Each year, The Graduate School honors UNC-Chapel Hill graduate students and recent graduate alumni who are making valuable discoveries of direct benefit to North Carolina.

This year, 26 individuals received Graduate Education Advancement Board Impact Awards for projects directed toward a better future for people, communities and industry throughout our state.

The Graduate School publicly recognizes Impact Award recipients at the Annual Graduate Student Recognition Celebration, held this year on April 9 at the George Watts Hill Alumni Center.

“These awardees are using state-of-the-art tools and technologies under the mentorship of great faculty and support from the State of North Carolina,” said Steve Matson, dean of The Graduate School. “I am grateful to the Graduate Education Advancement Board, whose members have supported these annual awards with their own financial contributions for more than 10 years.”

For more information about the awards and recipients, click here.

Published April 9, 2015

For the past 18 years, Durham’s Full Frame Documentary Film Festival has been the launching point for thousands of documentaries produced by established and emerging filmmakers.

When the festival opens later this week, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will be represented as associate professor Chad Stevens of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications premieres his documentary “Overburden.”

Full Frame features more than 100 non-fiction films, discussions and panels every year. Stevens’ film, documenting the war on coal in Appalachia, was selected out of nearly 1,300 submissions to be shown at the prestigious international festival.

After nine years of work, the film will premiere Friday at 10:20 a.m. at the Durham Convention Center.

We caught up with Stevens before the festival:

How long have you been producing films?

“Since the early 2000s I have worked in multimedia and video documentary. I have a covered a wide-range of topics including the impacts of the genocide in Rwanda (“Intended Consequences”), the effects of PTSD on returning soldiers (“Marlboro Marine”) and a community’s efforts to build a wind farm in Appalachia (“In Coal Country, A Community Fights for Wind”) published by National Geographic Magazine.”

What is “Overburden” about?

“’Overburden’ is about two women on opposite sides of the war on coal in Appalachia. One woman, Lorelei, takes a stand to fight the industry after Massey Energy applies for permits to blow up the mountain she lives on to harvest the coal. Betty, a deep supporter of coal in the region, has many family members who work for the industry, including her brother who works for Massey Energy. But these two women find common ground after a tragedy strikes their community. In this moment both characters transform and begin working together to bring change to their community.

Through the stories of these two powerful women, we hope to explore the complicated issues of coal, economy and the people. We want to wipe clean people’s perceptions of what they know of Appalachia and coal miners, and let them connect with these families and ask the complex questions that need to be asked as we, as a country, begin transitioning from a fossil-fuel-based energy system to something more sustainable.”

What inspired you to create “Overburden?”

“Having grown up in Kentucky, I thought I knew Appalachia. I thought I knew what it meant to be a coal miner. I thought I understood the ways in which the land had shaped the people. I thought I knew what it looked like to raise a family there, to provide and to do what’s right. But after beginning this project nearly 10 years ago, I learned that it’s a place of coal and contradictions.

“This film is largely about those contradictions. For those on the outside, like myself, the answers seem easy. Coal is bad. Water is life. Don’t blow up the mountains. What’s hard to see from the outside is the reason folks are so dedicated to the very industry that ultimately, and statistically, ends their lives 10 years earlier than other Americans. This is because the region has been engineered to support only one economy, a coal economy, leaving families with only one option: a job in the coal mine. Even though that very coal company may blow up your land, it’s also the company that signs your paychecks, that gives you health insurance, and that feeds your children. And people fight fiercely to defend their families.

“In the process called mountaintop removal coal mining, “overburden” is a term used to define the rock, soil, trees and ecosystem that lie above a seam of coal. This overburden is blasted and bulldozed away to access the coal be- low. It is shoved into valleys, discarded, much like the people who live and work in those valleys are cast aside. The goal of this film is to humanize those people, to explore the complicated issues and to spark conversation that can move beyond the expected and polarizing debates and allow viewers to access an empathetic view of a people and a place that few Americans truly understand.”

What were the most challenging and rewarding parts of the filming process?

“The most challenging part of this project was time — having patience to stick with it for years to go beyond what other films have explored. I believe it takes time to gain access to tell the real, human stories. That has also been one of the most rewarding parts of the process — to build those relationships that will last over time. I also have to mention that the collaboration goes beyond the film subjects. This project would not be complete, would not be where it is, without the support of our team and producers. Catherine Orr and Elena Rue of StoryMineMedia have been so insightful in the story process. And the help of the Southern Documentary Fund has been critical as well. I’ve learned that you can’t do this alone; it takes a team, and that has also been one of the most rewarding parts of this project — learning to embrace community.”

What will it be like for you to see the film on the big screen?

“I can’t even imagine at this point what it will feel like to see this film, nine years in the making, projected on a big screen at the Full Frame Film Festival. Lorelei and Betty will both be at the screening and we will do a Q&A afterward. It means so much to me that the families will be there. It has been a collaboration from the start, and having them at the premiere will bring that collaboration full circle.”

For more information on Full Frame and to purchase tickets, click here.

Published April 8, 2015.

Racial policing and the ideologies that construct the origin story of modern conflicts were the focus of African American history scholar Khalil Griban Muhammad’s talk at the 11^th annual African American History Month Lecture on April 7 at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center.

Looking back on history, Muhammad said, the racial tension that led to race riots and lynchings seem long ago is the same debate and conversation facing society today.

“Turns out we’re having the exact same debate we had 110 years ago. It has not changed,” said Muhammad, the director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

The lecture, Chancellor Carol L. Folt said, was an opportunity to learn from others experiences.

“We’re here to honor the need to have the conversation and make real progress on some of the most important issues of our time,” she said. “Having Dr. Muhammad here today is an excellent opportunity for our students who are here to be more informed.”

