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The Seahawk

The news site of UNC Wilmington

The Seahawk

The news site of UNC Wilmington

The Seahawk

UNCW’s first dance marathon a success

Caroline Logan | Intern April 22, 2013

Pi Sigma Epsilon, the marketing fraternity on campus, hosted UNC Wilmington's first ever dance marathon on Saturday, April 20, raising approximately $7,500. The dance marathon was coordinated by junior...

Children encouraged at STEM exposition

Rachel Huber | Contributing Writer April 20, 2013

Rockets were launched, roller coasters were built, and robots were operated by children at UNC Wilmington's STEM Expo on April 19.The STEM Expo, which was hosted by the Watson College of Education, was...

Josh Proutey remembered as hearings begin

Emily Evans | News Editor April 16, 2013

This April, reactions to Cape Fear Community College student Joshua Proutey's untimely death are everywhere.  The first of many hearings for his murder began April 9 for one of Proutey's shooters, Quintel...

Sexual offenders close to campus

Joseph Lowe | Staff Writer April 15, 2013

There are over 50 sexual offenders living within a three mile radius of UNC Wilmington's campus; nine live on Racine Drive alone.                        

Universities are areas of a city that sexual offenders are not banned from, including the land around and close to campuses.  Communities across the nation have successfully banned sexual predators from areas frequently populated by children; 23 states have banned them within certain vicinity (based on state law) around elementary schools and playgrounds.

It is difficult for paroled sexual offenders to find a place to live-it can be a risk for a landlord to offer them a lease, and with a criminal record it is challenging to find a job.  However, it is easier to find a place to live around college campus. Economically, the rent is more variable and the landlords are more willing to take that safety risk.

UNCW Chief of Police, David Donaldson assured the UNCW police are doing all within their jurisdiction to prevent dangerous occurrences.

"I don't believe North Carolina has addressed any restrictions for sexual offenders on campus," Donaldson said. "I also have not been notified of a registered sexual offender on UNCW's campus. However we are here to help with any issues that arise."

In 1990, the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act was signed, stating students and faculty can see crime statistics and data for their university among request. In other words, universities must provide their community with a list of sexual offenders, if asked.

According to North Carolina General Statute 14-208, each convicted sexual predator is required to register at their local sheriff's department and notify their workplace or university of their sexual offender title.  Registration includes their full name, alias, date of birth, sex, race, height, weight, eye color, hair color, driver's license number, and home address.

Often the information is available but not publicized, so if students want to know if sexual offenders are in residence around them, they check on their own accord. Several universities have sexual registry sites stating offenders attending school on their campus or in close vicinity. 

 "Safety is my first and most important issue when choosing housing", said UNCW student, Alexa Sterling, "People should really be notified of what type of people they are living and attending school with."

Currently, no universities in North Carolina are pushing for sexual predators to be banned from college campuses. In addition, UNCW has no registered sexual offenders living on campus. However, with the sexual predator rate in the state at 19,631 and counting, it is always within good reason to stay aware of your surroundings.

Sex trafficking climbing in the Port City

Alyssa Stern | Contributing Writer April 14, 2013

North Carolina may not be the first place that comes to mind when it comes to sex trafficking, but Calyn, a student in Wilmington, knows from experience that the danger exists. Her last name has been...

Non-Traditional student senator position goes unfilled

Rachel Huber | Contributing Writer April 14, 2013

 The position of non-traditional senator, who acts as a representative for about 20 percent of students at UNC Wilmington, will remain unfilled until the fall, when the Student Government Association...

Interfaith Diversity Conference unites Christians, Muslims, and Jews

Pam Creech | Staff Writer April 14, 2013

Scholars of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism visited UNC Wilmington to share their enthusiasm for religious studies with students, faculty, and community members April 11 through 13. The Frank Hall-Megivern Interfaith...

Elections over, UNCW students decide next year’s SGA

Emily Evans | News Editor April 8, 2013

The election for student body vice president had to be decided by a run-off, but in the end, Brett Pinnix was the last one standing. Pinnix, a freshman studying exercise science, will serve under president-elect,...

UNCW head fundraiser to retire

April 5, 2013

 

Mary Gornto, The University of North Carolina Wilmington's Vice Chancellor of University Advancement, announced that she will retire July 15th. After loyally serving the university for 12 years, Gornto has decided to step down for several reasons.

"I turned 65 recently, but this wasn't a set year I thought I would retire. I feel that I either need to retire now or commit to another 7-8 years for the next upcoming university fundraising campaign-and I didn't believe that I could commit to another 7-8 years," said Gornto.

"Also, my grandchildren are growing up. I don't want to miss the important things," said Gornto.

Chancellor Miller will seek to find Gornto's successor immediately. His decision will have to be ratified by President Ross, the president of the UNC system as well as the Board of Governors. Sentimentally speaking on her feelings about leaving UNCW, Gornto described it as an outstanding and unique place.

"It's very bittersweet. It's been a joy and a privilege knowing so many unbelievable people. Leaving the people is going to be the hard part. Not having to wear hose and high-heels every day will be the good part," said Gornto.

As UNCW's Vice Chancellor of Advancement, Gornto is responsible for all private fundraising that the university pursues, with the exception of the athletic department, which operates as a separate entity. The athletic department has a major gift officer whom reports to her regularly.

