Written by Organization's Staff | 14 September 2012

Wilmington, NC -- The University of North Carolina Wilmington announced last week that local businesswoman Wilma Daniels has made a gift to the university to help fund an initial year of programming for the Wilma Daniels Distinguished Lecture Promoting Diversity & Tolerance.  Daniels is a member of the UNCW Board of Trustees.

Daniels' gift will fund the appearance of Magic Johnson, who will speak Oct. 11, 2012 at Trask Coliseum. The public is invited to attend this free event, but tickets will be required. Johnson, former NBA basketball star and current entrepreneur and philanthropist, will focus his talk on building a successful life, overcoming challenges and achieving personal goals. UNCW is working with local schools and youth groups to bring in several hundred middle school students to hear Johnson's encouraging message.

At a press conference announcing the gift, Daniels said she is proud of UNCW's efforts to serve the community, and particularly its focus on inclusiveness in all of its educational, cultural and community outreach programs.

"UNCW has excellent initiatives related to diversity and tolerance, which this new lecture will build upon and strengthen," she said. "I wanted to work with the university to bring someone to campus to inspire young people, and to forge deeper relationships between the local African-American community and the campus."

The Daniels Lecture will be part of a week-long celebration of diversity, including numerous cultural and educational events. A full event schedule will be made available in September. For more information about the Daniels Lecture and Magic Johnson, go to www.uncw.edu/daniels.

"This lecture reflects our university's sustaining values," said Chancellor Gary L. Miller. "As an institution, UNCW is dedicated to the journey of learning, including the great diversity of culture and ethnicities of humankind, a love of place-especially this community, and a commitment to ideas and innovation. These values are supported when we bring in guest speakers to share their ideas and perspectives with the community."

Tickets to the Oct. 11 Magic Johnson lecture will be available starting Sept. 24 from the UNCW Athletics Ticket Office located in Trask Coliseum.

• Tickets are free, but space is limited.

• Tickets must be picked up in person during regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

• Each person may pick up a maximum of 4 tickets.

• Ticket Office phone numbers (for information only-tickets may not be reserved by phone): 910.962.3233 or 800.808.UNCW •