The annual event was hosted by the African, African American and Diaspora Studies, American Studies, Black Student Movement, Center for the Study of the American South, College of Arts and Sciences, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, Gillings School of Global Public Health, History, Institute of African American Research, Institute for the Arts and Humanities, Music, Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Provost, Religious Studies, School of Dentistry, School of Information and Library Science, Social and Economic Justice, Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History.

In his hour-long lecture, Muhammad used the context of Michael Brown to illustrate the racial ideologies that are based in the past that Blacks required more aggressive policing. A key problem, Muhammad said, is the use of statistics as a way to justify actions such as stop and frisk policies when much of the crucial data is incomplete or does not exist at all.

“You are all deeply embedded in one of the most dominant narratives of racial struggle and strife in this country,” Muhammad said. “This is the story of the ‘Modern South.’ This is the historic frame that so often was discussed and attached to Michael Brown’s body.”

By Brandon Bieltz, Office of Communications and Public Affairs

Published April 8, 2014

Clean drinking water initiatives, cancer research programs and domestic violence prevention were some of the projects recognized by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill during the 2015 Public Service Awards. Sponsored by the Carolina Center for Public Service, individuals and organizations representing students, faculty, staff and community partners were honored April 7 at the annual Public Service Awards celebration.

“Public service and engaged scholarship are at the heart of what great public universities aspire to bring to our nation,” said Chancellor Carol L. Folt, who presented the awards. “Each of this year’s recipients have dedicated themselves to serving North Carolina, the United States and the world through public service. We are so proud to honor the meaningful and profoundly impactful work of the individuals and organizations receiving awards today.”

Mike Smith, dean of the School of Government, received the Ned Brooks Award for Public Service for his 37 years of providing and supporting public service within UNC-Chapel Hill and across North Carolina. He engages with city and county officials across the state to share the School of Government’s existing resources and learn how the School can better meet these public servants’ needs. His approach to mentoring, inspiring and providing opportunities for others to make a positive impact in the community has expanded public service beyond the University and the School of Government.

The center presented three Office of the Provost Engaged Scholarship Awards, which honor individuals and campus units for public service through engaged teaching, research and partnership:

• Gail Corrado, a lecturer in public policy, received the 2015 Office of the Provost Engaged Scholarship Award for engaged teaching for her work developing and teaching a public policy senior capstone course. In this course, senior public policy majors complete analytical projects with professional standards for local government and nonprofit organizations.
• Claudio Battaglini, an associate professor in exercise and sport science, received the 2015 Office of the Provost Engaged Scholarship Award for engaged research. His research examines the effects of exercise training in cancer patients through the UNC-Chapel Hill Get REAL and HEEL Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Program. The research provides evidence-based exercise training to breast cancer survivors with the goal of alleviating treatment-related side effects and empowering patients to live their lives with the highest possible functional capacity and quality of life.
• The Environmental Resource Program in the Institute for the Environment, which works to promote healthy communities across North Carolina by fostering broad support for clean water and improving science literacy among residents, received the 2015 Office of the Provost Engaged Scholarship Award for partnership. This award highlights the program’s partnership with the Upper Neuse River Keeper, Lake Crabtree County Park and North Carolina Division of Public Health on successful efforts to protect vulnerable populations from consuming contaminated fish caught in polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)-contaminated waterways.

The Robert E. Bryan Public Service Award recognizes individual students and faculty for exemplary public service efforts. This year’s Bryan awards went to four individuals and one organization:

• Hana Haidar, a senior English and sociology double major from Chapel Hill received the Robert E. Bryan undergraduate student award for her work with the UNC chapter of Habitat for Humanity, a national organization that provides decent and affordable housing for low-income families. For two years, Haidar served as chair of the community outreach committee, developing relationships between UNC-Chapel Hill student volunteers and the families of Chapel Hill’s Phoenix Place, where Habitat has built homes in recent years. Haidar hosted several community initiatives to promote financial literacy, healthy eating habits, physical activity and art education.
• Kristin Black, a maternal and child health doctoral student from Sacramento, California, received the Robert E. Bryan graduate student award for her work with Accountability for Cancer Care through Undoing Racism and Equity. This study is a systems-change intervention that optimizes transparency and accountability to achieve racial equity in the completion of cancer treatment among patients with early-stage breast and lung cancer. Black monitored the logistical components of the study and trained others in the Undoing Racism approach that ensures a common language for examining racial disparities in the healthcare system.
• Mathilde Verdier, program coordinator at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Social Innovation Initiative, received the Robert E. Bryan staff award for her work with CUBE, the University’s on-campus social innovation incubator. CUBE helps its participants build critical knowledge through mentorship, expert feedback sessions and skills-building workshops that deliver critical information to early-stage social ventures. At CUBE, Verdier built strategic partnerships to support students, faculty and staff with ideas surrounding some of society’s most pressing issues. Verdier’s work with CUBE allowed several community organizations, including Seal the Seasons, Musical Empowerment and Aquagenx, to make important steps in improving communities.
• Bebe Smith, clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work, received the Robert E. Bryan faculty award for her work as project director of Critical Time Intervention, a collaborative effort between the UNC School of Social Work and the UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health. The project helps those with mental illness who are experiencing a critical transition – from homelessness to being housed, from hospital or prison to community, or to foster engagement in mental health treatment after emergence of severe mental illness. The program meets basic needs, aids in recovery and connects participants with appropriate treatment and resources. Smith also engages with state policy makers to expand the program to fill gaps in North Carolina’s mental health and homelessness service systems.
• Domestic Violence Advocacy Project Organization received the Robert E. Bryan campus organization award for its work providing free legal services to survivors of domestic violence who seek protection orders. The Domestic Violence Action Project works closely with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Durham Crisis Response Center to foster a line of communication between law enforcement, nonprofit organizations, and University students and professors. The organization is a student-run program at the UNC School of Law in which participating students assist in filing motions for protection orders, accompanying clients to court and educating clients about court proceedings.

