First day of classes for Wilmington College, September 4, 1947

Wilmington College began as a temporary college center under the Division of Extension at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1946. After the passage of a public referendum in March 1947, Wilmington College gained the local support and property tax levy to earn permanent status. On September 4, 1947, Wilmington College officially opened. Classes were held in New Hanover High School from 4 to 9 p.m. Reportedly, over 200 students enrolled, and there were 17 faculty members. Due to segregation, Wilmington College did not admit or enroll Black students. Williston College opened for African American students on the same day at Williston Industrial High School with 6 part-time instructors and 26 students. The New Hanover County Board of Education operated both colleges. (See From These Beginnings: Wilmington College, 1946-1969).

Admissions application for Wilmington College

List of students registered at Wilmington College, 1946-1947

 ©Copyright Wilmington Star News, September 4, 1947

"We Just Growed Up" plaque

9/11: Reflecting on a Decade commemorative programming was organized by a UNCW graduate student and held on September 9, 2011. More than 1,500 UNCW students, faculty and staff came together on Hanover lawn to create a representation of the Twin Towers and the Pentagon in remembrance of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The participants held up the names of the 2,977 victims of the 9/11 attacks. Photographs of this event were taken from a bucket truck and the event garnered recognition in the local press.

The university announced the establishment of the Wilma W. Daniels Distinguished Lecture Promoting Diversity & Tolerance on August 23, 2012. Former NBA star and successful businessman Magic Johnson was named keynote speaker.

Mr. Johnson spoke to a packed audience of local middle schoolers and college students in Trask Coliseum on October 11. The lecture was part of a week-long celebration and study of diversity.

Wilma W. Daniels, chair of the UNCW Board of Trustees and local businesswoman, funded the inaugural lecture as a gift to the university. The Wilma W. Daniels Lecture Promoting Diversity & Tolerance series is an ongoing partnership between the Daniels family and UNCW.

Magic Johnson event in UNCW Board of Trustees meeting minutes, October 26, 2012

NC Teachers Legacy Hall at UNCW

On August 18, 2003--when the Education Building was still under construction--UNCW leaders shared plans for the NC Teachers Legacy Hall with the media and public. At a news conference, Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo recognized three donors for their generous contributions. The donors were Grace Burton, Cooperative Bank, and Progress Energy.

Legacy Hall, housed in the atrium of the Education Building, honors P-12 education and teaching excellence in the state. It was planned as a museum of dedicated to the history of the teaching profession in North Carolina.

Find information about planning and opening the Education Building:

UNCW Campus Communique

UNCW Magazine – Fall/Winter 2003

UNCW Magazine – Spring 2005

Connections – The Magazine of the Watson School of Education—Spring 2004

Spotlight on Legacy Hall Fundraising

Legacy Hall Desks in 2008

Legacy Hall Donors in 2008

“Living & Education: Costs” in the archived Seahawk student newspaper