UNCW Welcomes the Class of 2016

Students helping with Move-In
UNCW/Jamie Moncrief

Ready or not, they’re here! Saturday, more than 1,900 volunteers were on hand to help over 2,000 new students move onto campus at UNCW. With nearly one volunteer for each incoming student, it was one spectacular welcome!

Admissions had a particularly difficult task in selecting the class of 2016. Undergraduate admissions received 12,500 applications for approximately 2,000 first-year spots. Those interested students who applied represented 48 states and 52 countries, including China, Singapore, Germany, Nigeria, Switzerland, Korea, Brazil, Ghana, United Kingdom, Canada, and many others. The only two U.S. states applications were not received from was North and South Dakota.

Class of 2016 Flag
UNCW/Jamie Moncrief

The office of admissions expects that 2,070 freshmen will enroll for fall courses, though official numbers will not be available until after the drop/add period ends on August, 29. Those students expected to enroll have an outstanding average SAT of 1175, average ACT of 24, and an average weighted GPA of 3.99. Twenty-nine percent were in the top 10 percent of their high school classes, and 85 percent reported UNCW as their first-choice university.

Of the incoming freshman class, 258 are legacies of UNCW. A legacy is any student who has a sibling, parent, or grandparent that attended UNCW. These students will be honored for making UNCW a family tradition in an invitation only pinning ceremony. The ceremony will be held as a part of the university’s Family and Alumni Weekend, September 21 through 23.

UNCW Alumni Relations/Shannon Rodenheiser '11

Class of 2016 Convocation UNCW/Jamie Moncrief

Family & Alumni Weekend 2011 Highlights Video

Alumni and families of current students came to campus to participate in Family & Alumni Weekend on September 23-25. The university hosted nearly 30 events that showcased the UNCW experience, including social gatherings, musical performances, academic discussions, tours and recreation. Alumni attendees included the first students of Wilmington College in 1947 to our most recent 2011 graduates.

Family & Alumni Weekend 2011

Alumni of all ages, family and friends are invited to celebrate the UNCW experience on September 23 & 24! Make plans now to take advantage of hotel discounts and pre-registration benefits!

New for 2011, Wrightsville Beach will be swarming with teal on Saturday, September 24 at the UNCW Alumni Day at the Beach. Pack your blanket and cooler and come join us! Worried about parking? Pre-register to enjoy a convenient trolley ride. Guests will relax on the sand with games, snacks, refreshments and live jams from Sai Collins! Matt Glova '07 shares, "This is going to be one of most popular events of the weekend!  I have attended several alumni events at UNCW since I graduated and this is one that you will not want to miss!".

“I loved my time at UNCW." reflects Matt Hinnant '95. "As an alumnus, I have been jealous of friends from other universities who get together every season for a football game.  Well, now we have our chance!  We don’t have football, but we do have the BEACH! I plan to make this an annual tradition and hope my Seahawk friends will too."

During the weekend's festivities, two special groups will also be honored. On Saturday morning, the Golden Wing Society Reunion will be held for alumni who attended Wilmington College 50 or more years ago. They'll share stories as they savor a delicious brunch and then take part in trolley tours around campus, seeing the newest developments for current UNCW students.

Late in the afternoon, alumni whose families are making UNCW a tradition are invited to the annual Legacy Pinning Ceremony. Those who have a sibling, son, daughter, parent or grandparent who are attending UNCW this fall as a new student will treasure the heartfelt ceremony and opportunity to meet other Seahawk families.

The weekend's activities also include a Music Department Alumni Concert & Reception, Seahawk Athletics, Kayak Tours and more! Take a look at the full schedule and share the news with friends!

Bloodlines of Teal, the Seahawk Legacy

UNCW has become a tradition for many families. Sharing teal pride as UNCW imprints its legacy on their family. Each year, the alumni association invites freshmen and transfer students, along with a parent, grandparent or sibling who attended UNCW, to join us for the Legacy Pinning Ceremony to celebrate generations of Seahawks.

Among those we honored last year, Susan and Rachel Smyer have a twist on the traditional legacy. Rachel was able to experience the honor of pinning her mother, Susan, as her academic legacy. "I am her biological legacy. So getting to pin her as my academic legacy was an honor. She has always been there for me, no matter what and getting to honor her this way was a big deal not just for the two of us, but for the rest of our family as well."

Rachel Smyer '07 came to UNCW as a transfer student after attending community college. Like many students, she instantly fell in love with the university on her first visit. Rachel graduated with a degree in Communication Studies and now works with the Cape Fear Museum. "UNCW has been good to me, and I feel that it has helped me to grow monumentally as a person. Because of my experiences at UNCW I have learned to trust in my abilities. I studied abroad in Swansea, Wales and I am contemplating getting my Masters Degree in English at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland."

