UNC Wilmington has announced the recipients of the 2025 Alumni Association Distinguished Awards.
The awards are presented to individuals in recognition of their extraordinary achievement, outstanding character and exemplary service to the university and community, according to a UNCW news release.
The announcement preceded the university's Homecoming celebrations, which started Feb. 13. The awardees were acknowledged during the festivities. A formal celebration will be held in June as a part of the Weekend in Wilmington celebration, the release stated.
This year's recipients are:
Abbotts retired after a career in public service and government relations. He most recently served as a partner and senior advisor in government relations at Hoyt, Kisling, & McDowell, where he provided strategic advice and advocacy for various clients, according to the release. Previously, Abbotts spent 28 years with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, contributing to the state Medicaid program, the release stated. He earned the Distinguished Political Science Alumni Award in spring 2018.
Engel is the clinical coordinator for KidsCAN!, a support program at UNC REX Cancer Care in Raleigh dedicated to helping children whose parents have been diagnosed with cancer, according to the release. Since November 2021, she has been leading the program, which she first joined as a participant in 2002 when her father had cancer. Before her current role, Engel served as a grief counselor for children and teens at Transitions LifeCare from 2016 to 2021. Her career in counseling began with her internship at Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center during her senior year at UNCW.
Curran is the founder and creative director of Muse Media Services, a consultancy and communications firm that focuses on problem-solving at the intersection of activism, culture and sustainability practices. Curran's recent endeavors include curating promotional materials for Laura Strickling’s Grammy-nominated album,
Confessions, and providing project management and consulting for various publications. Before founding Muse Media Services, Curran had a successful career as a professional opera singer, making her Carnegie Hall debut at 25 years old.
Scholz is the operations manager for Anil Mohin MD, where he oversees various operational aspects and ensures the smooth functioning of the practice. His career includes significant roles in the entertainment industry, having worked as a contracts manager for Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios. He also has experience as an entertainment journalist, contributing to various media outlets. Scholz has served as the membership chair and secretary for the Valley Business Alliance, where he was recognized with a leadership award. For over 10 years, he volunteered as a lifeline counselor for The Trevor Project, providing support to LGBTQIA youth. After earning a bachelor’s degree in business management from UNCW in 1984, he later pursued graduate studies in journalism and screenwriting at UCLA.
