Alarmed by recent reports that Gary Miller, chancellor of University of North Carolina Wilmington, is in the job market – possibly as a result of pressure from within the UNC system – some individuals and business people have developed an open letter to UNC-system president Tom Ross, the UNC Board of Governors and the UNCW Board of Trustees, asking them to consider Miller’s positive impact on the university and the community.

The letter, which has been signed by a number of individuals, will run as an ad in the Greater Wilmington Business Journal and the StarNews, according to organizers.

“In recent days, there has been much attention paid to possible reasons for UNCW Chancellor Gary Miller’s interest in leaving UNCW for other leadership opportunities,” the open letter states. “We would like to respectfully request that you FOCUS your attention to the reasons this community needs him to stay.”
 
The statement also lists several developments at the university under Miller’s leadership such as the opening of the MARBIONC center, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and an online educational model for nursing students.
 
Peter Hexter, a partner with Brax Ltd., was an organizer of the open letter initiative.
 
“First and foremost, I am heavily invested in that university, financially and emotionally,” Hexter said in an interview Wednesday, noting that his daughter is a UNCW graduate. “I have a great deal of admiration for Gary Miller. His message resonates with me and the majority of people I come into contact with in the business community.

“If UNCW were a publicly traded company, people would be investing in it, and its stock would be rising.”

In recent weeks, media stories have reported the fact that Miller is a finalist for the top post at three universities. One of the universities - Ohio's Youngstown State University - has since named former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel to lead it, but Miller remains a finalist for the position of president at SUNY Buffalo State and at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay.

Hexter said he was “devastated” at the prospect of Miller leaving the university.

“This would be a huge loss for the university, for New Hanover County and for the city of Wilmington,” he said. “He has built bridges that were not there before, and if his vision is brought to fruition, it will continue to elevate UNCW to the next level.

“[The open letter] is a desperate attempt to send a message to the UNC Board of Governors and [UNCW] Board of Trustees saying, ‘We hope the university has thought this through.’ My guess is that if a vote were taken among UNCW alumni and the citizens of greater Wilmington, it would be a landslide in favor of keeping Gary Miller as chancellor.”

Here is the full letter, according to a copy of the ad:

An Open Letter to President Ross (UNC System); the North Carolina Board of Governors; and the UNCW Board of Trustees:

In recent days, there has been much attention paid to possible reasons for UNCW Chancellor Gary Miller’s interest in leaving UNCW for other leadership opportunities.
We would like to respectfully request that you FOCUS your attention to the reasons this community needs him to stay.

Under Chancellor Miller’s leadership and drive, UNCW has soared to new heights. The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and The Marine Biotechnology Center (MARBIONC) have opened and are flourishing, putting Wilmington on the map as a rising hub of regional innovation and economic development.

With a unique public-private partnership, Chancellor Miller initiated UNCW’s online
education model for nursing students - the first of its kind in the state. He has ushered in a new era for UNCW Athletics, including a tremendous rise in community support for our student-athletes and the development of an impressive facilities plan.

In December the university, under Chancellor Miller, attained a rare “positive” outlook from Moody’s Investor Service - despite its “negative” outlook for higher education as a whole. Chancellor Miller’s vision inspired the university’s strategic action plan and will ensure continued progress and growth during this critical time for the university and the UNC system. His dedication to “the journey of learning” led to his support for ETEAL, an applied learning model created and sustained by UNCW’s world-class faculty. Chancellor Miller has dedicated his time here to elevating UNCW’s academics, athletics, student services, and fiscal efficiency. He has dared us all to soar, and UNCW’s faculty, staff, students and our community have embraced this challenge. We believe in Chancellor Miller and his leadership and vision. We ask you to stand behind him, as this community does, as he leads UNCW to even greater achievement — and the long-term success that our current and future students deserve.

With respect,

Dr. Robert E. Tyndall - Patricia D. Tyndall - Hugh MacRae, III - Fred Meyers - Celia Rivenbark - Judy & Mort Neblett - Vance & Porter Young - Eric & Jean Rosenberg - Fred Davenport - Anne Harrison Murchison - Karen & Lee Crouch - Reggie Honbarrier - John Starling - Shaun Olsen - Becky O’Daniell - Eugene Davis - Senator Franklin L. Block - Dick Jones - Alley Hart - Rocco Quaranto - Peter & Jane Hexter - Lynn and Tim Meeker - Dorothy S. DeShields - Sheila Boles - Lisa Cunningham - Deloris & Nick Rhodes - Melissa Gallison - Marilyn & Howard Bollinger - Lynda and John Turpin - Tom Baker - Jim Wallace - Peter Starr -Alan Toll - Toyne Gray - Nancy & James E. Moore - Donald Hayes - Roger Johnson - Tish & Tom Looney - Linda U. Smith -
Michelle and Al Parker - Frank Tokes - Wendy Guillou - Larry Nelson - Rob Zapple - Nan Graham - Ed Alexander - Tony Harrington - Gaye and Tom Rowland - Dr. Nathaniel Creighton - Robert Sharp - Michael McWhorter - Don Bullard - Michael Satrazemis - Ken Weeden - Dr. Richard Nasca - Lorie Sprately - Ann & Jim Hively - Gregory A. Uhl - Nancy Rodilosso - Lucian C. Jones - Kevin Hay - Lanna Ford Winneberger - Norman Mustafa - Hanna Holt - Margaret Smith - Larry Boyd - Diane Avery - Maggie Warner - Dixie Andrews Smith - Susan Habas - Estell & Bobby Lee Harrison - Karen & Bruce Gibson - Peter Grear - Adam Shay - Janice & Alvah Bohannon - Eileen McConville - Myra & Owen Wexler - George Sagen - Wendy Rhodes - Peter Dallow - Julienne B. Orr - Jim Smith - Dallas Romanowski - Jack Mills - Jody Carmichael - Chiquita Prestwood - Howell S. Graham - Bertha Boykin Todd - William C. Mattocks III - Steven A. Fontana, J.D. - Tony Rivenback - Mary Branch - Dr. Marvin Hage - Marie Pierre Field - Kathy Murchison - Dr. Jason Field - Wallace Lambert - Rodney Perry - Michael Haas - Louise F. McColl - Avery & Dixie Wilmeth - William F. King - Kay Besanson - Patrick Boykin - Laura & Patrick Stoy - Amanda K Miars - Dr. Andre R. Billaud - Lawrence Smith - Marion Mayes - Joseph Hou - Phil and Bea Stewart - Dr. John Stikes - Betty Holden Stikes - Andrew & Hathia Sikes - Terry Reilly - Tom Naylon - Harvey Wright - Mary M. Gornto - G. Deanes Gornto - Rich Novak - Carole M. Bohrer - Geneva Reid - Anne S. York - Aggie Chamberlin - Paula Rice - Stephanie Haley - Cedric Dickerson