Awards & Scholarships

Open Nominations

Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards

The UNCW Alumni Association recognizes alumni and friends for their outstanding achievements and their service to the university and community. Award recipients are honored each year during Homecoming.

View the full list of past Distinguished Award recipients »

Nominations are currently open:

Distinguished Young Alumnus/a of the Year Nomination
  • Alumni who have graduated within the last 10 years are eligible for this award that honors individuals demonstrating commitment to the university and the association’s mission, vision and values.
Distinguished Alumnus/a of the Year Nomination
  • This prestigious award recognizes alumni who provide outstanding service to the university and have achieved distinction in their professional accomplishments.
Distinguished Citizen of the Year Nomination
  • This award honors community members who provide uncommon and outstanding service to the university.

Questions? Contact Arie Gee at (910) 962.2681 or geea@uncw.edu.

2019 Alumni Award Honorees

Lindsay S. Harkey '09Distinguished Young Alumna of the Year:
Lindsay S. Harkey '09

Lindsay S. Harkey '09 embodies the Seahawk value of service by making a difference in her community by serving on several boards, committees, and volunteering with local non-profits. Lindsay has served on the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation Committee for eight years and was the chair of the 20th Pink Ribbon Project last year. She is also a member of the Good Friends of Wilmington Board, Alpha Delta Pi Alumnae Association President, and Junior League of Wilmington. Lindsay has also volunteered with the Brigade Boys & Girls Club, Nourish NC, and WARM (Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry).

Lindsay, who graduated in 2009 with a BA in Business Administration, is currently the General Manager of Dental and Medical Financing at Live Oak Bank in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is a huge Seahawk fan and supports UNCW as an annual donor and a member of the Seahawk Club.
Donald E. Godwin '69Distinguished Alumnus of the Year:
Donald E. Godwin '69

Donald E. Godwin '69 is considered one of the most respected and tenacious trial lawyers in Texas. For more than 40 years Don has tried significant jury cases in courts throughout Texas and across the United States. Of note, Don was the Lead Trial Lawyer in the successful defense of Halliburton in connection with all civil litigation and investigations concerning BP's Macondo well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, the largest environmental lawsuit in the history of the United States. As well as being recognized as a leading trial lawyer in the United States, Don has also earned the reputation among corporate executives, their legal departments, and other highly visible individuals as a master negotiator where the risks are substantial and the future and successes of such clients are on the line.

Don, a Wilmington native, is a graduate of Wilmington College, class of 1969. Don has given back to his alma mater by serving as the UNCW Commencement Speaker in 2017.
Janine Bilodeau Powell '88Distinguished Citizen of the Year:
Janine Bilodeau Powell '88

Janine Bilodeau Powell '88 graduated from UNCW in 1988 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and has lived in Wilmington since then. Janine is the Director of Donor Relations for the Parks and gardens Department at New Hanover County, which includes at Airlie Gardens. During Hurricane Florence, Janine was an integral part of the New Hanover County emergency communications team, ensuring that the public was informed when updates were available.

Janine has served the Wilmington community by serving as the Past President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Cape Fear Chapter. She was also a board member with the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History and Wilmington Health Access for Teens. Janine has volunteered at the World Central Kitchen, Welcome Home Angel, Cape Fear Garden Club, Willie Stargell Foundation and the Rape Crisis Center.

Janine serves UNCW as a member of the Friends of UNCW Board and is a UNCW Society member.

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Professional School Awards

Cameron School of Business Outstanding Alumni Awards

The UNCW Cameron School of Business (CSB) annually recognizes alumni who have achieved honor and distinction within their professional or personal lives. The awards are presented at the CSB Outstanding Alumni event during Business Week in the spring.

Recipient Information »
 

School of Nursing Annual Alumni Awards

The UNCW School of Nursing Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award is presented annually at the Nurses Day Banquet in May. Nominees for this award must have graduated in 2014 or prior and exemplify the spirit of excellence in nursing directly working with patients, along with providing service to their community. Nomination forms are available in the spring and accepted from alumni, faculty, staff and community members.