The Ronald W. Hyatt Rotary Public Service Awards, named for the late professor of exercise and sport science and long-time member of the Chapel Hill Rotary Club, honors innovative public service projects that represent the “service above self” motto of Rotary International. This year’s awards went to graduate student David Ball for his work with United Solar Initiative, Refugee Youth Leadership and Empowerment for youth-led community development, and Classroom to Community for training graduate students to provide health education lessons.

The Mingma Norbu Sherpa Fellowship is named for the late Mingma Norbu Sherpa, a pioneering conservationist in the Himalaya who served as an official with the World Wildlife Fund. This year’s fellowship will be presented to Andrew Koltun for his work with To the Last Drop: Water System Quality Studies in Rural Uganda. Koltun will travel to four Ugandan villages to test several springs for contaminants. The data collected will be used to decide how to mitigate contamination in the future.

The Davis Projects for Peace Award, funded by the late philanthropist Kathryn W. Davis, will be presented to seniors Nicole Fauster and Layla Quran for their work with The Unwelcome Guests: The Case of Migrant Workers in Jordan. Fauster and Quran will raise awareness of the case of migrants in Jordan through educational clinics for University of Jordan students, created to identify and build upon shared attributes between Jordanian citizens and migrant workers. The team will also create a short film consisting of interviews with migrant workers in Jordan, non-government organization workers, lawyers and activists.

In addition to these public service awards, several other groups were recognized, including five Robert E. Bryan Social Innovation Fellowship teams involving 22 students, five Community Engagement Fellowship projects created by six students and 13 North Carolina Outward Bound scholarship recipients.

• The Robert E. Bryan Social Innovation Fellowship is designed for undergraduate aspiring social change-makers who are interested in providing a significant contribution locally, nationally or internationally through the creation of an entrepreneurial project that addresses a community issue or need. Fellows receive up to $1,500 to launch their project, access to professional development funds, support from APPLES students and staff, and invaluable leadership training and personal development.
• The Community Engagement Fellowship awards up to $2,000 each year to selected graduate students to develop and implement engagement or engaged scholarship projects that employ innovative, sustainable approaches to complex social needs and have an academic connection.
• Each year, the Carolina Center for Public Service awards North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) scholarships to participants in the Buckley Public Service Scholars program, Carolina Leadership Development program and the School of Education. Recipients receive full tuition to a 28-day course at the North Carolina Outward Bound School.

By Rhonda Beatty, Carolina Center for Public Service

Published April 7, 2015

The 2015 University of North Carolina Science Expo will offer more than 100 hands-on experiments, demonstrations, behind-the scenes lab tours and computer and software explorations to celebrate the wonders of STEM.

The Expo, a signature event of the two-week North Carolina Science Festival, will be held along Cameron Avenue on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus on April 11. Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is partnering with UNC-Chapel Hill and the Town of Chapel Hill parks and recreation department to host the free event.

Scientists will discuss cutting-edge research. Archaeologists will showcase riveting artifacts. The event will also feature a giant wave pool, virtual reality experience, Google glass, robots and the Sustainability Center for green living.

UNC Science Expo is just one of more than 300 public events that are part of the North Carolina Science Festival. Click here to learn about NCSF and find more events across the state.

Published April 6, 2015.

Dear Carolina Community:

We are writing today to honor the beginning of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This month provides us with an opportunity to recognize the impact of sexual violence in our community and to challenge us to identify ways we can continue to work together to prevent it. We encourage each of you to get involved in efforts to create a safe campus community.

Throughout the year, Chancellor Folt has updated you on our progress in addressing this issue, including the adoption of a revised policy that covers sexual violence, the launch of mandatory training and the addition of new resources and support options. Events this month provide another opportunity to come together to raise awareness about sexual violence.

Campus organizations will host many programs, including events that share survivor experiences; the UNC Gender-Based Violence Research Group Mini-Conference held earlier today; a One Act bystander intervention skills training; a HAVEN training to help students and employees support survivors; a program providing the opportunity to have conversations about consent; and the Campus Connections event where students and employees can directly connect with campus resources. A full listing of events is available at http://safe.unc.edu.

Tomorrow, all students will receive an email with a link to the national sexual assault survey sponsored by the Association of American Universities (AAU). We’re one of many campuses across the country participating in the survey, which is designed to help us better understand the prevalence of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and interpersonal violence at Carolina and on other participating campuses. The information shared will help us with our future prevention and response efforts. The survey can be accessed by email from April 2 until April 22 and should take about 20 minutes to complete. Every student should participate so that we have an accurate picture of what’s happening on our campus. We hope that you will take the time to complete the survey. The AAU is also offering a small incentive for survey participants. For more information, visit http://safe.unc.edu.

The documentary “The Hunting Ground” will be shown on April 16. The screening, hosted by several campus organizations, will take place in the evening in Carroll Hall room 111. We want to encourage you to attend this important event. University and community groups will be present to discuss available resources and provide support. The time will be announced at a later date; please check the events calendar at http://safe.unc.edu.

We strongly encourage you to get involved in all of these efforts. Working together, we will continue to make progress.

Felicia A. Washington

Vice Chancellor for Workforce Strategy, Equity, and Engagement

Winston B. Crisp

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Published April 1, 2015

UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol L. Folt told the Higher Education Works Foundation that Carolina’s accessibility to all students – regardless of their background – is not only important, “I think it is part of our DNA.”

“Part of our ability to do that has been the very strong support from the state — the dollars that we get — and this aggressive determination to keep these universities strong,’’ she told the Higher Education Works Foundation in a video interview published March 31. “I think that has made our universities the envy of America. And it is so important that we continue to do that.”

