Vivian St. Juste ’01, ’15M was named executive director of Wilmington’s Blue Ribbon Commission on the Prevention of Youth Violence.

Kara Gansmann ’98 was named partner in the law firm Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP, which provides extensive legal services in Raleigh, Wilmington and Charlotte, NC. She serves on the Cape Fear Area Alumni Steering Committee.

Jonathan Williams ’98 became creative director at The Brandon Agency, a media company headquartered in Charleston, SC. Jason Wheeler ’99, ’03M, CEO of Pathfinder Wealth Consulting, is on the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list for 2019. He is a past chair of the UNCW Alumni Association, recipient of the UNCW Alumni Association’s Young Alumni of the Year and a 2019 UNCW Society and Clocktower Society member.

Kelly Slade ’01, of Chicod School in Pitt County (NC), was named WITN’s Teacher of the Week.

Walker Mobley ’02 was named regional sales manager for Central Life Sciences, a pesticide distributor and supplier. He will cover the pest control markets in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Lucy Purgason ’02, assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Psychological Counseling in Appalachian State University’s Reich College of Education, has been named a recipient of the Chi Sigma Iota Journal of Counselor Leadership and Advocacy Outstanding Article Award.

Jay Toland ’02 was named chief financial officer for the City of Fayetteville, NC.

Maggie Ashburn ’03M was promoted to senior manager at RSM US LLP in their Wilmington office.

Richard Wiebe ’04 was awarded a Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship from the Jerome Foundation. Sixty fellowships are awarded annually to early-career artists based in Minnesota and New York City.

Michael Conley ’05, director of planning and zoning for Kershaw County, was selected to participate in the 2019 Class of Leadership South Carolina, the oldest state organization dedicated to leadership development.

Heather ’05 and Samuel ’02 Mintz established the Sam ’02 and Heather ’05 Mintz Scholarship in Business in honor of the education they received from the UNCW Cameron School of Business.

Sam Romano ’05 was appointed as a commercial fisherman to the Marine Fisheries Commission by NC Governor Roy Cooper.

Robert F. Cameron Jr. ’06M, along with his family, established the Margaret Cameron Edge Scholarship Endowment in Margaret’s memory to assist Honors students who share Margaret’s love of animals.

Jennifer Dove ’06, a nurse practitioner in endocrinology, joined the Wilmington Health Endocrinology team.

W. Marlowe Rary II ’06 joined the Salisbury, NC law firm of Whitley, Jordan & Ingle PA as an associate attorney.

Peggy Sloan ’06M was named chief animal operations officer at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.

Michael Waine ’06 joined the American Sportfishing Association as Atlantic Fisheries Policy Director. Based in Morehead City, NC, he will focus on fisheries policy in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions.

Ray Herndon ’07 was named town attorney for Ellerbe, NC.

In Memoriam: Philip Furia (1943-2019) Phil Furia arrived at UNCW in 1996 to chair the Department of English. Over the next 23 years, he would also serve as the first chair of the Department of Creative Writing, interim chair of the Department of Theatre and director of the film studies program (now the Department of Film Studies).

The mark he left on these areas is indelible. “Kenan Hall feels empty without Phil’s presence,” said David Gessner, current creative writing department chair. “He was, quite simply, our founder.”

In addition to his prolific career in academia, Furia was a noted scholar on the “Tin Pan Alley” era of American music. He wrote and narrated “The Great American Songbook,” a weekday feature on public radio station WHQR. He also authored and co-authored the books The Poets of Tin Pan Alley; The Songs of Hollywood; The American Songbook; and biographies of Irving Berlin, Ira Gershwin and Johnny Mercer.

Furia held a bachelor’s from Oberlin College, a master’s from the University of Chicago, an MFA from the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa.

A Pittsburgh native, he is survived by his wife, Laurie Patterson, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science; a brother; three children; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. – C.C.

Derek L. Bomar ’08 established the Open a Door Travel Award to support students participating in the annual networking trip sponsored by the UNCW Department of Economics and Finance.

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Calling all Seahawks!

Share your news Stay involved Show your support

In Memoriam: Marvin K. Moss

uncw.edu/alumniupdate Josh Bonifay ’08 is the Philadelphia Phillies’ director of minor league operations.

(1931-2019) Former UNCW Provost Marvin K. Moss passed away on January 9, 2019.

He first came to UNCW in 1992 as a faculty member in the Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography.

He served as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs from 1992-99.

During his tenure, Moss was instrumental in the growth of the marine science program. The road leading to the CREST Research Park, which now includes the CMS building, the Shellfish Research Hatchery and MARBIONC, bears his name.

