Education in Southeast North Carolina

Hathia Hayes retired from UNCW's Watson School of Education in 2006, after over thirty years in the department. After joining the faculty of the Department of Education in 1976, Dr. Hayes served as Department Chair for 11 years and played an instrumental role in many aspects of the developing Education program, including the Education Lab and the master's program in Elementary Education. Dr. Hayes also worked to obtain grants to improve the practicum semester for Education majors, to develop and sustain relationships between the department and the public school system, and to foster many other programs within the Watson School of Education. Aside from the wealth of information regarding the School of Education, this interview with Dr. Hayes includes discussion of other esteemed former and current faculty members, as well as her reflections on the distinct character and unique qualities of UNCW as a whole.

Eleanor Wright discusses her career and background in this two-tape interview, which took place during her third year in the phased retirement program. Dr. Wright began teaching in the School of Education in 1975. Her specialty is special education. In tape, 1, Dr. Wright describes her experiences establishing the bachelor's degree program in special education at UNCW; her time as department chair (1991-1996); and her 2 years as Associate Dean of Watson School of Education. She also discusses completing her Ph.D. in 1983 while working full-time.

Dr. Paz Bartolome discusses her career as a professor of education at UNC-Wilmington. Dr. Bartolome came to UNCW in 1970 and is in her last year of phased retirement. She was born in the Philippines and arrived in the United States in 1973. She discusses teaching college students in her specialty areas of language arts education and early childhood education. For five years in the early 1970s, Dr. Bartolome directed the Child Study Center at UNCW, and for 19 years she owned the Little Red Schoolhouse, a daycare and preschool center in Wilmington.

Mrs. Betty Holden Stike reflects on her career in this visual oral history interview. She taught in the North Carolina public schools for 24 years and then at UNCW from 1964 until 1985. Mrs. Stike taught elementary education and supervised student teachers. She remembers working for a small department; in fact, she was the second faculty member in education. The other faculty member was the chair of education, Harold Hulon, who hired her. She discusses William Madison Randall, Madeline Wagoner, Helen Hagan, Dorothy Marshall and others who were influential to the life and history of Wilmington College and UNCW. Mrs. Stike earned a master's degree in education from East Carolina. (Mentioned when cameras were off: Her father founded/owned Holden Beach. He was killed during Hurricane Hazel, while outside doing storm.)

Interview with Elizabeth Miars, principal of Rachel Freeman Elementary School and recipient of UNCW's Razor Walker Award.

Interview with Georgeann Haas, who serves as the Supervisor for Arts Education for New Hanover County Schools. Here, she discusses the state of arts education in New Hanover County, her own experience teaching art at the secondary level, and the future of art instruction.

Interview with Bertha B. Todd who was the first and last librarian at Williston High School. She discusses her career in education and librarianship in Wilmington, as well as her role in community service and race relations. Following integration and the closing of Williston, she transferred to Hoggard High. Mrs. Todd intervened to prevent riots during integration.

Interview with Wayne Moore and Benjamin Wonce who talk about the events that lead up to the boycott of New Hanover County Schools in February 1971. Both men participated in the boycott. Moore was arrested and was a member of the group known as the Wilmington 10. Wonce was not arrested but testified for the defense at the trial of the Wilmington 10.

Jim Medlin graduated from New Hanover High School in 1950 and then attended the two-year institution Wilmington College. He studied pre-engineering. In this interview, he discusses the professors, extracurricular activities, and traditions in place at that time. Medlin is currently active in the alumni association, which has raised money for a Wilmington College commemorative scholarship and a historical marker.

This 3rd interview with Dr. Bellamy focuses on the integration mandate and impact on the local schools. His memories include HEW, School Board, busing, fire bombings, suspensions, and public input.