July 5, 2023 | Sarah Fetters
Connection. Community. Momentum.
Those three words describe today’s UNC Wilmington and its Alumni Association Board of Directors.
After two years as Board Chair, Alison Baringer '04 (above, left) had her term conclude with Vice Chair Stephania Bloodworth '00 (above, right) taking over on July 1. The two formed a close friendship during the last three years and are looking forward to watching the alumni board flourish.
To Baringer, her time on the board, including as Chair, was like a second stint as a Seahawk student 13 years later.
When she joined the board in July 2017, the campus itself had undergone a drastic transformation from when she was an English and communication studies major. Being a member of the board allowed her to learn about UNCW’s new buildings and programs and make new friends.
“I only knew one person on the board when I started,” Baringer said. “I really got to know new people, see their perspectives and learn what their UNCW and professional experiences were like.”
Like Baringer, incoming Chair Bloodworth credits her time as the African American Graduate Association President as critical to her development and board involvement.
“That period was probably the most important time for me to learn UNCW,” Bloodworth said.
“I attended events before serving as President, but meeting with other African American alums and trying to get them involved was huge for me.”
Those connections and relationships were critically important to both when Bloodworth transitioned to the alumni board and Baringer was serving on the alumni board’s executive committee. UNCW was going through its own growth and change during that time.
“Our time was during COVID-19,” Baringer said. “We were the first alumni board to hold a meeting on Zoom. I'm so proud of being able to navigate those years and keep our friendships and camaraderie.”
During the summer of 2020, Bloodworth was brought in to serve on the Renewal and Change Accountability Committee by Dr. Donyell Roseboro, the university’s interim Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at that time.
“As part of the committee, we met with UNCW students,” Bloodworth said. “All of us were trying to figure out how we could collaborate. It was very difficult to continue to navigate and engage African American alums. But we have leadership today that is on board and gets it.”
With Chancellor Aswani K. Volety, ex-offiicio member of the alumni board, set to enter his second school year, conversations and connections have helped UNCW move forward and emerge with positive momentum.
“March’s Installation of Chancellor Volety was huge for our university's growth,” Baringer said. “It was inspiring to bring him home again after he served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. I want to see what new directions he might take us in.”
“I am excited to see his vision on paper,” Bloodworth said of Chancellor Volety’s direction for the institution. “I feel like it will prepare UNCW for the future. To have Chancellor Volety’s unwavering support is crucial. The best phrase I can think of to describe UNCW right now is, ‘moving forward.’ The work that is being produced now will pave the way for a bright future.”
Bloodworth, who served on the UNCW Chancellor Search Committee, and Baringer await the enacting of UNCW’s new strategic plan under Chancellor Volety’s leadership, which was presented to the alumni board for input.
“Part of Chancellor Volety’s strategic plan will highlight the importance of community and how we can engage the community we talk about,” Bloodworth said.
That charge and focus on connections and community will be a central emphasis for Bloodworth as Chair.
“It all goes back to our mission,” Bloodworth said. “Our purpose is to connect and involve our alumni and promote the university. We will strive to engage people to come back and visit campus. Whether it is through volunteering to speak during CSB [Cameron School of Business] Business Week, mentoring a student or attending other alumni events, there are many possibilities.”
Passing the gavel to new Chair Bloodworth.
For the next year, Baringer will remain on the board as Past Chair and proudly watch the possibilities, connections and community continue to grow and develop.
“We're moving forward, and it's all positive,” Baringer said.
From one Chair to the next, Seahawk pride and momentum show no signs of slowing.