Click here to watch the entire video.

Folt also previously spoke to the Foundation about the potential impact of technology and online education on the future of teaching.

Published March 31, 2015

Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most honored college honorary society, has inducted 177 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students as new members.

The recent induction ceremony featured remarks by Gene R. Nichol, the Boyd Tinsley Distinguished Professor of Law and Director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity. New members received certificates and Phi Beta Kappa keys, the organization’s symbol.

Phi Beta Kappa membership is open to undergraduates in the college and professional degree programs who meet stringent eligibility requirements.

A student who has completed 75 hours of course work in the liberal arts and sciences with a GPA of 3.85 or better (on a 4-point scale) is eligible for membership. Also eligible is any student who has completed 105 hours of course work in the liberal arts and sciences with a 3.75 GPA. Grades earned at other universities are not considered. Less than 1 percent of all college students qualify.

Past and present Phi Beta Kappa members from across the country have included 17 American presidents and numerous artistic, intellectual and political leaders. Seven of the nine U.S. Supreme Court Justices are members.

Phi Beta Kappa has 283 chapters nationwide. UNC-Chapel Hill’s chapter, Alpha of North Carolina, was founded in 1904 and is the oldest of seven chapters in the state. Each year, Phi Beta Kappa chapters and alumni associations across the country raise and distribute more than $1 million in awards, scholarships and prizes benefiting high schools and college students.

Phi Beta Kappa officers at Carolina for 2014-2015 are students Emma Zarriello, president; Izaak Earnhardt, vice president; and Ashley Cairns, recording secretary. James L. Leloudis, professor of history, associate dean for honors, and director of the James M. Johnston Center for Undergraduate Excellence, is chapter executive secretary and faculty advisor.

Listed below are 174 of the 177 inductees. Three students chose not to be listed. Of the others, 119 are from North Carolina and 55 from outside the state. The names appear below in alphabetical order by North Carolina county, then by state and country. All study in the College of Arts and Sciences except where otherwise noted.

Alamance County

Spencer Coleman Budd, a senior with a health policy and management major and mathematical decision sciences and business administration minors, of Burlington.

Becca Nichelle Conary, a senior with a communication studies major and global cinema and women’s and gender studies minors, daughter of Kristine Conary of Greensboro.

Meredith Marie Griffin, a senior with a psychology major and a medieval and early modern studies minor, daughter of Sandy Griffin, III and Betty Griffin of Burlington.

Marc Richard Gutierrez, a junior with a chemistry major, son of Joe Gutierrez and Colleen Gutierrez of Burlington.

Braxton Tiberius Rickert, a junior with a communication studies major and writing for the screen and stage and creative writing minors, son of Janice Braxton and Donald Rickert, II of Snow Camp.

Brunswick County

Jennifer Kelly Findlay Flieler, a senior with communication studies and sociology majors, daughter of Fred Flieler and Donna Findlay of Oak Island.

Buncombe County

Eric Andrew Brandt, a senior with a business administration major and an Hispanic studies minor, of Asheville.

Elizabeth Friday Hylton, a senior with dramatic art and communication studies majors and a writing for the screen and stage minor, daughter of Dr. Joel Hylton and Ms. Cynthia Hylton of London, England.

Samuel Beugnot Warner, a junior with a biomedical engineering major and physics and chemistry minors, son of John Warner and Kathryn Warner of Asheville.

Eleanor Grace Withers, a senior with global studies and Spanish majors and a public policy minor, daughter of David Withers and Sally Withers of Swannanoa.

Cabarrus County

Derek Alan Pace, a junior with political science and religious studies majors and an Arabic minor, son of Jeffrey Alan and Kimberly Pace of Midland.

Caswell County

Alex Robert Flores, a senior with a chemistry major, son of Robert Flores and Shirley Flores of Yanceyville.

Catawba County

Lana Nichole Nye, a senior with a psychology major and an anthropology minor, of Claremont.

Chowan County

Wilson Greene, IV, a senior with a religious studies major and Christianity and culture and history minors, son of Wilson Greene, III and Patricia Greene of Edenton.

Cleveland County

Jared Parker Scruggs, a junior with psychology and Portuguese majors and a mathematical decision sciences minor, son of Richard Scruggs and Tammy Scruggs of Shelby.

Craven County

Abby Jean Gerdes, a spring 2014 graduate with an English major and a composition, rhetoric, and digital literacy minor, daughter of Kim Gerdes and Michael Gerdes of New Bern.

Cumberland County

Meredith Frances Shutt, a senior with an English major and creative writing and women’s and gender studies minors, daughter of James Shutt and Sally Shutt of Wade.

Megan Elizabeth Villegas, a junior with a psychology major and a biology minor, daughter of Pamela Villegas of Fayetteville.

Duplin County

Chandler Thomas Fry, a senior with an English major and a creative writing minor, son of Dr. Richard Fry and Susan Fry of Beulaville.

Durham County

Arthur Cade Barefoot, a junior with philosophy and anthropology majors and a women’s and gender studies minor, of Durham.

Jacob Ellis Bogerd, a junior with computer science and mathematics majors, of Durham.

Justin Alexander Keever, a senior with a communication studies major and a global cinema minor, son of Daniel Keever and Diana Keever of Durham.

Meredith Bronwen Kimple, a senior with English and dramatic art majors and a creative writing minor, daughter of Jay Kimple and Julie Kimple of Durham.

Katherine Anne Koller, a senior with a psychology major and a speech and hearing sciences minor, daughter of Suzanne Koller and the late Dr. Robert Koller of Durham.

Mariel Beth Murray, a senior with exercise and sport science and psychology majors, daughter of Greg Murray and Deb Murray of Chapel Hill.

