Lifelong educators Bill Bolduc and his wife PJ Kirschner Bolduc ’00M have always believed that students learn best by doing. Whether it’s producing a documentary overseas or presenting at a national conference, those hands-on experiences often shape a student’s path long after graduation. Now, through the creation of the William J. Bolduc and Pamela Kirschner Bolduc Award for Global, Environmental and Ethical Media Production, more UNCW students will have access to those opportunities.
“We’ve always believed in paying it forward,” PJ said. “This university has meant so much to our family, and we wanted to do something meaningful for students who are ready to do something bold.”
The Kirschner name, honoring PJ’s parents, is included in the title of the award in tribute to their example. “They were incredibly generous people who valued education deeply,” PJ said. “They established several scholarships in Illinois, and we wanted to carry that legacy forward in a way that honors who they were and what they stood for.”
For Bill, who retired in 2023 after nearly 30 years on the UNCW faculty, the award is both a reflection of his time at the university and an extension of his lifelong investment in student opportunity. After earning his Ph.D. in mass communication from Florida State University, he came to UNCW as faculty in 1994 and helped develop what would become a nationally recognized media production concentration within the Department of Communcation Studies. Looking back on his career, Bill describes an evolution from building a curriculum and securing basic equipment, to fostering a culture of creative excellence and collaboration.
“At the start, it was about establishing the foundation,” he said. “But by the end, it became about raising the bar, helping students create work that was meaningful and truly outstanding. And more importantly, making sure they had the support to do it.”
Over the years, Bill has led student media teams to places like Belize, Paris, Wales, and Ireland, mentoring dozens of aspiring storytellers along the way. He recalls one particular student, Parker Hall, whose short documentary Scrappy Dappy won Best of Festival at the Broadcast Education Association. “It was a brilliant piece of storytelling,” he said. “Parker was able to travel to Las Vegas to accept his award thanks to assistance from the Communication Studies Department. That’s the kind of opportunity we hope this fund will make possible for more students in the future.”
The Bolducs intentionally structured the award to be flexible, so it could support a range of learning opportunities. Whether it’s travel for a conference presentation, environmental storytelling, or an international documentary project, the focus remains on giving students the means to take their education further.
“This is about removing barriers,” Bill said. “If a student has a big opportunity, whether it’s research, recognition, or creative work, they should be able to go for it.”
Now in retirement, the Bolducs see this endowment not as a conclusion, but a continuation. “We’re proud of what we’ve done,” Bill said. “But we’re even more excited about what students will do next.” He hopes others will consider giving back in their own way.
“Not everyone can create an endowment,” he said. “But giving doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful. It could be your time, your insight, your encouragement. Whatever you give, give it with purpose.”
For the Bolducs, that purpose has always been students. Through the Bolduc-Kirschner Award, their legacy of generosity, education, and impact will continue to shape student journeys for years to come.
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