UNCW College of Health and Human Services History

In this interview, Adrienne Jackson discusses the development of the nursing school at UNCW. She also touches on the general history of and changes in nursing programs, as well as her own career as a nurse and educator.

Doretha Stone was born in South Carolina and moved to Wilmington at age six. She graduated from Williston High School in 1959, going on to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing at Winston-Salem State University and UNC Greensboro, respectively. Stone worked briefly as a nurse at Meharry Medical College in Tennessee before returning to Wilmington, where she taught pediatrics at Community Hospital. After a time at the National Institute of Health, Babies Hospital, and New Hanover Hospital, she began teaching in the associate degree program at UNCW. She retired in 2002, but continues managing a home health agency in the Cape Fear area. In this interview, Stone discusses the development of the bachelor's program in nursing and the clinicals she implemented for students. She also recalls her experiences outside academics.

Born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, Jane Lowe graduated from the Chapel Hill School of Nursing in 1959. In 1964, she moved to Wilmington with her husband, a German professor at UNCW. She began working part-time in the associate degree program for nursing as a clinical instructor at James Walker Hospital. When she was urged to become full-time faculty, she taught in the classroom as well, where she was known as a tough but dedicated educator. In her time at UNCW, Lowe witnessed the closing of James Walker Hospital and the addition of a baccalaureate degree program. She retired in 1999.

Miss Whitfield was a 1941 graduate of James Walker Hospital School of Nursing. She later attended UNC-CH Public Health Program and obtained her master's degree. Her career led her to the fledgling nursing program at Wilmington College where she was a clinical instructor for 20 years. Her recollections include time at James Walker and the associate degree nursing program at Wilmington College.

Interview with Dr. Allen Gray, the first R.N. Access (R.N. to B.S.) Director for UNCW's School of Nursing.

Dr. Perri J. Bomar discusses her career as a nurse and educator in this interview. Her first post-secondary degree was a nursing diploma from a hospital school in Canton, OH. Subsequently she earned a BSN, MSN, and Ph.D. Her career took her to various institutions, including ECU, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the University of San Diego, and finally UNCW in 1996. At UNCW she was instrumental in establishing the first master's degree program in Nursing, which began in 1998. Dr. Bomar served as Associate Dean at UNCW from 1996-2005. She directed UNCW's partnership with a clinic in Bolton, NC and conducted ongoing research and publication in areas such as family nursing and hypertension in black women and men. Dr. Bomar reflects on the state of the nursing profession and the role of nursing educators. She also comments on her experiences obtaining federal funds for research, clinical programs, and educational programs.

Interview with Toni Barfield who served as an instructor and was fundamental in developing the nursing program first at Wilmington College then UNCW. She graduated from UNC-CH school of nursing in 1963 with a BSN at age 22. She joined the faculty at Wilmington College in 1968 and taught for many years. Barfield explains that she acquired her specialty in OB-GYN only in response to the increasing demand for classes in the field. She explains that nursing students did their psychiatry training at Cherry Hospital and mentions the first male graduate in 1972.

Interview with Virginia Adams, dean of UNCW's School of Nursing (1994-2008), in which she discusses her personal and professional history as well as her role in the establishment of UNCW's MSN program.

Calvin Lane came to work at UNCW in 1969 and retired in 1990 from his faculty position, and in 1999 from his coaching position. First he was Financial Aid Director and then a faculty member in the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER). He served as men's tennis coach for one year, men's soccer coach for 15 years, and men's golf coach for 15 years. In the interview, he discusses building the soccer and golf programs, and the growth and development of athletics at UNCW. He led soccer to a spot in the national top-20, often competing against teams with more resources. He closes by discusses his philosophy of coaching. Mr. Lane's retirement has included playing professional golf.

Dr. Charles Lewis began teaching at UNCW in 1982. His academic specialty is Parks and Recreation Management. He has served as chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER). His primary area of teaching is leisure service management. Dr. Lewis discusses the department, the university and how it has evolved, and his role in creating international exchange programs for students in HPER. Among the people who have influenced him and been helpful to him: James R. Leutze (chancellor) and James McNab (assistant provost for International Programs)

David Miller, Professor of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER), discusses his time teaching at UNCW and his experience as a Wilmington College student-athlete. He also discuses his belief in the important role of athletics in higher education. Dr. Miller was recruited by Coach Bill Brooks to play baseball. He was a member of the Wilmington College team when the team won the No. 1 spot in junior college baseball during his freshman year. During his sophomore year, the team was No. 2 nationwide. He graduated from Wilmington College with an associate's degree and continued his education elsewhere. Returning to his alma mater, Dr. Miller served in various administrative roles, including director of UNCW summer school, chair of HPER, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and professor.

Dr. Delilah Blanks taught social work from 1972-1992. Her first class was an evening course in introductory social work. Dr. Blanks earned her Ph.D. in health education from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1982. Her earlier degrees are an M.S.W. from UNC and a bachelor's degree from Shaw University. While at UNCW she developed and expanded the Social Work curriculum. She also worked with Ralph Parker, director of the Office of Minority Affairs, to retain and recruit minority students from the region. Dr. Blanks reflects on her students, the classes she taught, and the role of the university in the region. Starting in1988, she has served on the Bladen County Board of Commissioners. She discusses the issues she addresses as a County commissioner. Dr. Blanks has held leadership positions in state and national professional organizations, such as having recently served as president of the NC Association of County Commissioners.

Born and raised in New York City, Dr. Sylvia Polgar moved to Chapel Hill with her husband in 1967. She completed her PhD in Sociology at UNC Chapel Hill in 1973 with a dissertation on children's play. In 1976, Polgar was hired as part of the sociology department at UNCW. Here, she discusses teaching students, interactions with faculty members, the development of the university, and the beginnings of the women's studies program.

William Jasper (Bill) Brooks was UNCW's first Athletics Director. Mr. Brooks came to Wilmington in 1951 to hold a dual appointment for New Hanover High School and Wilmington College. He began full-time at Wilmington College in 1956, coaching baseball and basketball and teaching physical education. He served as chair of the physical education department until his retirement in 1991. Mr. Brooks has been inducted into the NC Sports Hall of Fame and the UNCW Sports Hall of Fame.

In this interview, Michael Smith, a 1972 graduate of UNCW's School of Nursing, recollects his memories working at Wilmington's Babies Hospital while in high school, as well as his experiences as one of UNCW Nursing School's first male nursing students-- and the remainder of his career, which has included time in England's national health care system and his training as a nurse anesthetist.

Mrs. Miller is a 1986 graduate of the UNCW School of nursing, the last year of the 2-yr AD program. She recalls her memories of school and clinical experiences as well. In addition, she speaks to her father, Dr. Graham Barefoot and his career as a radiologist, pathologist and cardiologist at James Walker and other area hospitals between 1923-1967. Her mother, the former Elizabeth Murray, completed the diploma program at James Walker School of Nursing in 1925. This oral history gives accounts for the changes and similarities of health services for over 60 years.

Mrs. Miller is a 1986 graduate of the UNCW School of nursing, the last year of the 2-yr Associate's Degree program. She speaks of her father, Dr. Graham Barefoot and his career as a radiologist, pathologist and cardiologist at James Walker and other area hospitals between 1923-1967. Mrs. Miller descibes many of her father's collegues including Dr. Fales and Dr. Kounce. Like many other nursing graduates she descibes her love and pride in her uniform. This oral history gives accounts for the changes and similarities of health services for over 60 years.

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

Created by University Archives, this series has interviews and interview transcripts with faculty, staff, students, and alumni of Wilmington College and UNCW