Forsyth County

Madeline McCleary Gillon, a senior with an anthropology major and a medical anthropology minor, daughter of John Gillon and Eanne Gillon of Lewisville.

Katelyn Rose Jones, a senior with a psychology major and a creative writing minor, daughter of Mary Jones and Gary Jones of Winston-Salem.

CrysAne Alexus McCallum, a senior with a psychology major and education and social and economic justice minors, daughter of Scott McCallum and Sandy McCallum of Westerville, OH.

Kasey Ruth Skinner, a junior with a biochemistry major, daughter of Lynn Skinner and John Skinner of Clemmons.

Matthew Wynne Spangler, a junior with a history major and chemistry and Spanish minors, son of Dr. John Spangler and Mary Spangler of Winston-Salem.

Gaston County

James Bridgman Collier, a senior with an English major and a creative writing minor, of Gastonia.

Katherine Taylor Spencer, a senior with history and political science majors and a Southern studies minor, of Gastonia.

Greene County

Lonnie Wayne Carraway, Jr., a senior with peace, war, and defense and history majors and an Arabic minor, of Walstonburg.

Guilford County

Allison Renee Baker, a junior with a biology major and chemistry and music minors, daughter of Reid Baker, III and Karen Baker.

Eric P. Boyers, a junior with physics and mathematics majors, son of Patricia Boyers of High Point, NC and Brian Boyers of Ramseur, NC.

Evelyn Alexandra Ford, a junior with an education major and history and philosophy, politics, and economics minors, daughter of John Ford and Sylvia Ford of Kernersville.

Amanda Marie Kubic, a junior with comparative literature and classics majors and a social and economic justice minor, daughter of Carol Kubic and James Kubic of Summerfield.

Jacob Roland Rosenberg, a junior with public policy and American studies majors, son of Barbara Demarest.

Andrew James Saintsing, a junior with biology and chemistry majors, son of Jim Saintsing and Lisa Saintsing of Greensboro.

Jerrold Mente Zuraw, a senior with a dramatic art major and a history minor, son of Benjamin Zuraw and Ann Zuraw of Greensboro.

Haywood County

Andrew Alan Dinwiddie, a senior with a history major and a music minor, of Waynesville.

Hertford County

South A. Moore, a senior with a political science major and a social and economic justice minor, son of Dr. Danny Moore and Lynne Moore of Murfreesboro.

Iredell County

Travis Dean Corriher, a senior with biology and chemistry majors and a Spanish for the professions minor, son of Terry Corriher and Tamara Corriher of Mooresville.

Corinne Celeste Goudreault, a senior with anthropology and English majors, daughter of Adrienne Goudreault and Phil Goudreault of Mooresville.

Samuel Alexander Slattery, a junior with chemistry and mathematics majors, son of Peter Slattery and Kelley Stallery of Mooresville.

Jackson County

Connor James Davis, a junior with quantitative biology and English majors and a physics minor, of Cullowhee.

Lee County

Taylor Jane Bryant, a senior with an English major and creative writing and speech and hearing sciences minors, daughter of Chan Bryant and Jennifer Bryant of Sanford.

Lenoir County

Daniel James Irvin, a junior with public policy and philosophy majors and an environmental science and studies minor, son of Dr. Steve Irvin and Carol Irvin of Kinston.

Mecklenburg County

William Perry Almquist, a junior with chemistry and history majors and a business administration minor, son of Dr. Robert Almquist and Dr. Perry Almquist of Charlotte.

Imani Maya Augustus, a senior with political science and sociology majors, of Charlotte.

Michael Alexander Basse, a senior with economics and mathematics majors, of Charlotte.

Katharine Wood Batchelor, a senior with history and geography majors and a business administration minor, daughter of Robert Batchelor and Beth Batchelor of Charlotte.

Abigail Banner Cooksey, a senior with history and American studies majors, daughter of Allyson Cooksey of Charlotte.

Derrick Flakoll, a junior with public policy and peace, war, and defense majors and a philosophy, politics, and economics minor, of Charlotte.

Marc Rene Gonzalez, a junior with a chemistry major and a biology minor, son of Rene Gonzalez and Marta Gonzalez of Charlotte.

Patrick James Hahn, a junior with computer science and mathematical decision sciences majors, son of Jammie Hahn and Mark Hahn of Charlotte.

Victoria Lynn Hughes, a senior with mathematics and economics majors, daughter of Suzanne Hughes and Webster Hughes of Charlotte.

Zoe Rachel Kronovet, a senior with an art history major, daughter of Cary Bernstein and Alan Kronovet of Charlotte.

Steven Kyle Kufert, a junior with biology and psychology majors and a chemistry minor, of Charlotte.

Debanjali Upasana Kundu, a junior with a health policy and management major and business administration and chemistry minors, daughter of Dr. Kebabrata Kundu and Madhuchhanda Kundu of Charlotte.

Harold Brent McKnight, Jr., a junior with history and global studies majors and a philosophy, politics, and economics minor, son of Brent McKnight and Beth McKnight of Charlotte.

Robert David Price, a senior with a biology major, of Huntersville.

Laura Lewis Shintay, a senior with a business administration major, daughter of Peter Shintay and Mary Shintay of Charlotte.

Madelyn Nicole Usher, a senior with a political science major and a public policy minor, daughter of Kathy Usher and Gary Usher of Charlotte.

Katharine Kelly Yost, a senior with political science and communication studies majors, daughter of Daniel Yost and Elizabeth Yost of Charlotte.

Moore County

Maura Elizabeth Thornton, a senior with biology and Hispanic literature and cultures majors and a chemistry minor, daughter of Ann Marie Thornton and Dr. David Thornton of Vass.

