Philip Brown
Four individuals were recognized by UNCW with honors as university graduates and supporters, according to a news release. The UNCW Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize extraordinary achievement, outstanding character and exemplary service to the university and community, stated the release.
The University of North Carolina Wilmington award recipients are: Philip Brown, Distinguished Alumnus of the Year;
Courtney Rickert, Distinguished Young Alumna of the Year; Wilbur Jones, Distinguished Citizen of the Year; and Edelmira Segovia,
the first recipient of the Distinguished Diversity Award.
The Distinguished Diversity Award, a new honor this year, recognizes an individual who has made exceptional contributions in the areas of diversity, equity, access, inclusion and social justice.
City leaders vote on the Wilmington Rail Trail master plan and signage for Americaâs First WWII Heritage City
City Council voted to approve the Wilmington Rail Trail master plan By WECT Staff | January 19, 2021 at 7:51 PM EST - Updated January 19 at 11:55 PM
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Wilmington City Council leaders voted unanimously to approve the installation of Americaâs First WWII Heritage City sign and adopted the Wilmington Rail Trail Master Plan at a meeting Tuesday night.
Wilmington is the first to receive the designation as Americaâs First WWII Heritage City and city leaders reviewed the proposal to create welcome signage that would be displayed as âAmericaâs 1st WWII Heritage City.â
WILMINGTON – Anyone driving into Wilmington could soon be met with a long-awaited acknowledgment of its World War II history.
The Wilmington City Council will hear a resolution at Tuesday s meeting that would support working with the N.C. Department of Transportation to add the America’s First WWII Heritage City” under the existing “Welcome To Wilmington” signs on state-maintained roads.
The resolution comes after Wilmington was honored last September as the country s first World War II Heritage City, a designation fought for by local veterans and history buffs led by Wilbur Jones.
Jones worked for more than a decade to champion the city s role in the war effort, from building Liberty ships at the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company to the many USO Centers through the region.
The city currently displays âHome of the North Carolina Azalea Festivalâ at its entry-ways, as well.
The N.C. Department of Transportation requires local governments to OK the installation and verify they will cover the costs. Those expenses include the fabrication, installation and maintenance up to DOT and Federal Highway Administration standards.
Following two other presentations early into the meeting, council will hear an update on the World War II Heritage City classification from Tony McEwen, special assistant to the city manager, and Capt. Wilbur Jones, a U.S. Navy veteran and military historian who led the effort for the recognition.