You're invited! 

Support our student writers and artists (while enjoying free food)!

Join us on Thursday, April 18th, at 6:00 pm in the Randall Library Sherman Hayes Gallery for a reading and reception in honor of the contest's winners, honorable mentions, and contributing artists. Copies of this year’s anthology will be available for free as well! This program is an NEA Big Read event, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

CONGRATULATIONS to this year's FlashLit competition winners!

We had a record number of entries this year, so it was an EXTREMELY tight competition! Many wonderful pieces simply could not be included due to space limitations, but we are excited to announce our top three winners and honorable mentions:

• First place "Among the Stories" by Megan Eesley
• Second place: "William Madison Randall Library: Databases by Subject: Biology: Gray Bat Collection (Myotis grisescens): 2052" by Emalee Gross
• Third place: "Drowning in Stars" by Alexandra Bonin

Honorable mentions (alphabetical by last name):

• "Us Girls" - Kyle Alderdice
• "Just Embrace It" - Camille Bliss
• "Something About the End" - Nathan Bogart
• "He Suddenly Stopped for Me--" Nitya Venkata Bundamagunta
• "The Young Heartbreaker Sees Raptors" - Marah Hoffman
• "Girlhood" - Autumn Kepley
• "The Waiting" - Charlie Kingree
• "The End Draws Near" - Samantha Perrien
• "Eastward of Eden" - Aileena Rush
• "An Ending" - Robert Selden
• "Down the Mountain" - Yaakov Smith
• "With Love, The End" - Kate Stray
• "Old World" - Issy Thompson
• "Flowers Are Growing in Antarctica" - Kit Vale
• "A Daily Dichotomy" - Katelyn Walbourne

Mark your calendars for the reading and reception (with refreshments) at 6 pm on Thursday, April 18th!

Calling all student writers!  Randall Library’s annual writing contest, FlashLIT, starts NOW!

This year’s theme is “THE END.”

This theme was inspired by the selection of Andrew Krivak’s book The Bear as the Big Read book for this academic year. The Bear takes place in an unspecified future when one girl and her father are the only surviving remnants of humanity and follows the girl’s journey to survive in nature, and her relationship with a large bear that becomes her companion. The Bear explores themes of Edenic post-apocalypse, survival skills, human relationships with the natural world, isolation, and of course, endings. We encourage you to reimagine the theme creatively, and entries will benefit from engaging with it in unique or unexpected ways. All genres—in both fiction and non-fiction—are welcome. Works must address this year's prompt and also somehow incorporate Randall Library, whether as a setting, a character, a reference, or something else entirely!

FlashLIT is a hallmark of applied learning at UNCW where the entire student body is invited to participate. This is a writing competition where contestants have two weeks to write 500 words (or less) in any genre of writing.

The top three winners are awarded monetary prizes (applied to student accounts through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid).  First prize - $200.00; Second prize - $150.00; Third prize - $100.00.  The three winners, along with selected honorable mentions, will be published in an anthology.  Students in ART 273: Digital Illustration will be illustrating all entries, so it is truly a cross-campus applied learning production.

FlashLIT Contest Rules

If any of these rules or formatting guidelines are not followed, your submission will be automatically disqualified.

• Must be a UNCW student, currently enrolled.
• 500 words or less.
• Must relate to the theme THE END.  Must mention Randall Library.
• Submissions due by Friday, February 9th at 5:00 p.m. EST.
• One entry per student.

Formatting Guidelines

Double spaced, 12 pt., Times New Roman, 1-inch margins on all sides.

• Use one tab to indicate every paragraph indent.
• Section breaks should be notated by (***).
• Turn off all auto-formatting features (such as automatic paragraph indenting, outlining, bullet points).
• Enter only one space after terminal punctuation. If you used two spaces, search/replace to update your file.
• For dashes, use em-dash character with no space on either side, or use two hyphens, and we’ll search and replace the em-dash during typesetting.
• For any special characters or glyphs, such as trademark symbols, accents, or irregular punctuation, please note them by highlighting them in yellow. If you'd like to include a special character or a glyph but you don't know how to set it, please submit a hard copy of your story with specific instructions for the placement and type of special character to be inserted.
• Files should be saved and submitted as follows: lastname_firstname.docx.
• Submit a .docx version of your submission via the form here.

NOTE: Edits and revisions will NOT be allowed after submissions, nor will the publisher have time to check your work.  Take care that your piece is fully edited and perfected before submitting.

NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Critical Information Literacy Immersion Program Cohort!

6 UNCW faculty have been selected for the first cohort of the Critical Information Literacy Immersion Program. As part of this year-long immersive experience, faculty will explore critical information literacy and the ACRL Information Literacy Framework for Higher Education; gain practical ideas for infusing critical information literacy in their teaching; work closely with their liaison librarian on information literacy concepts; and generate curriculum-based projects that integrate these concepts. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a plaque and recognition as a Critical Information Literacy Scholar.
 

