Faculty and Administrators of UNCW

In this visual oral history interview, Dr. Andrew Hayes discusses his background, career, and life as a faculty member in the Watson School of Education. He and his wife Hathia came to teach at UNCW in 1976. He worked with Dean Roy Harkin to redesign the teacher education program and to develop the first master's degree program at UNCW, which was in School Administration. Dr. Hayes discusses the School's growth during his time here and his role in making changes. He also discusses his grants and his service to the Cameron Museum of Art. Dr. Hayes retired in July 2006.

In this interview, retired professor Dr. Barbara A. Greim discusses the creation of UNCW's Computer Science Department, including the procedure of receiving approval for the initial Computer Science program, budgetary and new-hire concerns, details concerning the 1998 split from the Mathematics Department, and the particulars of her tenure as Chair.

Ms. Betty Sue Westbrook, retired faculty member, discusses her career at Wilmington College and UNC-Wilmington as a librarian. She spent her library career as a cataloger. Ms. Westbrook began working at the college in 1965 and retired twenty years later. Topics discussed include: increasing library holdings to 50,000 volumes so that the library could be accredited as a 4-year college library; reclassification of the collection from Dewey Decimal system to Library of Congress system; and the important role and contributions of Helen Hagan, library director.

Dr. David Padgett discusses his 30-plus year career as a professor of biology and marine biology. He came to UNCW in 1975. Dr. Padgett discusses his service in the Navy, his graduate education, and his teaching and research at UNCW. Dr. Padgett's specialty is marine mycology and aquatic fungi.

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.

Dr. James F. Merritt discusses his 30-plus year history at UNCW. He came to the biology department in 1973 (when the university had around 1700 students) to teach courses in genetics and related areas. He moved into administration, first as department chair and then as director of the Center for Marine Science Research following Dr. Ralph Brauer's retirement. Discussion includes Marine Expo in 1985, 1987, and 1989 and the Center for Marine Science facility in Myrtle Grove, which opened in 2000.

In this oral history interview, Melton McLaurin discusses his career in academics. Dr. McLaurin was hired as chair of the UNCW history department, a position that he held until 1991. He discusses the department during this time of growth at the university, the beginning of the graduate program in history, his teaching, and his research. In 1996 Dr. McLaurin became associate vice-chancellor for academic affairs. Although he retired in 2002, he continued his association with the university, serving in various roles. Most recently he organized a video documentary project about the Montford Pointe Marines. The interview includes Dr. McLaurin's reflections on what he envisions for the future of UNCW and the future of humanities in the university setting.

James F. Parnell recounts his career at Wilmington College and UNC-Wilmington. Dr. Parnell came to Wilmington College in 1964, having just completed his Ph.D. at North Carolina State University. He became the fourth member of the biology department. Topics discussed include: the North Carolina Sea Grant program and how it helped fund research at UNCW; Dr. Parnell's research specialization in vertebrate zoology with a specific focus on birds: Dr. Parnell's two years as department chair in the late 1960s; and his observations regarding teaching and researching in the biology department for 32 years, until his retirement in 1995.

These papers include histories of UNCW, the UNCW Biology Department, Wilmington College and biographical material, alumni newsletters, and newspaper and magazine articles pertaining to Dr. Walter C. Biggs. Also included are early school records dating from 1948-1953, and a copy of the constitution of the Order of Isaac Bear.