UNC-Wilmington

UNCW

Former names	Wilmington College
Motto	Discere Aude
Motto in English	Dare to Learn
Type	State University
Established	September 4, 1947 (1947-09-04)
Endowment	$98.11 million (2015)
Chancellor	Jose V. Sartarelli
Academic staff	1,092
Administrative staff	1,302
Undergraduates	13,914
Postgraduates	1,826
Location	Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S.
Campus	Suburban, 661 acres (2.67 km2)
Colors	Teal, navy, and gold
Nickname	Seahawks
Mascot	Sammy C. Hawk
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I – CAA
Website	www.uncw.edu

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW), sometimes referred to as UNC Wilmington, is a public, co-educational university located in Wilmington, North Carolina, United States. UNCW enrolls 15,740 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students each year as part of the 17-campus University of North Carolina System.

UNCW opened its doors on September 4, 1947 as Wilmington College. At the time the school operated as a junior college, offering freshman-level courses to 238 students during the first school year, 75% of whom were veterans returning from military service following World War II. Under the control of the New Hanover County Board of Education, Wilmington College earned accreditation from the North Carolina College Conference in 1948 and became a member of the American Association of Junior Colleges. Further accreditation came in 1952 from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

In 1958, Wilmington College was placed under the Community College Act of North Carolina, passing control from the New Hanover County Board of Education to a board of trustees as a state-supported college under the supervision of the North Carolina Board of Higher Education.

Wilmington College became a senior college on July 1, 1963, when the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation allowing the school to offer a four-year curriculum and award bachelor's degrees. Six years later, July 1, 1969, the name of the school was changed to "The University of North Carolina at Wilmington", making UNCW the fifth campus of the University of North Carolina system. On August 22, 1977, UNCW was authorized to offer its first graduate programs at the master's level. The school offers 54 bachelor's degrees, 29 master's degrees and four doctoral degrees: Ed.D. Educational Leadership; Ph.D. Marine Biology and Psychology and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice.

The university offers degrees in humanities, sciences, health, business and professional fields. The university’s highly ranked marine science program draws a variety of undergraduate and graduate students from across the United States. The proximity to the Atlantic Ocean is a draw for incoming freshmen.