Arely Ramirez Diaz '19
Distinguished Young Alumna of the Year
Since her days as an undergraduate at UNCW, Arely Ramirez Diaz ’19 has advocated for marginalized groups.
As a United Nations Youth Delegate, Diaz lobbied for the need for quality education and refugee and immigrant rights. In 2019, she interned for the United States Senate and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, where she presented a research project on issues preventing adequate healthcare for the Latinx community.
As a mentor through the UNCW’s Centro Hispano Embajadores program, Diaz motivated youth to pursue a higher level of education and supported their transition from high school to college.
Today, her work focuses on voting, inclusivity and providing resources to the Latinx community. In her role as a paralegal at Helen Tarokic Law PLLC, she assists in the areas of immigration and naturalization and serves as a victim-witness advocate.
Diaz was presented the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and Star News “40 Under 40” Award for her impactful work in the community. She was also a “Rising Star” finalist for WILMA Magazine’s Women to Watch Awards. She is a member of the Latino Alliance of Southeastern North Carolina, a volunteer organization that serves the Hispanic/Latino community. Diaz graduated from UNCW with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
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Jean and Eddie Lawler
Distinguished Alumni of the Year
Jean and Eddie Lawler embody the Seahawk spirit through their service, leadership and teamwork.
Longtime supporters of university, the couple has given their time and financial support. Both have been involved with the Seahawk Club for decades, with Jean serving as the Seahawk Club president in 1995-96. Her involvement with UNCW Athletics earned her the William J. Brooks Distinguished Service Award in 1999. Eddie, a U.S. Navy veteran and an associate with Intracoastal Realty, is a former UNCW Alumni Association board member.
Their community service extends beyond the university. The Lawlers were instrumental in establishing “Enchanted Arlie,” where both were inaugural chairs. Jean has been a North Carolina Azalea Festival volunteer for more than 50 years, and in 2017, served as president of the festival. In 2018, she was named “Volunteer of the Year” by the International Festival and Events Association. Eddie is an NC Azalea Festival emeritus member.
Jean, the advertising director at Wilmington International Airport, is also active in the World War II Wilmington Home Front Heritage Coalition and served as the volunteer coordinator for four Honor Flights of World War II veterans. She is the Wilmington Downtown Inc. Board of Directors secretary and a member of the CFCC Wilson Center Advisory Board.
The Lawlers’ contributions to the broader community are extensive, including their work with the Hanover Seaside Club and the New Hanover High School Alumni Association. The couple was the recipient of the DAR Award for Excellence in Community Service and was presented a resolution of appreciation by the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners for their “Enchanted Arlie” volunteer service.
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Dr. Lolita B. Bryant, DNP, MSN-NE, RN '04, '11M
Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Lolita Bryant’s contributions to UNCW go beyond her role as an alumna and faculty member in the College of Health and Human Services School of Nursing.
She has also supported fellow Seahawks as a mentor and donor. Recently, she established the Dr. Lolita B. Bryant, Abram Bishop and Family Endowed Scholarship for Diversity in Nursing to honor her great-great-grandfather, Abram Bishop. His former homestead was once located where UNCW’s Trask Coliseum now stands.
Dr. Bryant received the UNCW School of Nursing Outstanding Alumni of the Year Award in 2010 for her commitment and contributions to the university. In 2011, she received the UNCW Graduate Student Achievement Award. She was recognized by the Gardner-Webb University Hunt School of Nursing during its celebration of National Nurses Month in 2020.
Her volunteer service includes past member of the UNCW Alumni Board of Directors, past president of the UNCW African American Graduate Association and past chair of the Alumni Scholarship and Awards committee.
Dr. Bryant serves on the Postpartum Depression Task Force, is the coordinator for Postpartum Support International for New Hanover and Brunswick Counties and is a member of the Cape Fear Garden Club, where she has served on the diversity and inclusion, “Birds and Butterflies” and scholarship committees. She has also served on numerous committees at Novant-New Hanover Regional Medical Center during her 38-year tenure at the hospital.
Dr. Bryant is a clinical instructor in UNCW’s School of Nursing and a patient safety coordinator at Novant-NHRMC. She received her associate’s degree in nursing from James Sprunt Community College and her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from UNCW. In 2020, she completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Gardner-Webb University.
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Chris Montero '12, '16M
Distinguished Diversity Award
For more than a decade, Chris Montero ’12,’ 16M provided leadership to UNCW in alumni relations, diversity and inclusion, and advancement.
During his tenure as Centro Hispano’s MI CASA program coordinator, Montero worked to increase the number of Hispanic students attending college. In 2017, Montero and Centro Hispano director Edel Segovia received the John L. Sanders Student Advocate Award, the highest honor bestowed by the University of North Carolina Association of Student Governments, for their advocacy and contributions to North Carolina’s students.
The White House also recognized them in 2015 for efforts to support Latino educational attainment and excellence and meaningful contributions to expand and support the educational outcomes and opportunities for the Latino community.
Montero was presented the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and Star News “40 Under 40” Award for his impactful work in the community and is a member of the 2022 class of Leadership Wilmington. He serves on the board of directors of the Latin American Business Council. Montero has also served as a member of numerous organizations and boards, including the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education, North Carolina Diversity and Inclusion Partners and the Women’s Resource Center Board Member.
Other recognitions include UNCW Communication Studies Alumni of the Year, Outstanding UNCW Staff and the Centro Hispano Successful Latino Award.
Montero holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and a master’s degree in higher education from UNCW and is the founder and co-owner of Perfect Touch Rental LLC.
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