The 2024-2025 cohort of CILIP includes:

• Regina Felix, World Languages & Cultures
• Lucas Layman, Computer Science
• Chris Stuart, Communication Studies
• Liz Timbs, History
• Stephanie Turrise, Nursing
• Yiyi Yang, Communication Studies
   

This program is co-sponsored by Randall Library and the Center for Teaching Excellence. Learn more about this program and information literacy at Randall Library here: https://library.uncw.edu/instruction.

Congratulations to Melissa Story, the 2024 recipient of the Anne Pemberton Research and Creativity Award on her research titled “UNCW(hite): The Kenan Family, White Supremacy, and the University of North Carolina Wilmington”

UNCW senior Melissa Story, a double major in History and Art History with a minor in Women's and Gender Studies, is set to present her research at a conference this April. Story's work focuses on the relationship between UNCW and the Wilmington Massacre of 1898, along with the ongoing legacy of structural racism within the institution. Story's undergraduate studies have centered on interrogating power structures and white supremacy. Her History Honors Thesis delves into the connection between UNCW and the Wilmington coup d'état, aiming to understand how these events continue to shape the university's demographics. Her research interests extend to Reconstruction, the history of incarceration in America, and the development of American capitalism. Additionally, her Art History Honors Thesis explores the work of Wilmington artist Minnie Evans. Story examines Evans' connection to the 1898 events and the commodification of Black women's bodies, which she argues suppressed Black female creativity. Story will utilize some of her award money to prepare for the upcoming conference and plans to return to the Southern Historical Collection at UNC Chapel Hill's Wilson Library to continue her research. Following graduation this spring, she will pursue a Master's degree in Public History at UNCW.

The Anne Pemberton Student Research and Creativity Award Committee is pleased to announce that applications for the 2024 award are now open. Please see the award page on the library website for details and how to apply. Deadline: February 16, 2024.

The award is given in recognition of an outstanding research, scholarly, or creative work in any academic discipline by an undergraduate student or students that addresses one or more of the following areas: mental health; wellness; mindfulness; substance misuse or recovery; social justice; antiracism; or diversity, equity, and inclusion. The winning entry will receive $500 funded by UNCW Randall Library’s Anne Pemberton Student Research and Creativity Award fund.

Join Randall Library and Cape Fear Games for a (gently) apocalyptic tabletop roleplaying game session (and food!) on Saturday, March 16th, 11:30-4:30! We'll be playing The Quiet Year, a game in which you work with other players to world-build in the post-apocalyptic setting of your choice. You'll be creating a map and telling the story of a community surviving just after the collapse of civilization, responding to event cards and adding to your resources to try to prepare for the end of the game--the arrival of the mysterious Frost Shepherds.

This part of the year's Big Read programming is inspired by the Big Read selection The Bear by Andrew Krivak. Participants will receive a free copy of The Bear and are encouraged to read it. At the end of the event, once everyone has shared their maps and the stories their communities went through, we'll talk about how our own in-game experiences of community, isolation, and existing in relation to the natural world aligned with the themes from the book.

Participants must register in advance, with a max capacity of 20 people.

Sign up here to save your spot, get a free copy of the book, and join us on the 16th for gaming and food!

Details

The Quiet Year tabletop gaming event

Saturday, March 16th, 11:30 am - 4:30 pm (unless we finish early!)

Azalea Coast Room A, upstairs in the Fisher Student Union
4855 Price Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403
 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Eva Sclippa (sclippae@uncw.edu) or Sam Zelick (zelicks@uncw.edu).

NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Randall Library has been selected as the recipient of the American Library Association (ALA) Library Instruction Round Table’s 2024 Innovation in Instruction Award. This prestigious national award was given in recognition of the innovative partnership between the library and University College to develop an embedded and scaffolded four-part information literacy curriculum for First Year Seminar and Transfer Seminar (UNI 101 and 201) and that partnership’s contributions to the development, advancement and support of information literacy and instruction. This project was led by Brittany O’Neill, Information Literacy Librarian, and includes team members Sam Zelick (Randall Library); Jennifer Sias (Distance Education and e-Learning);and Kelsey Axe, Kate Morgan, Rob Tripp, and Jenny Whitney (University College). The award includes a $1000 cash award, a $500 travel stipend to be used to attend the 2024 ALA annual conference, and a plaque.

Join us at Retreat at Randall every Wednesday starting March 6th to contribute to Mandala In Harmony, a collaborative art project, by selecting a spot on the mandala to fill in. The project continues weekly until completion. This project aims to build community, well-being, and belonging. Add your personal touch to the community mandala and be part of a shared artistic experience. All supplies are provided. Don't miss this chance to make your mark! This passive program is open to UNCW students, faculty, and staff. See Participation Guidelines below.

