A Fresh Start Becomes a New Beginning

Matt Glova ’07 was looking for a fresh start when he came to UNCW but he was really beginning a new chapter of involvement and leadership, as a student and as a future alumnus. Because of Matt, thousands of alumni are able to attend multiple events in the Triangle area.

Michigan-born and raised, Matt didn’t know a soul in North Carolina but he was looking forward to the change of scenery when he moved to Wilmington in 2004. He dove head-first into the UNCW community – in addition to his studies he joined a number of academic clubs and then Kappa Sigma fraternity – where he held multiple leadership positions.

The summer before his senior year, Matt had a “welcome to the neighborhood” party at his new house where he met his future wife, Sarah ‘08.

“I thought she was the prettiest girl there,” Matt said. “We started playing darts on an old dartboard we had hanging up and she hit the bullseye twice in a row – it was unbelievable.”

Matt and Sarah started dating, and when he graduated in May of 2007 and moved to Raleigh they became a long-distance couple. Again, Matt didn’t know a single person where he was moving so the first thing he did was reach out to the UNCW Alumni Association.

“I figured there was a big concentration of alumni in the Triangle and that it would be a good way to meet people," Matt said.

The current Director of the Alumni Association responded to Matt right away. He told Matt that there wasn’t a Triangle Chapter yet but suggested that Matt begin a formal chapter and serve as president.

“I had asked to be involved and I had a good experience in Wilmington, so I said, 'let’s do it.'”

Since becoming actively involved in 2008, Matt has served as Triangle Area Alumni Chapter President for two years, served on the Triangle Steering Committee for nine years, is currently serving on the Alumni Board of Directors, founded the Matthew D. Glova Scholarship, became a E.L. White Society member, and attended 41 university events.

“I like to know that I’m supporting the place that helped me get to where I am today, both professionally and personally," Matt said. "I met my best friends and my wife because of UNCW, so I’m very thankful and passionate about giving back.”

To all alumni, Matt says, “There are so many way to get involved. You don’t have to have huge pockets either – if every alum would donate just $25 per year, it would have a huge impact. And donating doesn’t have to be the only way – get involved with your local chapter and attend events like Homecoming and Family and Alumni Weekend.”