UNCW has plans for a unique addition to the latest building being constructed on campus. A North Carolina Teachers Legacy Hall will be created in the new Donald R. Watson School of Education building. Given the fact that UNCW is ranked the seventh top college in the South by “U.S. News and World Report,” UNCW has a responsibility to maintain a reputation of excellence. This will be the first hall of its kind designed to honor teachers and contributions to education over the past century in this state. The Legacy Hall will be named after the late Jay Robinson who dedicated over 50 years to education. The hall is designed to be a three-story atrium located within the education building. The $1 million Jay Robinson Memorial Education Campaign is spending $600,000 to help create the Legacy Hall in the new education building. The remaining $400,000 will be used to fund teacher scholarships. Harris Teeter also recently gave UNCW money for the hall. “The money given for naming opportunities will fund scholarships and the building of the Legacy Hall, a museum-like hall of fame honoring educators from all over the state,” said Cathy Barlow, the dean of the Watson School of Education.

“Naming buildings after donors is nothing new at UNCW. But this is the first time the university has itemized a building room by room in advance of gifts,” Ty Rowell, the vice-chancellor for university advancement said.

The new Donald R. Watson education building is scheduled to open in the fall of 2004. It will have over 80,000 square feet of space. Bond money will pay the $18 million cost of constructing the building. Gifts from donors will also help to pay for this building.