In a Time of Thanks, We Salute Our Seahawks

This time of year, when the thermostat begins its daily dance and the the sun has already clocked-out before your drive home, we begin thinking about the festive holiday events approaching.

Students digging in at the Wagsgiving feast
 UNCW/Erin Bailey

Remember when you were a student and would spend today recovering from over-eating at Wagsgiving and would count down the days to school break? What kind of holiday traditions have you began since your last stroll down Chancellor's Walk?

Each year, at this time, we take the opportunity to share about alumni who are daring to soar; alumni who don't settle for average and are willing to create a path for themselves and foster opportunities for others. We invite you to meet them in the blog posts through November.

Thanksgiving is about more than filling yourself with turkey and trimmings and fighting the ambush of holiday music that fills the airwaves, inevitably too early. It's about sharing what you are thankful for, and for us, we're thankful for our 60,000 Seahawks around the globe. 

Young Entrepreneur Corey Heim '06 to Speak at CSB Alumni Breakfast Series

Corey Heim ’06, co-founder of DryCASE, is the youngest alumnus to date chosen to speak at the Cameron School of Business Alumni Chapter Breakfast series. Based on his career experience, Corey will be presenting on “The Power of Ideas and Entrepreneurship” with other co-founder, Dr. Roy “Arch” Archambault.

Before becoming a successful entrepreneur, Corey graduated with a B.A. in Spanish and B.S in International Business. “A marketing class with Professor Wes Berlin was the first time I had a professor that was telling stories from real life experience about business and the ‘art of the deal’.” Corey said, reflecting on his time at UNCW and how it has influenced his profession.  Later on, during his involvement with the Cameron Executive Network, he was “paired with a mentor that helped me nail an internship that eventually led to my current business.”

Since 2007 Corey has been serving as Chief Operating Officer of Dry Corp, LLC. Dry Corp is a medical distribution company headquartered in Wilmington, NC that sells waterproof body protection for wound care, casts, bandages, prosthesis, PICC lines and Ostomy in over 32 countries.

In the summer of 2009 he became co-founder of DryCASE, a company that uses patented vacuum seal technology to make waterproof cases for phones, cameras and MP3 players. Since its conception Corey has helped to make DryCASE a recognized and world distributed brand in outdoor/consumer electronic markets.

The CSB Alumni Breakfast series is open to both alumni and community members. It will be held Tuesday, October 23 and $5.00 tickets can be purchased online prior to October 18.

UNCW Alumni Relations/Caroline Robinson, Intern

Charlotte Alumni Chapter's First President Becomes Member of UNCW Board of Visitors

In the fall of 2010, Charlotte area alumni established their first official UNCW Alumni Chapter. The dedicated efforts of Robert Abbotts ’85, played a big role in making this happen. Robert was the chapter's first president, willing and eager to get alumni in the area reconnected with their alma mater. Now he has been appointed as a new member of the UNCW Board of Visitors, serving as an advocate for the university’s mission, accomplishments and goals for the future.

“Staying involved makes me feels as though I never really left,” Robert said. Along with embracing his new volunteer role, Robert remains an active part of the Charlotte Area Alumni Chapter by serving on the Steering Committee. Although he resides in Charlotte, Robert and his family still attend events on campus and feels a sense of community pride for the growth of UNCW.

“In Charlotte traffic, I get a big kick out of when fellow alumni, or current students, react to the UNCW sticker on the rear window of my car. That always makes my day,” he said.

The love Robert has for UNCW began when he visited campus for the first time. “Everything intrigued me; the history of the university, the town of Wilmington, proximity of the coast, everything,” explains Robert.

Robert’s time at UNCW formed the foundation of his career in Public Service. One of his professors, Dr. Earl Sheridan, further enhanced Robert’s lifelong interest in the American political process. He reminisces about Dr. Syed Ahmad stating, “That man was a genius at running a classroom. I not only looked forward to going to his class, I didn’t want it to end – he was that good.”

Upon graduating, Robert began working in the private sector and later in the government sector which he is currently working for. Robert declares he found his “true calling” working with the NC Medicaid Program, assisting the states’ aged and disabled citizens.

Fellow alumni in the Charlotte area can reconnect at the Charlotte Alumni Chapter Fall Dinner, which Robert has witnessed the impact of since starting this event three years ago. He is looking forward to seeing fellow alumni at the event on Thursday, October 18, at the Charlotte City Club.

UNCW Alumni Relations/Katherine Wroblewski, Intern

Alumna Makes a Career out of a Passion

Alumna Mary Thomas ‘90 began playing golf at just 12 years old. She grew up in Southern Maryland, where changing seasons allowed her the opportunity to pursue many different sports. Her father taught her the game right out of their backyard. “He was an aerospace engineer, and tried to figure out the crazy game of golf. Now that’s what I do! Ironic,” she said.

