LibGuides: UNCW Board of Trustees History: Oral Histories

Oral Histories

These oral histories are recorded interviews with people who have served on the University of North Carolina Wilmington Board of Trustees. Interview transcripts are provided.

Interview with John J. Burney, Jr. (Oral History)
Mr. John J. Burney, Jr., discusses UNCW and Wilmington College from its founding to the present day. As a a graduate of New Hanover High School, Mr. Burney knew many of the first students and teachers of Wilmington College, since many of them came from the high school. He talks about them and about some of the first members of the Wilmington College Board of Trustees, including Addison Hewlett. He discusses the roles of John T. Hoggard, T.T. Hamilton, and William H. Wagoner in the development of the college and university.
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When Mr. Burney served as state Senator, he worked closely with Dr. Wagoner, Dr. William Friday and Mayor B.D. Schwartz to acquire support and funding for the new campus from the legislature and to get Wilmington College into the state-wide university system, which was achieved in 1969. After serving in the Senate, Mr. Burney practiced law for many years and remained active in the life of the university. He served on the Board of Trustees and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and also on the Chancellor Search Committee in 1990. Later he was a member of the first Board of Visitors, which was established by Chancellor James L. Leutze.
Interview with John J. Burney, Part 2 (Oral History)
In Part 2, Mr. Burney continues his reflections on his associations with UNC-Wilmington. He discusses his work with Dr. Hubert Eaton on the Board of Trustees and as his attorney.
Interview with Hannah Gage (Oral History)
A Fayettville, NC native, Hannah Dawson Gage grew up expected to understand the family business: radio. She studied Journalism at Chapel Hill, became a correspondent for the NEWS and OBSERVER, and in Charleston, SC. In the late 1970's moved to Wilmington living in Historic District and worked in family owned radio bought from Brody-Cameron Co. She later worked on WGNI, both AM-FM. She was the first to bring a conservative Talk Radio host to the area from Washington, D.C., on Coast 97.3. She sold WAAV radio and others to Cumulus Broadcasting in June, 2001. Hannah spent 8 years on UNCW Board, became a member of UNC Board of Governors 2001, and was the first woman to head the 32 person Governing Board in the UNC system.
Interview with Robert Warwick (Oral History)
Robert (Bob) Warwick has been involved in the finances and growth of Wilmington since 1958. In addition, he has served on UNCW Board of Trustees, the Board of Governors, and the UNCW Foundation Board.
Interview with Franklin Block (Oral History)
Interview with Franklin Block, native Wilmingtonian and son of notable local figures Charles and Hannah Block. Mr. Block is an attorney, former state senator, and onetime chairman of UNCW's Board of Trustees.