Nash County

Tyler Davis Blanton, a junior with physics and applied mathematics majors, son of Lee Blanton and Laurel Blanton of Rocky Mount.

Emma Anne Park, a junior with economics and global studies majors and an information systems minor, daughter of Dr. Frederick Park and Melanie Marshall-Park of Rocky Mount.

Orange County

Helena Irene Archer, a senior with a health policy and management major and creative writing and French minors, daughter of Trevor Archer and Janet Archer of Chapel Hill.

Zachary Benjamin Gossett, a spring 2014 graduate with a music major and a German minor, son of John Gossett of Chapel Hill.

Hana Khalil Haidar, a senior with English and sociology majors and an Hispanic studies minor, daughter of Joumana Haidar and Khalil Haidar of Chapel Hill.

Jonathan Hebert, a senior with economics and public policy majors, of Chapel Hill.

Michael P. Jushchuk, a junior with a mathematical decision sciences major, son of Dr. Leslie Bunce and Michael Jushchuk of Chapel Hill.

Joshua Arthur Hilton Lewis, a junior with a mathematics major and a mathematical decision sciences minor, son of Bruce Lewis and Kim Lewis of Clayton.

Mary Clare Mazzocchi, a spring 2014 graduate with an American studies major and creative writing and philosophy minors, of Chapel Hill.

Sarah Lee Molina, a junior with an art history major and a philosophy, politics, and economics minor, daughter of Dr. Paul Molina and Grace Molina of Chapel Hill.

Anna Noone, a senior with history and political science majors and an Arabic minor, daughter of Dr. Peadar Noone and Dr. Eithne Burke of Carrboro.

Maggie Rae Poole, a senior with a dramatic art major and a music minor, daughter of Gary Poole of Charlotte, NC and Edie Poole of Goldsboro, NC.

Jake Rohde, a junior with philosophy and classics majors, son of Marshall Rohde and Rebecca Rohde of Chapel Hill.

Andrew Steffensen Romaine, a senior with a biology major and exercise and sport science and chemistry minors, son of Susan Romaine and Craig Romaine of Chapel Hill.

Andrea Nicole Stewart, a junior with an environmental sciences major and computer science and geography minors, daughter of Randy Stewart and Anne Stewart of Hillsborough.

Fareeda M. Zikry, a senior with global studies and political science majors and an Arabic minor, daughter of Mona Razik and Mohammed Zikry of Chapel Hill.

Pasquotank County

Robert Isaac Harris, a junior with mathematics and economics majors and an environmental science and studies minor, son of Steve Harris and Robin Harris of Elizabeth City.

Pitt County

Olivia Catherine Frere, a senior with a business administration major and a Chinese minor, daughter of Susan Frere and Robert Frere of Greenville.

Anna Holliday Ormond, a senior with sociology and communication studies majors and a women’s and gender studies minor, daughter of Herb Ormond and Martha-Duke Ormond of Greenville.

Wake County

Kendall Adrianne Bagley, a junior with a biology major and computer science and chemistry minors, daughter of Michael Bagley and Elaine Bagley of Cary.

Daniel Gadsden Barrus, a senior with psychology and English majors, son of William Barrus and Claire Barrus of Cary.

Allison Scott Bonner, a spring 2013 graduate with music and communication studies majors, daughter of Gayle Bonner and Edward Bonner of Raleigh.

Mary Grayson Sterrett Brook, a senior with a German literature and culture major, daughter of Dr. David Brook and Ashley Brook of Raleigh.

Morgan Eileen Burke, a senior with political science and history majors, daughter of Cheryl Burke and Kevin Burke of Raleigh.

Joseph Michael Calder, Jr., a junior with religious studies and global studies majors and an Arabic minor, son of Joseph Calder, Sr. and Tracy Calder of Bronxville, NY.

Yasemin Canan Cole, a junior with a biology major and a medical anthropology minor, daughter of Gary Cole and Firuzan Ekinci-Cole of Raleigh.

Nicole Grace Curtis, a senior with a classics major and a mathematics minor, of Raleigh.

Matthew Fay, a junior with a biochemistry major, of Raleigh.

Lorelei Claudette Feeny, a junior with a biology major and a French minor, daughter of Thomas Feeny and Cornelia Feeny of Raleigh.

Teresa Josephine Frasca, a senior with a psychology major and a global cinema minor, daughter of James Frasca and Angela Frasca of Apex.

Larry Han, a junior with biostatistics and mathematics majors and a chemistry minor, son of Dr. Bajin Han and Xiaomin Li of Raleigh.

Pranav Nagaraj Haravu, a junior with mathematics and quantitative biology majors and a chemistry minor, son of Shailaja Mallur and Nagaraj Haravu of Raleigh.

Nicholas Li-wen Hatcher, a sophomore with mathematics and anthropology majors, of Cary.

Grace Elizabeth Jackson, a senior with a psychology major and a geography minor, daughter of Neil Jackson and Janie Jackson of Raleigh.

Laurel Ann Keefer, a junior with biology and chemistry majors and a religious studies minor, daughter of Donald Keefer and Lynn Keefer of Raleigh.

Alexander Goto Keith, a senior with business administration and history majors, son of Russell Keith and Mari Keith of Raleigh.

Brian Lim, a junior with peace, war, and defense and economics majors, of Raleigh.

Zachary J Padgett, a junior with peace, war, and defense and global studies majors and an Arabic minor, son of Teresa Stephenson and Zac Stephenson of Rolesville.

Marilee Michelle Protonentis, a senior with global studies and communication studies majors, daughter of Louis Protonentis and Brenda Protonentis.

Megan Elizabeth Przybyla, a senior with communication studies and history majors and a English minor, daughter of Steven Przybyla and Joy Przybyla of Raleigh.

