_{Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo presents a gift to Chris and Bert Abrons at the Abrons Student Health Center dedication. UNCW / Jamie Moncrief.}

Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo joined Chris and Bert Abrons and guests to dedicate the Abrons Student Health Center on Tuesday, May 22, 2007. The Wilmington couple established a planned gift that will provide the university with $1.5 million.

Bert and Chris Abrons donated $100,000 to UNCW to fund premium payments on a $1.5 million life insurance policy. The UNCW Division of Student Affairs is the beneficiary of the policy.

Dr. Bert Abrons is a local physician in private practice who has worked at UNCW Student Health. His wife Chris (MALS 2005) and their daughter Rachel (BSW 2005) are UNCW alumni. 

Until 2011, DePaolo Hall was named Westside Hall. The building opened in 1970 and was extensively renovated in 2005.

First UNCW Commencement in Air-Conditioned Trask Coliseum, May 14, 1983

Thanks to a fund-raising project, commencement got a lot cooler.

Trask Coliseum was constructed in 1978 and it did not get air conditioning until 1983. State policy prohibited the use of state funds for air conditioning in sports coliseums. Private donations paid for the $385,000 project. Fundraisers included a chowder contest and a Hank Williams Jr., benefit concert.

The speaker for the 34th commencement program--the first one with air conditioning--was distinguished educator Dr. Stephen J. Wright. He was the first African American commencement speaker at UNCW. Renowned artist and founder of the art department, Claude Howell, received the honorary doctorate.

Read more:

May 1983 commencement program

Chancellor Wagoner honors donors to Trask air conditioning fund, Seahawk newspaper, Feb. 10, 1983

William Brooks is inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, May 6, 1993

Coach William J. ("Bill") Brooks (1922-2010) was the first Seahawk in the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Brooks retired in 1991 following a 40-year career at UNCW. He garnered many honors for his success as athletics director and coach. He is the namesake for Brooks Field.

Photo (right): Gwen Culbreth, Brooks. Undated photo.

Photo (below): William Randall, Brooks in 1960.

Read more:

"Brooks Inducted into NC Hall of Fame." Article in Campus Communiqe newsletter for UNCW faculty and staff, May 13, 1993

The Wise House and Kenan House on Market Street are UNCW-owned properties and gifts from the Kenan family. Mr. Kenan is part of UNCW pre-history, since the college did not open until 1947--the year after his first memoir was published.

Mr. Kenan resided in Lockport, New York during most of his adult life. He wrote a series of memoirs (entitled Incidents by the Way: Lifetime Recollections and Reflections). The last one was published in 1958. Mr. Kenan died in 1965.

In 1980, the UNCW Pub hosted UNCW's first annual Seaside Jam in support of Save the Whales.

The Jam, which featured hot musical trends of the time, continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s as a popular Spring event for UNCW students and Wilmington residents. By 1984 the Seaside Jam was held as a part of “Spring Week” on UNCW’s campus, and no longer had a connection to Save the Whales. This transfer, in conjunction with bans on alcohol, moved the Jam from Brooks Field to Trask Coliseum, and lack of funding for entertainers brought about a decline in attendance to the later Seaside Jams.

Seaside Jams in the 1980s and 1990s:
 

Seaside Jam I – April 26, 1980: Featured 3 bands, a helium-filled Sperm Whale, professional Frisbee team, paratroopers, and booths set up by the clubs on campus.

Seaside Jam II – April 25, 1981: Featured musical groups Le Roux, Choice, and the Rob Crosby Group. Female mime duo Mainely Mime, and Dr. John’s World Champion Frisbee Show.

Seaside Jam III – April 24, 1982: Featuring musical guests Sugarcreek, 3PM, and Cirkus.

Seaside Jam IV – April 23, 1983: Featured a Save the Whale Lecture on April 19^th by Paul Watson.

Seaside Jam V – April 14, 1984: Musical performances by Sleeper, Gene Cotton, and Tony Carey. 

Seaside Jam VII– Part of “Spring Week” – April 19, 1986: Featured musical guest Inn-O-Vation.

Seaside Jam VIII – Part of “Spring Week”– April 25, 1987: Featured musical guests Cruis-o-matic and Zipper.

Seaside Jam IX– Part of “Spring Week” – April 17, 1988: Featured musical guests Freedom of Expression and Innovation.

Seaside Jam – Part of “Spring Week” – April 26, 1997: Featured South Carolina band Cravin’ Melon, Far Too Jones, and Freemason.

Seaside Jam – April 18, 1998: Featured musical guests George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars.

For more information on the Seaside Jam see articles in the The Seahawk.