NCW toda
news from UNC by the sea
Vol. VII, No. 1
AUGUST, 1982
Seahawk Sets Sail for Science
The Lady Ellen, an 80-foot shrimp trawler
seized for drug smuggling on its first run in
1978, has been rehabilitated. The boat is now
the R/V Seahawk. a scientific research vessel
acquired by UNCW in 1979.
The university received a one-million-dollar
grant from the National Oceanic and Atmos
pheric Administration (NOAA) in 1980 and
immediately began to refit the boat for under
water research. Her christening in May, 1982,
marked the completion of the $630,000 renova
tion. The Seahawk is now in the more respec
table profession of underwater scientific
research for UNCW’s SURF program (South
eastern Underwater Research Facility).
After a shakedown cruise in July, the Sea
hawk has begun a series of scientific research
expeditions along the East Coast of the United
States. The crew will work on projects dealing
with fisheries, marine pollution, sea floor pro
cesses, diving physiology and safety, ocean
dumping, and dredge spoil disposal.
The Seahawk is fully equipped with elec
tronic communications and navigational equip
ment, as well as modern professional diving
gear and underwater support systems, includ
ing an open diving bell. With its own air
supply, the diving bell can serve as a tempor
ary "home” for divers while they work on the
ocean floor 165 feet below the surface.
From the beginning, SURF was meant to
involve the entire Southeastern region of the
United States, according to Dr. Gilbert W.
Bane, UNCW professor of marine sciences and
project administrator. To do this, the SURF
program operates under the direction of the
Southeastern Consortium for Underwater
Research (SECURE). Besides UNCW, other
SECURE members are Duke University, the
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the
Research Triangle Institute, the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources, South
Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources, the
North Carolina State Ports Authority, Cape
Fear Technical Institute, National Marine
Fisheries Service, North Carolina Division of
Marine Fisheries, Old Dominion University,
Harbor Branch Foundation, and Florida Sea
Grant.
SURF and other regional programs of
NOAA in the Virgin Islands, Southern Cali
fornia, and Hawaii are part of a national effort
that supports various submersible vessels.
Last year, NOAA scientists in a submersible
vessel discovered valuable underwater depos
its of strategic and precious metals.
With a little luck and plenty of skill, the
Seahawk can make its own mark in the world
of underwater research.
■I
Crew members make last-minute preparations to the
Seahawk, making her ready for her first trip in July.
Eaton Receives
Honorary Degree
Dr. Hubert Eaton, chairman of the board of
trustees of UNCW for 1981-82, received an
honorary doctor of science degree from his
alma mater, Johnson C. Smith University in
Charlotte, North Carolina, last spring. This
honorary doctorate recognizes outstanding
accomplishments in contemporary society.
The award was presented during commence
ment ceremonies in May.
Hunter Enjoys
New Role In
Development
In December, 1981, Dr. Jairy C. Hunter, vice
chancellor for business affairs at UNCW, was
named vice chancellor for business affairs and
development. Since then. Hunter and Tyrone
Rowell, director of development services, have
directed the development office's fund raising,
public relations, alumni affairs, publications,
community service, and
communications activ
ities.
Just what is devel
opment? According to
Hunter, “It promotes
the University’s pro
grams, services and
mission in whatever
way it can. Public rela
tions is an aspect of
development. So is fund
raising—collecting private funds and seeking
any type of support for the University.”
Under the direction of Hunter and Rowell,
last year UNCW mounted a campaign to raise
$400,000 to air condition Trask Coliseum. “We
have had strong support from the community
thus far,” said Hunter. “As of mid-July, we
have raised about 80 percent of what we need
to complete the job. We’ll continue our cam
paign until we have all we need.” Construction
is expected to be completed in plenty of time
for the 1983 Azalea Festival in Wilmington and
other events scheduled for next summer.
Hunter has been UNCW’s chief business
officer for the past four years. He is a member
of the faculty in the School of Business Admin
istration and serves as treasurer of the UNCW
Foundation, Inc. and the Endowment Board.
Bowen Takes Charge as Alumni Affairs Officer
UNCW now has a full-time alumni affairs
officer. W. Frank Bowen, a six-year member of
the Alumni Association’s board of directors,
took over the job July 1.
Many alumni probably already know
Frank. Since his graduation from UNCW in
1974, he has been active in the Alumni Associ
ation and its contributions to the university.
He has been a member of the association’s
board of directors since 1976, and has been
treasurer twice. Frank also has been chairman
of the membership committee as well as a
member of the scholarship committee and var
ious social committees of the Alumni Associa
tion.
“My enrollment at UNCW fostered a com
mitment to the school,” said Frank. “I was
proud to be a student and I’m proud to be an
alumnus. I’m also proud to be able to give back
to the university some part of what I expe
rienced here as a student.”
Tyrone Rowell, director of development
services and Frank’s new boss, explained that
the university needs to better cultivate its
more than 5,500 alumni of record. “Alumni are
very valuable ambassadors of good will, as
evidenced by the growing numbers of students
coming here from states other than North
Carolina,” said Rowell. “Establishing this full
time position is a service our alumni deserve,
and Frank Bowen can certainly do the job.”
As alumni affairs officer, Frank will act as
executive director of the Alumni Association
board of directors and coordinate volunteer
efforts of the association. He also will direct
the alumni annual fund; plan, develop and
implement new and existing alumni programs;
and expand the statewide network of UNCW
alumni support through development of local
chapters and other activities.
“Up to now, we’ve been a fledghng Alumni
Association,” said Frank. “And it takes time to
learn to fly. However, as the university grows
we have greater alumni resources to draw on.”
Frank knows the ins and outs of the UNCW
campus. He’s been an employee of the univer
sity since 1974, first in continuing education
and, for the last five years, as an admissions
counselor. But his interests have always been
with the alumni.
“UNCW doesn’t forget its alumni just
because they’ve received their diplomas,” he
said. “And we want them to remember us as
well. The university is proud of its alumni.
They can show their pride in UNCW through
their support of and active participation in the
Alumni Association. Our success depends on
their support.
“It’s my job to make sure more alumni real
ize that.”