Soon after Rachel began classes, her mother, Susan, made the decision to extend her education and attend UNCW as well. "It took me 35 years to get from New Bern Senior High School to UNCW, but I got here." Through her professors and classmates, she learned that it is never too late to go back to school.  “I learned that knowledge is fun and began to see things from a different point of view.” In 2010, Susan graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Communication Studies and has plans to work towards a master's degree in Liberal Studies.

The mother and daughter team enjoy visiting campus to watch movies at Lumina Theatre, having coffee with friends in Randall Library and attending alumni events to meet new people. Rachel adds, "Even though I have graduated, I still feel a part of the UNCW family.".

Share Your Memories for the Alumni Beach Day Video!

Johnnie Mercer's Pier, MOI, Surfing Before Class, K-38, 4-wheelin', Friends with Beach Houses, Fishing on the South End Jetty, .....Your Story Goes Here!.... Crystal Pier, Mad Monk, Blockade Runner, The Crest, Catching rays behind the Dunes, Studying late at Pizza Hut on WB....


On UNCW's campus you worked hard, chatted with professors and helped remind your roommates to get to class on time (or they were the ones reminding you!). What about during your downtime? Days without classes and breaks between semesters?

We want to hear about your memories on the southeastern NC coast! What was your favorite hang-out? Where did you always bring out of town friends when they came to visit? When school had you stressed where would you go to unwind?

Post your favorite photos and videos on the Alumni Facebook Page by July 8 for a chance to be included in the Video!!

Share this with friends and to see what old photos they can dig up too!

Family and Alumni Weekend 2010 Enjoyed by Seahawks of All Ages!

Alumni and families of current students came to campus from all over the country to take part in Family & Alumni Weekend on October 15-17, 2010. The university hosted 25 events beginning on Friday and wrapping up on Sunday. Alumni in attendance ranged from the first graduating class of Wilmington College in 1947 to our most recent 2010 graduates. The UNCW Alumni Association focused on three key events: The Golden Wing Society Reunion, Legacy Pinning Ceremony and Young Alumni Reunion.

The graduates of Wilmington College were invited to join their fellow classmates for a brunch on campus. From the classes of 1947-1960, over 30 graduates attended to celebrate achieving and exceeding the milestone of a 50 year alumni status. Classmates reunited and discussed fond memories of their college days. Following the brunch was a student guided trolley tour of UNCW’s campus.

The honor of being a UNCW student was celebrated with many families during the Legacy Pinning Ceremony where over 100 people gathered to commemorate making UNCW a family legacy. Whether it was a sibling, grandparents or parent that attended UNCW, many different legacy students were in attendance. Terry Cottle ‘84 and wife Cynthia ‘85 pinned two of their daughters at the ceremony. Terry explains that the ceremony, “[gave] us a lot of pride and satisfaction when we had the opportunity to share with others that like myself and my wife, two of our three daughters also are attending UNCW.” Terry and his wife both knew that they could count on UNCW to be wonderful college experience for their daughters because they had enjoyable experiences themselves.

Over 100 alumni from the classes of 2000-2010 came back to campus Saturday evening for the Young Alumni Reunion. Lindsay Hushe ‘09 explained that she “loved seeing friends that attended school with me but also individuals that graduated before I did. It was interesting and gave me a sense of pride being a Seahawk to hear other graduates share their stories of success, experiences and where they are currently.” Lindsay also explained that she loved the music by the band Machine Gun. The drinks were flowing, the hors d'oeuvres were enjoyed and Seahawks danced the night away in the company of their classmates.  The class of 2010 celebrated their 10 year milestone and the class of 2005 celebrated their 5 year milestone.

Take a look at photos from the event and see what’s coming up next  for alumni!

Registration now open for Family & Alumni Weekend 2010!

This fall, alumni, parents and friends are invited to UNCW Family & Alumni Weekend. Held on October 15-17, the weekend will includes a ton of activities both on campus and around Wilmington. 

The Young Alumni Reunion is for the classes of 2000 through 2010 and is a party featuring live music from Machine Gun with dancing, hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer. Haven't seen the old Bookstore turned into the Burney Center yet? Well now's your chance to experience the inviting ballroom, set up like a local lounge, while you hang out with friends and reminisce about days at UNCW.  Have little ones? Complimentary childcare will be provided down the hall from the event!

The Golden Wing Society Reunion celebrates those who have been alumni for 50 or more years. The classes of 1947 through 1960 will enjoy brunch on Saturday in the Madeline Suites before boarding the trolley for a student guided tour on campus. This is a great opportunity to scope out the new buildings and hear what the Seahawks of today are doing on campus.

Honoring our alumni and incoming students who are making UNCW a family tradition is the purpose of the Legacy Pinning Ceremony held on Saturday afternoon. Alumni who have a child, grandchild or sibling currently attending UNCW will celebrate their family tradition and the bond that makes them all Seahawks.

Other weekend events include an Alumni & Parents Welcome Reception to kick things off on Friday night, Midnite Madness, kayak tours around Masonboro Island, tours of Screen Gems Studios and so much more! Space is limited at some events and tickets do sell out, so be sure to register early!