Martin H. Posey, current director of the Center for Marine Science, called former Provost Moss a tireless supporter of the marine sciences. “His experience and work contributed greatly to the development of our Myrtle Grove campus and the modern marine facilities located there, a legacy that continues to be built upon.”

Moss earned an M.S. in physics and nuclear engineering and a Ph.D. in physics from North Carolina State University, where he also taught. He remained at UNCW as a professor teaching courses in physics, physical oceanography and environmental studies until 2006. He was a member of the Ten Million Dollar Club, a recognition of the research funding he acquired.

A native of Burlington, NC, he is survived by three children: Stephan, Derek and Shauna; a granddaughter and several nephews and nieces. – C.C. & T.V.

David Glasier ’08M was named human resources director for the Aberdeen School District in Washington state.

Katelyn Litalien ’08 was promoted to director of marketing and member services at Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association.

Based in Durham, HDMA is the Commercial Vehicle Division of the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association.

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Andrew M. Logan ’11 joined Blank Rome LLP as an associate in the firm’s tax, benefits and private client group in the Philadelphia office.

Kevin Blackburn ’12, has been named executive director of DREAMS of Wilmington, the nonprofit offering arts programs to less-advantaged youth.

Elton Daniels ’09M is director of parks and recreation for Rocky Mount, NC.

Johannes Lichtman ’12M published the novel Such Good Work.

Michael Last ’09, AiM system administrator within UNCW’s Office of Facilities, was among 20 state employees honored with a 2018 Governor’s Award for Excellence.

Terrie L. Nelson ’12, ’15M, joined the law firm Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP, which provides extensive legal services in Raleigh, Wilmington and Charlotte, NC, as an associate attorney.

Joseph S. Perkins ’09, ’11M established the Joseph S. Perkins Scholarship in Business Endowment at UNCW to encourage students who value activism within the community in a spirit of promoting the well-being of others.

Cliff Pyron Jr. ’09 became senior manager of business development at Wilmington Business Development.

Ashley Brennan ’10 ’12M, a first-grade teacher at South Brunswick Charter School in Bolivia, NC, received a Teacher of the Year award from Roger Bacon Academy.

Jenny Lee ’10 was named one of Salisbury Post’s “10 to Watch.”

Allison Scott ’10M, a certified family nurse practitioner, started work at Southeastern Cardiology and Cardiovascular Clinic on the campus of Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton, NC. Sarah ’10 and Grey ’04, ’05M Vick established the Vick Family Scholarship in Business to support students pursuing a degree offered by the UNCW Cameron School of Business.

Amanda Schlaeppi Davis ’11, ’13M, of Pactolus Elementary in Pitt County (NC), was named WITN’s Teacher of the Week.

Amy Davis ’11, of Southwest Elementary in Onslow County, NC, was named WITN’s Teacher of the Week.

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Joni Garrett ’11, a health fitness specialist with Cone Health, was the spokesperson for “Healthy Holidays: Get Back on Track with Exercise” on Fox 8 in Greensboro.

Logan White Thompson ’12M, executive director of Welcome Home Angel, was awarded the 2019 Chamberlain Scholarship by the Cape Fear Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Julie Andrews ’13, a 2019 Clocktower Society member and president of the Communications Studies Chapter, was promoted to marketing manager over all divisions of Logan Homes. Logan Homes has been building new homes along the Southeastern Carolina Coast since 1986.

Charles Cox ’13, a 2019 Clocktower Society member and a fourth-generation member of the Holt Oil Co., joined the family business in Wilmington. Holt Oil Co. Inc. comprises three corporations: Holt Real Estate Inc., Holt Transport Inc. and Holt Cstore Inc. Amy Ballard ’14 is the horticulture agent for North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Davidson County.

Molly Capps ’14Ed.D. was appointed principal of the new Area I Elementary School, opening fall 2019, by the Moore County (NC) Board of Education.

Kylie Reynolds ’14, of North Brunswick High School, was recognized as a WWAY-TV Teacher of the Week.

Matthew “Matt” Zapp ’14M is serving as town manager of Emerald Isle, NC.

Tammy Baysden ’15, of Warsaw Elementary School in Duplin County (NC), was named WITN’s Teacher of the Week.

Dani High ’15M, a fifth-grade teacher at Charter Day School in Leland, received a Teacher of the Year Award from Roger Bacon Academy.

Will Jenkins ’15 and Matt Khouri ’12, Will co-owners of Delmarva Boil Company in Ocean City, MD, Outer Banks Boil Company and Cape Fear Boil Company, raised $3,000 for UNCW’s Hurricane Florence relief efforts.