Recipient Information »
 

Watson College of Education Alumni Awards

The UNCW Watson College of Education (WCE) Alumni Chapter recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to education and represent the commitment to excellence typified by the Watson College of Education. Nominations for these annual awards are available in the spring and accepted from alumni, faculty, staff and community members. The award is presented at a WCE alumni reception.

Nomination Form »

Recipient Information »

Vice Chancellor Leonard with student award recipient at Cornerstone Awards

Student Awards

UNCW students, staff or faculty can nominate graduating seniors for two awards presented by the association at the Cornerstone Award Luncheon in May. Visit the award website for details.

William A. Bryan Senior Leader Award

Honors members of the senior class who best exemplify the ideals of service to others, collaboration, leadership and devotion to UNCW, while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher. Recipient receives an inscribed clock from the UNCW Alumni Association.

Rachael Freeman Service Leadership Award

Honors members of the senior class who best embody the ideals of service to others, commitment to social justice and collaborative leadership. Recipient receives a cash award of $250 sponsored by the UNCW Alumni Association.

Faculty Awards

J. Marshall Crews Distinguished Faculty Award

The J. Marshall Crews Distinguished Faculty Award honors faculty who exhibit the qualities of service and leadership that Dr. Crews personified throughout his life.

Nominations may be submitted by alumni, faculty, staff, students or community members. The recipient will be awarded a $500 stipend when the award is presented at the fall faculty meeting in September.

Nominate a faculty member »

Past recipients and other faculty award winners »
 

2018 J. Marshall Crews Honoree

Jeanne Persuit

Jeanne M. Persuit
Associate Professor in Communication Studies

Learn more »

Alumni Association Scholarships

The UNCW Alumni Association annually awards more than $50,000 in scholarships funded by alumni contributions.

 
These scholarships are awarded based on academic merit to current undergraduate and graduate students as well as incoming and transfer students. To find more awards, view all donor-funded scholarships.

Teague Scholarship

When I retired, I decided at that point, that I would like to do the same thing for a student that was done for me when I was coming along. So, the A. Farrell Teague Merit Scholarship was originated.

A. Farrell Teague '54
2016 UNCW Alumni Association Distinguished Citizen of the Year


Want to get involved?


Revenue from UNCW license plates directly supports scholarship awards. Gifts to a specific scholarship can be made by searching the scholarship name on the online gift form.

To apply, visit the UNCW scholarship application managed by the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid.

For scholarship criteria, view this printable PDF.

Scholarships awarded by the Alumni Association
  • Alumni Legacy Scholarship
  • Alumni Graduate Scholarship
  • Alumni Association Bob King '66 Scholarship
  • Cape Fear Bank/John Cameron Coburn Alumni Scholarship
  • Claire Stanley Student Ambassador Scholarship
  • Gerald Shinn UNCW Alumni Association Merit Scholarship
  • Geraldine King Morris Nursing Scholarship
  • Hugh Henry Fox UNCW Alumni Association Scholarship
  • Jim A. Humphries Memorial Scholarship
  • Lewis/Wiley Alumni Graduate Fellowship
  • Mary Catherine, Susan & Elizabeth James Alumni Association Scholarship
  • Perry Daniel Lockamy Jr. '63 Memorial UNCW Alumni Association Graduate Scholarship
  • Sara Fussell Messer '66 Scholarship
  • The Alumni Association Patricia Corcoran Smith '72 Scholarship
  • Watson School of Education Alumni Chapter Scholarship
  • Wilmington College Alumni Scholarship
Scholarships established in part by the Alumni Association
  • The Betty Jo Welch Communications Studies Alumni Scholarship
  • The Denis G. Carter Scholarship
  • The Triad Alumni Chapter Scholarship

For more information, contact the Scholarships & Financial Aid Office at (910) 962.3177 or scholarships@uncw.edu.

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