Designed by Gina Marie Jasionowski, UNCW Grad Student

Participation Guidelines

• Choose an unfilled spot on the mandala for your painting.
• Fill only one spot to allow everyone a chance to contribute.
• Pick a paint pen from the provided colors; use only one, no mixing.
• Roll up sleeves and secure hanging items to avoid accidents.
• Be cautious with hand placement; avoid direct touching.
• Use provided rags and wipes for cleanup if needed.
• Clean up your area when finished.
• Scan the QR code to share your information (name, UNCW status, major/department, anticipated graduation for students).
• Most importantly, have fun! You're part of something great!

Contact Chris Robinson at robinsoncl@uncw.edu if there are accidents, questions, or if items need to be restocked.

The Critical AI QEP large team is hosting a virtual panel on critical artificial intelligence with visiting scholars Lauren M.E. Goodlad, Wendy Wong, and Derek Curry on Thursday, March 21 from 2:00-3:15 pm. This panel discussion is sponsored by the Seahawks Advancing Interdisciplinary Learning (SAIL) QEP. The event is open to the entire UNCW community. Registration is required.

Register at: lib.uncw.edu/critical_ai_registration

Panelists:

•     Dr. Lauren M.E. Goodlad, Distinguished Professor of English, Rutgers University (https://criticalai.org/).
•    Dr. Wendy Wong, Professor of Political Science and Principal’s Research Chair, University of British Columbia (https://www.wendyhwong.com/books#we-the-data).
•    Dr. Derek Curry, Associate Professor, College of Arts, Media and Design, Northeastern University (https://derekcurry.com/).

Africana Studies Research Symposium
Monday, March 25, 2024
University of North Carolina Wilmington

Events are open to the UNCW Community—faculty, students, and staff. No registration needed. Please feel free to attend events as your schedule allows.

DAYTIME EVENTS
To be held in the Azalea Coast Rooms in the Fisher University Union

9:00-10:30 am Opening Remarks and Research Lightning Talks by UNCW Researchers (group 1).

Light breakfast will be provided.
Faculty and staff from across UNCW will highlight their exciting research initiatives and projects related to Black studies. 

Presenters: Professors Osku Backstrom, E. Britt Moore, and Valentino Rahming

11:00am-12:00 pm Panel Discussion: Blackness and Digital Scholarship

This panel will address some of the opportunities, challenges, and processes involved in producing digital projects and research related to Black individuals/groups. 

Moderator: Digital Scholarship Librarian John Knox
Panelists: Professors Maia Butler, Addie China, Julius Jones, Elizabeth Timbs, and Tara White

1:00-2:00 pm Faculty Resource Fair: Research, Publication, and Teaching  

This event is specifically intended for faculty and staff.
Join support offices from campus and beyond to learn more about getting published, enhancing your instruction, and finding funding for your research endeavors. 

2:00-3:00 pm: Editors/Authors Panel Discussion: Breonna Taylor and Me: Black Women, Racial Justice, and Reclaiming Hope book

Editors and contributors to the book Breonna Taylor and Me: Black Women, Racial Justice, and Reclaiming Hope will discuss the message, relevance, and process of this essential forthcoming text. 

Panelists: Emmanuel Harris (moderator), Julia Lynch, Keryn Vickers, and Angela Douglas

3:30-4:30 pm: Research Lightning Talks by UNCW Researchers (group 2)

Faculty and staff from across UNCW will highlight their exciting research initiatives and projects related to Black studies.

Presenters: Professors Dorcas Dennis, Allison Harris, Scott Juall, Julia Morris, and Breea Willingham

EVENING EVENTS

5:00-6:30 pm Pre-Keynote Networking Reception for Faculty, Staff, & Students
Clock Tower Lounge in Fisher Student Center

Food and drinks will be served.
Come dine and network with folks from all over campus before our evening keynote lecture! 

6:30-7:30 pm Keynote Lecture by Dr. Sherwin Bryant, Rice University  

Lumina Theater in Fisher Student Center

Dr. Sherwin Bryant will join us in Lumina Theater to speak about what it means to effectively connect local and global Black scholarship in our current moment, bridging research across time, culture, and location. Dr. Bryant is the new Director of Rice University’s Center for African and African American Studies and an Associate Professor. His vast body of research has explored topics from the lives of African-descended peoples in the Pacific Lowlands of South America to the history of Black communal formation in Brunswick County, North Carolina.

Those who would like to inquire about access or request disability accommodations may contact Kiana Webster at websterk@uncw.edu.  

This symposium is co-sponsored by Randall Library, the Office of Research & Innovation, the College of Humanities, Social Sciences, & the Arts, and the Office of Institutional Diversity & Inclusion.