UNCW Center for Marine Science History

Transcriptions of oral history interviews. The collection's categories are Voices of UNCW, Southeast North Carolina, Arts, and Military.

Charles Cahill discusses his life and career, with a focus on his 22 years as Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Provost of UNC-Wilmington. Dr. Cahill came to UNCW from Oklahoma. As provost, he oversaw much activity on campus, such as the hiring of new faculty members including Deans and department chairs. He also oversaw the construction of new campus buildings and worked with donors and the General Administration of UNC to support UNCW's growth. Dr. Cahill remained a fan of university athletics throughout his career. After serving in senior administration, Dr. Cahill taught in his home department of chemistry for several years prior to retirement.

Dr. Daniel B. Plyler discusses his career at UNC-Wilmington. Dr. Plyler came to Wilmington College in the Fall of 1966 to teach in the biology department. He discusses the various roles he has held, including that of biology professor, department chair, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, academic Dean, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He was also the first director of the Marine Science program. Dr. Plyler began the phased retirement program in 1999, and then officially retired in 2001. Contact the Center for Southeast NC Archives & History for access to this interview.

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.

Dr. Bolen discusses his life and career with a focus on his time at UNC-Wilmington. Dr. Bolen had a career as a scientist and administrator at several institutions, including the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation and Texas Tech University, before coming to UNCW in 1988 to serve as the first Dean of the Graduate School. Dr. Bolen served as Dean for 6 years, and in 1994 began teaching and doing research full-time in the department of biological sciences. As Dean, Dr. Bolen instituted several programs and projects, and worked closely with the Graduate Council to accomplish new goals. As a teacher and researcher, Dr. Bolen's specializations are wildlife ecology and wildlife management.

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.

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.

Dr. Jack Manock describes his career in academia at two universities in NC: Western Carolina University and UNC Wilmington. Dr. Manock began as an assistant professor at Western Carolina University in the spring of 1968. After seven years, he became director of Research Administration there. Then in 1984 he moved to Wilmington to be become director of the Office of Research Administration at UNCW. He discusses the establishment of the program and working with administrators at UNCW including Charles Cahill and William Wagoner to expand research and outside funding. In 1995 he returned to his field of chemistry and set up a research program in marine ecotoxicology. He teaches upper-level courses in environmental chemistry and physical chemistry.

Interview with Marvin Moss, former Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at UNCW. Contact the Center for Southeast NC Archives & History for access to this interview.

Interview with Dr. Neil Hadley, Biology professor and former Dean of the Graduate School and Research at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Sybil Burgess was a UNCW faculty member in the Department of Chemistry for 21 years. She came in 1982 as a part-time instructor and then worked full-time as an instructor before being hired for a tenure-track position starting in 1983. She discusses her research and teaching in marine sciences and biochemistry. After retirement, Dr. Burgess began a second career as a full-time faculty member at Brunswick Community College teaching biology and chemistry.