The University of North Carolina, Wilmington has announced a $1 million gift from local real estate developer and entrepreneur H. David Swain and his wife, Diane, to support economic research and business development services at UNCW's Cameron School of Business.

In recognition of the gift, the university will rename the Center for Business and Economic Services in the Swains' honor. The center, which has existed at UNCW for almost thirty years, will use the gift to grow its programs and enhance the scope of services it provides to the region.

Swain's real estate company develops apartment complexes, retail centers, restaurants, and financial institutions. Longtime supporters of the university, the Swains previously established a scholarship fund to benefit the children of New Hanover County employees.

"UNCW is very grateful to David and Diane Swain for their incredible generosity and dedication," said UNCW chancellor Rosemary DePaolo. "In a time of shrinking state budgets, philanthropic gifts such as theirs empower the university to continue providing students with the most powerful learning experience possible. They are wonderful role models and friends who have made our campus and community much better places to live, work, and learn."