Mallory Anne Rabon, a senior with communication studies and psychology majors and a Hispanic studies minor, of Cary.

Jessica M Robinson, a junior with an environmental sciences major and a mathematical decision sciences minor, of Cary.

Carson Elizabeth Rouse, a junior with archaeology and history majors and an education minor, daughter of Hal Rouse and Pam Rouse of Raleigh.

William Christopher Stelpflug, a junior with peace, war, and defense and economics majors, son of Joseph Stelpflug and Catherine Stelpflug of Raleigh.

Angela Marie Taylor, a senior with a comparative literature major and a French minor, of Raleigh.

Mary Kaitlyn Tsai, a junior with a biochemistry major and biology and medical anthropology minors, daughter of Beth Tsai and Jeff Tsai of Apex.

Brenna Renee Yellin, a senior with history and German studies majors, daughter of Gary Yellin and the late Amelita Yellin of Cary.

Watauga County

Joseph Michael Nenow, a senior with a biochemistry major and a biology minor, of Boone.

Wayne County

Anastazja Harris, a junior with psychology and communication studies majors, daughter of C. R. Harris and Pam Harris of Goldsboro.

Marques Ray McPhail, a junior with a political science major and public policy and philosophy, politics, and economics minors, son of Melinda Coley and Bill Coley of Goldsboro.

Wilkes County

Mitchell Garrison Nash, a senior with a biology major and a chemistry minor, son of Dr. Gary Nash and Elise Nash of Wilkesboro.

Nandan Pradip Thakkar, a junior with biology and economics majors and a chemistry minor, son of Jagruti Thakkar and Pradip Thakkar of Mooresville.

Yancey County

Graham Bryce Morgan, a senior with history and political science majors, son of Dr. Chris Morgan of Burnsville.

Alabama

Ellery Nicholas Beard, a junior with cultural studies and philosophy majors and a German minor, son of Leslie Beard and Randy Beard of Auburn.

Catherine Keller, a senior with a biology major and a chemistry minor, daughter of Dr. Jay Keller and Dee Keller of Decatur, IL.

Nathan Lewis Smith, a junior with philosophy and cultural studies majors and a German minor, son of Bret Smith and Stephanie Christman of Auburn.

California

Lane Parker Jacobson, a senior with English and anthropology majors, son of Bud Duggan and Julie Jacobson of Bishop.

Sarah Glenn Thompson, a senior with philosophy and American studies majors, of San Francisco.

Frank Wu, a senior with business administration and global studies majors, son of Sean Wu and Lan Shen of El Dorado Hills.

Colorado

Miles Joseph Owens, a senior with history and philosophy majors, son of Kevin Owens and Jeannette Owens of Denver.

Connecticut

Nicole Davis, a junior with anthropology and peace, war, and defense majors, daughter of Gary Davis and Sherri Davis of Chapel Hill, NC.

Jorian Frederick Hoover, a senior with an economics major and an education minor, son of Douglas Hoover and Arlette de Koning of Glastonbury.

District of Columbia

Olivia Jane Abrecht, a senior with American studies and political science majors and an Hispanic studies minor, daughter of Janet Shenk and Stephen Abrecht of Washington.

Florida

Jessica Grace Cabrera, a senior with sociology and women’s and gender studies majors, daughter of Jane Cabrera and Nelson Cabrera of Pembroke Pines.

Jacob Rhys Higdon, a junior with a global studies major and Arabic and city and regional planning minors, of Jacksonville.

Juan David Olano, a senior with a political science major and entrepreneurship and philosophy minors, son of German Olano and Maria Olano of Miami.

Georgia

Dakota Anne Foard, a senior with psychology and political science majors, daughter of Gene Foard and Richard Foard of Atlanta.

Alexandra Gunnells, a senior with English and women’s and gender studies majors and a social and economic justice minor, daughter of Victoria Gunnells and David Gunnells of Marietta.

Ellen Katherine Lesser, a senior with a business administration major and English and Spanish for the professions minors, daughter of Craig Lesser and Nancy Lesser of Atlanta.

Luke William Neenan, a senior with business administration and history majors, son of Garth Neenan and Susan Neenan of Alpharetta.

Illinois

Nicholas L Brenner, a senior with a business administration major and politics, philosophy, and economics and Spanish minors, son of George Brenner and Linda Limper-Brenner of Glenview.

Allie Madonia, a senior with a business administration major and a writing for the screen and stage minor, daughter of Karen Madonia and Joe Madonia of Naperville.

Kentucky

Nicholas Kalani Neuteufel, a junior with a political science major, son of Werner Neuteufel and Lizz Neuteufel of Louisville.

Louisiana

Cheney Behrens Gardner, a senior with journalism and mass communication and global studies majors, of New Orleans.

Massachusetts

Kate Elizabeth Griffin, a senior with English and history majors, daughter of Michael Griffin and Annette Griffin of Swansea.

James Scott Williams, a junior with economics and Asian studies majors and a mathematical decision sciences minor, son of Scott Williams and Elisabeth Williams of North Andover.

Maryland

Madison Averill, a senior with a mathematics major and a history minor, of Gaithersburg.

Justin Brett Jones, a senior with political science and economics majors and a music minor, son of Steve Jones and Robin Jones of Sykesville.

Lindsey Stafford Kellogg, a senior with a global studies major and an environmental science and studies minor, of Annapolis.

Michelle Rebecca Kramer, a junior with exercise and sports science and psychology majors and a biology minor, of Montgomery Village.

Matthew Thomas Sherman, a senior with business administration and economics majors, of Annapolis.

Ross McNeill Slaughter, a senior with comparative literature and romance languages majors, son of Eleanor Smith and James Slaughter of Bethesda.

