Happy 2012 Homecoming UNCW!!!

(For other posts from our celebration of UNCW Week, please see our blog at http://hiexwilmington.wordpress.com/our-blog )

Good morning everyone!!!

The title says it all today – it’s Homecoming Day at UNCW!!! This annual celebration is important to alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, future students, and the Wilmington community! The University shines in its teal, gold, and navy school colors during this celebration of what it is to be a Seahawk – in the past, in the present, and in the future.

While we’re talking about Homecoming, let’s also discuss the University’s outreach efforts. I said in the previous paragraph that Homecoming is important to future students and the Wilmington community – now we’ll give you one tidbit about how that is. If you’ll be in town today, be sure to check out the Annual Homecoming Parade from 4:30-5:30om this afternoon! Everyone is invited to attend this event and learn about Seahawk Pride!

UNCW offers the younger members of our community the opportunity to learn alongside UNCW students and faculty members through various programs. The most exciting one (to me, at least!) is a program called MarineQuest. MarineQuest is a year-round program that offers everything from opportunities for students on field trips to learn about the ocean and marine biology, to opportunities for interested young people age 5-17 to attend summer camp at UNCW with a major focus of their time spent on learning about all things water-related!

The Center for Leadership Education and Service is the office responsible for coordinating things like student volunteer opportunities within the community and the development of students’ leadership skills. The University knows that there’s more to a student’s education than just time spent in the classroom and with books and the CLES cultivates another large part of what a student’s University experience should contain. Graduating seniors are even asked to take the Graduation Pledge, in which they promise to continue their involvement with civic activities after graduation!

The final cornerstone of the University’s outreach program is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. This program seeks to provide senior citizens age 50 and over the opportunity to learn about a variety of topics from UNCW’s staff. The current course catalog for the OLLI can be downloaded here or picked up at the OLLI building at 620 South College Road. My favorite part about this initiative is the Adult Scholars Leadership Program, where community members are provided with current insight to market conditions and trends, as well as opportunities for enhanced civic involvement through an intensive and dynamic learning session that class members are hand-chosen for.

We’ll leave our discussion of UNCW’s Outreach programs there for the time being. If you’re interested in becoming involved with the University in a non-student track, please check out the Outreach Department’s web site for more comprehensive information about their activities. Tomorrow, we will conclude UNCW Week with a post about Arts & Music programs on campus.

Again, HAPPY 2012 HOMECOMING to all!

Regards,

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wilmington – University Center