• B y G r e t c h e n N a s h • Giving Trip
i
t was one of those golden fall days in Wrightsville Beach. A small wave peeled down the
lineup of pelicans and gulls. From a sunny deck, out of the breeze, Dr. Antonio (Tony)
Puente, tells his story of learning how to give.
Puente is a professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington
and maintains a private practice limited to clinical neuropsychology. He serves as president
of the board of directors for the Cape Fear Clinic (formerly, the Tileston Health Clinic), a
nonprofit, multi-disciplinary clinic for individuals who don’t have health insurance and live
200 percent over the poverty line. He’s written books, founded and edited scientific journals,
lectured in more than a dozen countries, served on countless panels and advisory committees
and supplied forensic assessments for more than 40 death penalty cases. In 2011, Puente
received the American Psychological Association’s Distinguished Professional Contributions to
Independent Practice.
On a more local level, he was the first faculty advisor for the UNCW Surf Club and serves on
the selection committee for the Tower 7/Wblivesurf Scholarship for UNCW students. He’s a
family man and surfer philanthropist who is compelled, almost driven, to give back to others.
53
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM
PhotographY by joshua curry