Andrew Lade ’15C, ’15M served as a legislative intern in Oregon Sen. Cliff Bentz’s Capitol Office for the 2019 Legislative Session.

Joseph DeLucia ’17 joined the Delmarva Shorebirds Minor League Baseball organization as a ticket sales account executive.

William Bunch ’16 was named president of Maze Financial Planning, LLC in Chapel Hill, NC.

Nicole Geczi ’17M, executive assistant in the Watson College of Education, was awarded the 2018 UNCW Staff Award for Excellence.

Cassy Taverna ’16M, a licensed clinical social worker associate and a therapist at the Chrysalis Center in Wilmington, was a keynote speaker at the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation’s 2019 Symposium.

Adam McManus ’18 became a paraplanner with Pathfinder Wealth Consulting in their Wilmington office.

Noah Miyazaki ’18, vice president of business development, Miyazaki Enterprises LLC, was named a “Health Care Hero” (health care innovation category) by the Greater Wilmington Business Journal.

The Class Notes are compiled by the Division for University Advancement.

Share your news at uncw.edu/alumniupdate.

classnotes

* Donor and giving society recognition reflective of July 1, 2018 - March 31, 2019 *

In Memoriam Alumni Thomas L. Wallace ’61 Margaret H. Wells ’65 Lionel L. Yow ’65 Betsey Talley ’68 Sharon B. Walker ’71 Bonnie J. Vargo ’76 Edward W. Trott Jr. ’80 James B. Tipton ’83 Joshua B. Vach ’87 (see expanded listing, at right) Teresa D. Whetsell ’93 Joseph C. Vines ’09 Daniel P. Walsh ’16 Jacqueline Winter Thomas ’17

Non-Alumni Abigail S. Edwards Donald H. Fallis Philip Furia (see expanded listing, page 33) Margaret J. Gates Hugh MacRae II Marvin K. Moss (see expanded listing, page 34)

In Memoriam: Joshua B. Vach ’87 (1965-2019) Local restaurateur and UNCW donor Joshua B. Vach ’87 passed away on May 15, 2019.

The Maryland native owned a family of “Live.Eat.Surf” restaurants that included the popular eateries K-38, Tower 7, CRUZ and Café Del Mar. While earning a bachelor’s in economics at UNCW, he was a member of the Surf Club. He gave back to his alma mater through founding the Tower 7/WBLivesurf Scholarship Fund, a merit scholarship to encourage students to participate in initiatives that focus on a healthy coastal community and sustainability.

“He was such a generous person and I feel so grateful to have been supported by him,” said scholarship recipient Erik T. Paulson ’19. “It wasn’t just the financial

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support – it was the surf team funding and the community and resources the scholarship provided, too. Josh didn’t think twice about putting us first.”

Vach was recognized by the UNCW Alumni Association as the Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 2015. A longtime supporter of the Surfrider Foundation, he created Cinco de Bow Wow, an annual fundraiser to support local animal shelters and Canines for Service.

He is survived by his wife Cindy; sister Martha Vach Redding; brothers Richard and Thomas; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. – C.C.

General manager of dental and medical financing at Live Oak Bank, Lindsay Harkey ’09 is the Distinguished Young Alumna of the Year. She serves on the Good Friends of Wilmington Board, the Junior League of Wilmington and is president of the Alpha Delta Pi Alumnae Association. She has also volunteered with the Brigade Boys & Girls Club, Nourish NC, Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry and chaired New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation’s 20th Pink Ribbon Project.

Wilmington native Donald E. Godwin ’69 was honored as the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. Chairman and CEO of the Executive Committee of Godwin Bowman & Martinez, he has been consistently ranked as one of the “Top 100 Super Lawyers in Texas” and “Top 100 Lawyers in Dallas-Fort Worth.” He returned to his alma mater to deliver the keynote address to Cameron School of Business graduates in 2017 and most recently as a speaker in the 2018-19 Chancellor’s Distinguished Lecture Series.

Director of donor relations for New Hanover County Parks and Gardens, Janine Powell ’88 is UNCW’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year. She serves the Wilmington community in a variety of roles including past president of the Cape Fear Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals; board member for the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History and Wilmington Health Access for Teens; and volunteer for World Central Kitchen, Welcome Home Angel, Cape Fear Garden Club, Willie Stargell Foundation and the Rape Crisis Center. Powell serves UNCW as a member of the Friends of UNCW Board and is a UNCW Society member.

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