Minnesota

Charles Jay Shapiro, a senior with economics and business administration majors and a computer science minor, son of Lawrence Shapiro and Michelle Shapiro of St. Louis Park.

New Hampshire

Melanie B Yeames, a senior with psychology and economics majors, daughter of Francie Ammon of Barbados and Richard Yeames of Concord, NH.

New Jersey

Anagha Gogate, a senior with economics and public policy majors, of North Brunswick.

Sean O’Neill, a senior with a biology major and chemistry and exercise and sport science minors, son of Mike O’Neill and Janice O’Neill of Washington Township.

New York

Kaja Teresa Coraor, a junior with a computer science major and a mathematical decision sciences minor, daughter of Dr. John Coraor and Dr. Hanna Nekvasil of Huntington.

Sarah Niss, a senior with political science and global studies majors and an Hispanic studies minor, daughter of Barbara Niss and Michael Niss of Rye.

Julianna Lee Wessler, a junior with sociology and women’s and gender studies majors, daughter of Mary DiGiovanna of Smithtown.

Coco Nell Wilder, a senior with a history major and a creative writing minor, daughter of Jean Coco and Stanley Wilder of Baton Rouge, LA.

Andrew Jonathan Wood, a senior with business administration and chemistry majors and a biology minor, son of David Wood and Susan Wood of Bellmore.

Ohio

Benjamin John Kompa, a sophomore with mathematics and computer science majors and a chemistry minor, son of John Kompa, Jr. and Natalie Kompa of Columbus.

Emily Levinson Kukura, a senior with mathematics and philosophy majors, daughter of Laurie Levinson and Michael Kukura of Bay Village.

Kyle Henry McKnight, a junior with a biology major and a chemistry minor, son of Leslie McKnight and Jonathan McKnight of Chagrin Falls.

Jennifer Taylor Wajahn, a spring 2014 graduate with a nutrition major and a chemistry minor, daughter of Dan Wajahn and Sally Wajahn.

Pennsylvania

John M Sincavage, a junior with a quantitative biology major and computer science and chemistry minors, of Malvern.

Texas

Sarah Jane Bassett, a senior with chemistry and Spanish majors and a biology minor, daughter of Jane Bassett and Paul Bassett of Austin.

Rachel Ann Harris, a senior with a chemistry major, daughter of Terri Harris and Gary Harris of Houston.

Colin Jacob Kantor, a junior with Slavic and East European languages and peace, war, and defense majors and a history minor, son of Mark Kantor and Katherine Kantor of Keller.

Virginia

Elizabeth Crenshaw Chase, a junior with a history major, daughter of Benjamin Chase and Sarah Breedin Chase of Fredericksburg.

Sarah Rebecca McShane, a junior with biology and chemistry majors, daughter of William McShane and Amy McShane of Vienna.

Michael Scott Taylor, a junior with a chemistry major, son of Beth Taylor and Dan Taylor of Lynchburg.

Austria

Stephan Franz Grabner, a senior with a philosophy major and anthropology and philosophy, politics, and economics minors, of Vienna.

China

Longxuan Wang, a junior with mathematical decision sciences and economics majors, son of Changsheng Wang and Lixin Shao of Zhengzhou.

Putianqi Wang, a junior with a chemistry major, daughter of Xiaoxiang Wang and Yu Tao of Hangzhou.

Colombia

Esteban Socarras, a senior with economics and global studies majors and a French minor, son of Alfonso Socarras and Beatriz Riascos of Asheville, NC.

Singapore

Zhiyi Joycelyn Su, a junior with economics and global studies majors, daughter of Chiang Liang Soh and Zhao Jin.

South Korea

Matthew John Cha Booth, a senior with a music major, son of Dr. Paul Booth and Adele Cappucci Booth of Gaithersburg, MD.

Published March 30, 2015.

Carolina Performing Arts Executive Director Emil Kang addressed UNC-Chapel Hill’s Board of Trustees on Thursday and talked about CPA’s overall longstanding strategy to integrate the arts into the curriculum.

Please click here to watch the replay.

The UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees is asking the campus community to submit thoughts and ideas about a request to rename Saunders Hall and the larger question of fully understanding the University’s 221-year-old history.

This outreach is part of the trustees’ months-long effort to seek input from the Carolina community. In May 2014, the board welcomed the opportunity to hear students’ concerns about Saunders Hall. Trustees explained the University’s current naming policy and committed to follow up that has since included researching the issues and gathering facts. Trustees have listened to a wide range of interested people – current and former campus leaders, alumni, student groups, faculty, historians and policy experts – during hundreds of conversations.

Now the trustees are encouraging students, faculty and staff and alumni to visit http://bot.unc.edu/comments/ to submit their thoughts and ideas through April 25, 2015. Each submission, which will be made via a web-based form, should include:

• Your name and affiliation with the University;
• A rationale for your idea, any relevant facts and details about how the trustees and the University would implement your idea.

All submissions are subject to public disclosure since UNC-Chapel Hill is a public institution.

Alston Gardner, vice chair of the Board of Trustees and chair of its University Affairs Committee, announced the new feedback initiative on March 25, 2015. To view a PowerPoint presentation summarizing how the board has engaged on the renaming issue, click here.

“Our board wants to encourage discussion of our history generally and building names more specifically,” Gardner said. “Our students have raised important concerns. We have been listening carefully over the past several months, and now we want to make sure that anyone in our campus community with thoughts and ideas has the opportunity to share them as we continue our deliberation process.”

Gardner and Trustees Lowry Caudill, board chair, and Chuck Duckett, vice chair of the University Affairs Committee, described the board’s objective of finding a comprehensive, long-term solution reflecting Carolina’s values in a Feb. 25 Daily Tar Heel letter to the editor. Click here to review.

Published March 25, 2015