Also ironic, Mary chose UNCW, not for its golf program, but for its widely renowned Marine Science department. Drawn to the academic reputation, small class sizes, and beautiful campus, Thomas made the decision to attend UNCW. The golf program was merely a bonus. “I wanted to try to play [golf] at school if possible, but a larger school would not have offered me the opportunity,” she said.

Mary walked on to the golf team, and earned a partial scholarship after her freshman season. Her golf skills grew, as did her passion for the game. “I pursued my education and grew as a golfer along the way.” Throughout her UNCW golf career, Thomas remained committed to her academics. “It was a challenge, especially as a golfer when missing multiple classes for tournaments. But academics came first,” she said.

Members of the 1990 UNCW golf team reunite.
Left to Right: Christina Jazkowlski-Geiger '91, Mary Thomas '90,
Paige Cribb '90, Laura Covington '91

Mary’s UNCW golf coach encouraged her to pursue her golf career. “I played professionally for almost two years. I found I improved, but it was not the way I would earn my living. I enjoyed being around the game and the people I met. My goal changed; I wanted to see where the game would lead me next,” she said.

Now the Head Golf Professional at the Greensboro Country Club, Mary is bringing the game of golf to new players. “There are incredible rewards. Wonderful relationships develop with your customers, you help someone learn to play the game or play better and enjoy it more. You create recreation in a world that needs it.”

In her spare time Mary also serves as a member of the UNCW Triad Area Alumni Chapter Steering Committee. “I have always been a proud Seahawk and enjoy meeting other alumni. The school gave me a great opportunity and I want to pay it back. I have enjoyed learning firsthand what is happening at UNCW during our meetings,” she said.

Mary is excited to network with other area alumni at the upcoming Triad Chapter Fall Reception, where Chancellor Miller will speak on the state of the university. “I look forward to being with other alumni friends and making new ones. The common background of UNCW is a great intro into making new friends and networking in general,” she said.

UNCW Alumni Relations/Shannon Rodenheiser '11

Announcing New Alumni Chapter Leaders

The Alumni Association has nine alumni chapters and groups which are represented by dedicated volunteers. Chapters which are led by Steering Committees have an executive leadership that serves two-year terms. The association is excited to welcome Brad Barbour '02, '03M; Jensen Caudle '05; Jenna Curry '08 and Virginia Teachey '09 as our 2012-2013 chapter leaders.

Brad Barbour '02, '03M at a past
Triangle Alumni Spring Mixer

Brad Barbour '02, '03M is the owner of TRC Staffing Services in Raleigh. An example of his professional networking expertise was shared on the alumni blog in July. After working in public accounting as an auditor for five years, Brad realized what he really enjoyed was recruiting, networking events, business development and the time he spent with CSB during on-campus recruiting activities.  Brad has been on the Triangle Steering Committee since its inception in 2008.

Jensen Caudle '05 is a graduate of the Cameron School of Business.  He is currently the Assistant Vice President and  Commercial Banker at North Carolina Bank and Trust in Charlotte and volunteers on the Town of Harrisburg Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.  He has served on the Charlotte Steering Committee since it’s inception in 2010. Find out more about Jensen from a past blog post.

Jenna Curry '08

Jenna Curry '08 received her  degree in Communication Studies and has remained in Wilmington. She is a partner at Little Wing Marketing, an Internet Marketing firm. In 2009, Jenna founded Port City Young Professionals, a networking group for professionals in their 20s and 30s. She has been a mentor to Communication Studies students in the Project Protege program, supervised interns and been a guest speaker for the Communication Studies Alumni Panel and Capstone classes.

Virginia Teachey '09 has been associated with UNCW since 1987 where she volunteered, attended numerous trainings, workshops, and conferences. She has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, director, and mentor. Virginia also serves as a member of the NHC Library Board and as Vice President of the Master Gardener Association while mentoring groups of aspiring Master Gardeners and teaching 4-H students.

Alumna Heads to India to Fight Sex Trade

Megan Keels '08 has a goal. She has a vision. She has passion. (She's a Seahawk, of course she does!)

Drawing from personal experiences, Megan has a desire to help people who can't always help themselves. While earning her degrees in sociology, she learned about problems people faced across the globe. One that she couldn't look past was the issue of human sex trafficking.

While reading "Half the Sky," Megan learned about Apne Aap Women Worldwide, whose focus is ending sex trafficking in India. Reading about the issues facing women in this part of the world motivated Megan to reach out to the organization. She found that they needed help in an area of their operations that perfectly suited her acquired skill set: collecting, analyzing and reporting on the most recent data surrounding the trade.

Remembering what a fellow UNCW classmate told her, "to be physically present in a place (as a volunteer) is indispensable," confirmed Megan's decision to head to India; a trip that she will be making next month.

To prepare for her six-month stay, Megan has contacted past volunteers and frequently communicates with a current volunteer to inquire about their lives in India. She put together a website which talks about the issues and the support she needs for the trip. She is looking forward to the experience and "becoming an integral part of a volunteer project that will truly make a difference in the world."

UNCW/Crystal George

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