Gornto is also a part of Chancellor Miller's senior leadership team who runs the overall administration and management of the university.

Private fundraising for the administration is different than the athletic department in that the office does little event fundraising. Gornto and her staff works to develop long-term relationships with donors and pursue major gifts of $25,000 and up. She explained that there have been gifts of up to several million from individual donors.

Gornto begins the process by identifying potential donors and qualifying them as a potential resource, exploring their affinity to the university. After the relationship is cultivated and a sense of what is of interest to the donor is established, the donor is solicited through an "ask."

Emphasizing the importance of stewarding donors, Gornto explained the important of keeping donors engaged and motivated to want to make a difference at UNCW.

"If you can get a donor to make a gift three times, then they are yours to lose. Because they saw the value of their first gift, they made a second gift and they were pleased with the impact it had. Now they are engaged and committed. If you steward them properly, you are going to have a good relationship," said Gornto.

There are studies that show that donors who make a significant gift (a million dollars or more) will do so after being involved in donating for 20 years, according to Gornto. This study supports the importance of creating that long-term relationship.

In order to maintain positive relationships with donors, there are a number of ways UNCW honors those who give a gift. Thank you notes are always given. If the donation is significant, the donor may be asked to a press conference to announce the gift. Donors may be invited to serve on a board and they may get their name listed on a plaque.

"Even just visiting with them is important. Calling them on the anniversary of their gift to let them know- I don't know if you remember you gave on this day last year but I just want to let you know what a difference it has made" said Gornto.

There is an annual scholarship dinner held wherein all donors and students who have received scholarships are invited. This way, students who have benefited from scholarships get to meet the individuals who are helping provide them with an education.

"We find that the students love meeting the donors. Here's this person who doesn't know them and is helping them get their education. I get goose bumps even thinking about it," said Gornto.

Whether it is financial need or merit-based, if students have worked hard and are trying to excel, scholarships serve as a way to recognize hard working individuals, explained Gornto.

Donors typically choose where their money is allocated. Depending on their interests or the program in which they were an alumni, donors may give to that specific program. Donors can establish the scholarship in their own name, in memory of someone, or in honor of someone. They also select the criteria-whether it is a merit or need based scholarship.

"The only restriction is that the donor can not pick the recipient," said Gornto.

UNCW has 400 total scholarships available to students, which have been established by donors. This number is double what it was in 2006 when the last campaign began.

The goal of the campaign was to raise $65 million in addition to raising awareness about UNCW programs, and to motivate donors. The campaign exceeded its goal, raising 66.5 million and ending 11 months earlier than planned.

With the campaign, not only have the number of scholarships doubled, but $1.25 million has been added to the distinguished professor fund. Distinguished professors are nationally or internationally recognized individuals in their field, who are recruited by UNCW to teach. This process not only makes UNCW a more attractive and prestigious university, but ensures quality faculty for the benefit of students.

Apart from the big name donors, the senior class giving is a growing program. In 2000 the senior class raised money to buy the clock tower. Now, the university is allowing seniors to give money and choose where it goes, allowing students to feel that their gift has a personal meaning.

Approximately 25% of faculty give back to UNCW through donations. Because UNCW did not start growing as a university until the 90s, the university has a very young alumni, explained Gornto.

During the campaign, alumni accounted for 25.1% of donations. Corporations accounted for 21.8% of donations; friends (community members but not alumni), foundations, and parents account for the remaining gifts.

For someone who came to UNCW with no professional fundraising experience, Gornto has made an extraordinary impact. Previously the city manager of Wilmington, Gornto was recruited by the Chancellor at the time, Jim Leutze to become the next Vice Chancellor of University Advancement.

" I told him I didn't think there was anything I was qualified to do at UNCW. I came in with no professional fundraising experience. I really do have to credit two of my colleagues the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and the Assistant Vice Chancellor at the time who accepted me, were very supportive of helping me learn the university and helping me learn the higher education fundraising field, " said Gornto.

Prior to her position with UNCW, Gornto was involved in fundraising initiatives which included chairing a large endowment campaign and serving on the board supporting the cancer center in Chapel Hill.

"So I had some familiarity with fundraising from a volunteer standpoint. I was also on the executive advisory board for The Cameron Business School. So I knew a little bit, but a very little bit as it turns out," said Gornto, laughing.   

Despite her original hesitance, with Gornto's direction, UNCW's endowments, annual giving, major gifts, and network of relationships have all flourished under her direction over the past twelve years. She has faith that the next fundraising campaign will be as successful, if not more than the previous.

"We have a fantastic staff and some really strong professionals at UNCW. I hope that whoever succeeds me has the same love and passion for UNCW that I have," said Gornto. 

Out-of-state students suffer high costs

Gabriealla Pantalena | Copyeditor April 5, 2013

Elizabeth Stone mailed four tax forms this year. They were filled out neatly, put into four different white envelopes, and mailed to four different places: the federal government, and the state governments...

Meet the next student body president

Lori Wilson | Staff Writer April 2, 2013

UNC Wilmington students cast their online ballots last week and they have officially made their pick for president.Zach Steffey, the current junior class senator, won 53 percent of the student vote-beating...

UNCW settles case with family of slain student

Joseph Lowe | Staff Writer March 29, 2013

Correction: The original article said the New Hanover County Police Department was involved with the case however, it was the New Hanover County Sheriff's office.The family of Peyton Strickland has settled...

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