UNCW announces major gifts

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Today, UNCW officially kicked off the school’s Soaring to Greatness campaign with a very special announcement. school leaders announced two major gifts donated to the university. One of the gifts, from the McNeill family, is going to the schools of business and nursing and is the largest gift the school has ever received.

So far the the university has refused to say how much the McNeill family’s gift was, but it revealed the nursing school will now bear a new name: McNeill Hall.

“We’re excited about the part that UNCW plays in the growth of our area and of the state as well,” donor Sandy McNeill, Jr., said. “Just the outstanding quality of the students that are coming here and the programs that are going to move our nation forward.”

Improvements at Trask Coliseum are on the way thanks to $250,000 from Sylvia and George Rountree.

“On behalf of the student athletes of UNCW, I would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. George Rountree for their generous contribution and also all the other donors out there that support UNCW,” basketball player Brittany Blackwell said.

Although the gifts are significant, school leaders say they haven’t quite reached their goal.

Mcneill is hopeful others will be inspired to give.

“We hope other people will do what they’re able to as well,” he said.

Since the start of the silent phase of the Soaring to Greatness campaign, the university has raised $57.7 million of its $65 million goal. University leaders say their number one priority for the money raised is student scholarships.

For more information about The Campaign for UNCW: Soaring to Greatness, go to www.uncw.edu/campaign.