Rosemary DePaolo, chancellor of the University of North Carolina Wilmington, was chosen as a 2009 recipient of a Woman of Achievement Award from the General Federation of Women's Clubs of North Carolina.
The awards, presented to a number of women recipients from around the state, were given at the recent annual convention of the GFWC at the Blockade Runner in Wrightsville Beach.
"It was truly an honor to be chosen for this distinctive award, and particularly to be in the company of so many extraordinary women from around North Carolina," said DePaolo. "I am continually astonished at the talent, intellect, commitment and dedication of the community of women leaders in this state."
DePaolo has been chancellor of UNC Wilmington since July 2003 and she is actively involved in several initiatives to improve the university's local and regional outreach efforts, including serving as an ex-officio member of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, as chair of the Southeastern Advisory Committee for Biotechnology of the NC Biotechnology Center, and on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the North Carolina Chamber, the state's largest and most influential business group. Throughout her tenure at UNCW, she has been an advocate for using the intellectual capital of the university to address issues of concern to the region, particularly in furthering economic development.
The GFWC of North Carolina is the oldest volunteer organization in the state, with more than 150 clubs and approximately 5,000 members, who support the community through volunteer service. Last year, GFWC clubs gave more than $1.5 million and more than 408,000 volunteer service hours through more than 4,400 community program and projects.
Other Wilmington women honored as 2009 Women of Achievement by the GFWC included: Frances Weller, WECT-TV news anchor and board member of the Community Boys and Girls Club; Margaret Weller-Stargell, president of the Willie Stargell Foundation; Monica Caison, founder of the CUE Center for Missing Persons; Phyllis Gorham, Superior Court Judge; Hannah Gage, chair of the UNC Board of Governors; and Carolyn Justice, representative from North Carolina's 16th District.
Media contact:
Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu
