UNC by the Sea? UNC Wrightsville? The University of North Carolina Wilmington has heard it all. Being located in a popular beach town, UNCW has often been branded as a typical “beach school”. Students walk barefoot down Chancellor’s Walk, ready to catch a tan and surf the biggest waves after class; the typical stereotype of a UNCW student. But, UNCW has much more to offer.
UNCW takes priority in providing students with a quality education. With over 60 majors across 5 different schools on campus, the university has plenty to offer students wishing to pursue a higher education. UNCW also makes sure that the students are a priority. Students should get the experience that they pay for. Giving students the opportunities to build a community with one another, UNCW makes sure that their students have fun and stay engaged through various campus organizations, clubs, and events that bring students the best experiences possible.
As a university mascot, the Seahawk represents the true nature of UNCW’s students- the drive to soar for success. As Seahawks, we are not afraid to take the steps necessary to better our futures. Whether we know it or not, the Seahawk will always be an important part of our own personal brand. UNCW has taken great strides to make sure that the university brand is something that is taken serious. The university makes sure that they hold themselves to high expectations regarding the quality of their academics and campus life compared to its perception as a “chill”, “laid back” school for beach goers.
–Logan Matthews
IMC Hawks Blog 
I really liked your blog post because when ever I tell anyone that I go to school at UNCW, they always make comments about it being right by the beach and that they bet I don’t get a lot of studying done because I am so close to the beach. I always tell them that UNCW is just like other schools, just because we are by the beach doesn’t mean I skip class and spend all my time at the beach. I agree that UNCW has a lot of clubs and organizations that keep students engaged and allow the students to get the most out of our college experience.
Logan,
I completely agree with your post. While UNCW does offer a big perk by being located 10 minutes from the beach, the school has so much more to offer than just “chill beach vibes.” There’s so many opportunities for community and success, which are sometimes overshadowed by the “beach school” label.
Your Introduction was so great. I was hooked to your article after reading the first line. Everything you said is so true! When I decided to come to UNCW, it was always assumed that I was coming here JUST for the beach. I was growing tired of constantly explaining to everyone that UNCW isn’t all about the beach. I mean, don’t get me wrong, its a huge bonus… But, UNCW has so much more to offer than just a 24/7 vacation.
I agree with this. I transferred here this fall and while everyone is laid back and enjoys the beach I have found UNCW to be very academically focused. I was initially a little surprised by this because of its brand as a beach school but now I see that students are often more well-rounded and balance life better than most college students.
I really enjoyed this post! As students at UNCW, we know how great the academics are. But you’re right, UNCW definitely has a reputation as “just a beach school”. It is important to take the time to see how much is offered here and if people did that, they would see that UNCW has so much more to offer, especially around education. I love how you described the mascot and compared it to our student body. I think it is very fitting!
Hi Logan,
It was very interesting to me how you first introduced UNCW’s brand from the public’s perspective and then went on to use many examples to prove that we are so much more than that. When I decided to attend UNCW most of my friends and family assumed that it was because it is a beach school. However, I chose UNCW because as a senior in high school I had no clue what I wanted to do! UNCW has so many diverse programs to choose from, and I could not be more glad to call this my home.
Hi Logan, your article really captivated my attention! As much as I hate to admit this, but I was drawn to your article because you mentioned the beach. It seems many people are attracted to UCNW for the beach, and I would be lying to you and to myself if I told you it did not have a heavy influence on why I chose this university. However, when I came here I noticed the same qualities you mentioned in your article. For example, how much this university really does care about their students. I also feel that post-hurricane Florence it has become even more evident of how much UNCW cares for the safety and well-being of their students. I also really liked the analogy you used with our mascot. I never thought of our mascot in that way, but it hits home for me as I am close to completing my time here at UNCW. Thanks for sharing, and I encourage others to take in this advice!
Great post! UNCW definitely has a reputation that makes it seem like all we do all day is, well, basically nothing but tan and surf… aka “chill.” In some ways, yeah we are super chill! Although, we still stress and work really hard to get things done but you can bet that know how to relax when we know we need it. At the end of the day, I am super proud to be a seahawk and I think our students can collectively agree on that.
Very well put, although the majority of students are known as laid back we still accomplish the goals we have set for ourselves. The facts speak for themselves with a 71.4 percent graduation rate. We the students and the faculty surely have kept the reputation of UNCW of a laid back but also hard working with a high-level of education taught throughout the entire university.
Logan, this is a great post I love it! When I first started at UNCW last year I always wondered why some students walked barefoot around campus, to their classes, and to the bathroom. I thought it was SO gross and to be honest I still do especially the bathroom. I do like seeing how laid back the school is in that perspective.
UNCW’s brand is the working definition of a “Chill/Laid Back” University. In contrast, most other universities build their brand based on athletics. If you search schools by mascots, the images tell the schools brand by showing massive crowds in stadiums, sports teams, and a competitive nature. UNCW sets its self apart from the rest. A quick image search of Sammy Seahawk will show crowds of students in teal, numerous beach shots, and lastly Sammy Seahawk playing cornhole on the beach. Its great to see a university with such a relaxed atmosphere not only offers sixty different majors but also be competitive in them. I believe that the “Chill” and “Laid Back” nature of UNCW has shaped our campus into being as accepting and friendly as it is, attracting the ‘Chillest’ and most hardworking students to our community.
I have always shared this opinion throughout my time at UNCW, as well as through recommending the school to others, but have never quite been able to vocalize it as you have. This school is attractive because of its close proximity to the beach, but I feel like the fact that this is a “beach school” has a much greater affect on the community than just being able to go to the beach a lot. Everyone is just so happy to be here and happy to contribute that it feels a lot more relaxed and easy to meet people and do things. Even the most uptight people here are brought to a more realistic level of comfort simply by the positive environment here. It’s not solely because we’re by the beach, but that has a lot to do with it, and it allows this school to be “chill” while also remaining professional and productive at the same time.
I really like this post because as a transfer student at UNCW from a big school on the West Coast, I was worried that it was just a beach school and that I wasn’t going to get as great of a education at UNCW but I have figured out that I have a great opportunity yo do the things that I want in school and at a much cheaper price! I am coming to love UNCW and feel like I can be very successful here!
Dear logan,
I believe this is a frequent misconception problem with our local area. A lot of people perceive us as just a chill beach community and never look past that too see what we have to offer. This can cause credibility issues for our area and school, but as you have showed we have plenty of aspects to show off. We just need to market them better.
I agree with your view on UNCW being a school perceived as “chill” and “beachy” because I do think that it how most every outsider views our schools brand. I do think that this school has that brand image for a reason because it is the truth, students do walk around barefoot, skate down chancellors, wear bathing suits as an acceptable form of clothing, and have their cars filled up with surfboards and beach towel ready to hit the beach after classes. Though these thing are all true, you’re right in explaining that there’s more to this school than that, and though that’s how we’re viewed there’s drive and the desire to ‘sore’ underneath it as well.
I love that you discussed not only the amazing things UNCW has to offer, but also the stereotype this school holds. I have lived here my entire life and chose to go to ECU for my first year. Once I transferred here, I was in a way shocked to see so many people walking barefoot, but I had to remember where I was. UNCW its truly one of a kind and has such an amazing community. Thank you for exposing it for how wonderful it really is!