ESPN’s First Take will broadcast live from the FPG Student Union at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on Tuesday, a day ahead of the Carolina at Duke men’s basketball game.

Hosts Skip Bayless, Stephen A. Smith and Cari Champion will be there, along with Rameses, the Carolina cheerleaders, the pep band and special guests.

Students are invited to wear their Carolina blue and be a part of the show’s audience. Seating will be limited to about 450 seats and will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students may begin lining up at 7:30 a.m. in the West Lounge of the Carolina Union. Doors to the Great Hall, where the show will broadcast, will open at 8:30 a.m. Students must show their UNC One Card to get into the Great Hall and then will be given a wristband to get into the event.

Students will not be allowed to bring signs, backpacks or liquids into the Great Hall.

The show broadcasts from 10 a.m. to noon. Students will not be required to stay for the entire broadcast. They will be allowed to leave before the show begins or during commercial breaks. As people leave, others waiting in line will be allowed to come into the room.

Follow along with the hashtag #UNCFirstTake.

Published February 13, 2015.

While many tributes for UNC-Chapel Hill basketball coach Dean Smith have focused on his unparalleled record on the court, a group of Carolina students came together Tuesday night to celebrate Smith as a champion for civil rights.

Dozens huddled together in the cold at a memorial outside the basketball arena that bears Smith’s name and read passages from his book, The Carolina Way. They also recalled stories of how he worked to integrate Chapel Hill restaurants and ensure that all people were treated equally, no matter the color of their skin.

“I wanted to make sure that the minority community was aware of that and had the chance to mourn that loss,” student organizer Ashley Winkfield said. “Dean Smith was an amazing, incredible man. … There was so much more to him as a person than just (basketball).”

Winkfield worked with students from the Black Student Movement, the UNC NAACP and the National Pan-Hellenic Council to organize the event.

“His civil rights accomplishments are very near and dear to our communities and I feel like he should be honored for these accomplishments, as well as the ones on the court,” BSM president Trey Mangum said. “I feel like it’s noteworthy to show that we have a civil rights hero here who definitely did a lot for people of color at this university.”

UNC’s Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer Taffye Benson Clayton was among the speakers at the vigil, and shared how the values Smith learned as a child shaped his worldview as an adult.

“Whether it was taking a black theology student to the segregated restaurant where the basketball team ate its pre-game meals or assisting a black grad student in buying a house in an all-white Chapel Hill neighborhood in 1965, Dean Smith cared,” Clayton said. “Dean Smith acted.”

Winkfield closed the vigil by encouraging the students who attended to act in the same ways Smith did, and to seek positive change wherever possible.

“Let us honor his truth and the values he lived by,” she said.

By Philip Jones, Office of Communications and Public Affairs

Published February 12, 2015

The campus community is invited to a vigil this (Feb. 11) evening to honor the three young people who died yesterday evening. At 6:30 p.m. in the Pit, Triangle university and community leaders are coming together to remember the departed. Sadly, Deah Barakat, a student in the School of Dentistry, and his wife, Yusor Abu-Salha, who had planned to begin her dental studies at Carolina next fall, were killed last night, along with Yusor’s sister, Razan Abu-Salha, an undergraduate at North Carolina State University.

The vigil is designed to celebrate and honor the lives of these three students and appeal to the communities for calm. Attendees will include Imam Abdullah Antepli, the Chief Representative of Muslim Affairs at Duke University, with Chancellor Carol L. Folt, N.C. State Chancellor Randy Woodson, N.C. Central Chancellor Debra Saunders-White, Duke University Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta, UNC President Tom Ross, School of Dentistry Dean Jane Weintraub and Chapel Hill Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt.

As a show of unity, students from N.C. State, N.C. Central and Duke universities have been invited and are expected to attend, along with the UNC-Chapel Hill community.

Before the vigil, at 6 p.m., a prayer service will be held in the Great Hall of the Carolina Union. Both Muslim and non-Muslim members of the community are invited (the event will be closed to the news media).

A separate event previously announced to be held at the Peace and Justice Plaza downtown (the old Chapel Hill Post Office) has been incorporated into the Pit event.

Parking will be available in the Bell Tower lot.

Published February 11, 2015

Seal the Seasons, a for-profit social enterprise founded by students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, won the $50,000 2015 SECU Emerging Issues Prize for Innovation February 10 by the Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) at North Carolina State University. The contest challenged student teams at North Carolina’s two- and four- year colleges and universities to creatively address social, economic and health issues affecting the state.

Canopy Scientific from Duke University was the first runner-up, receiving a $25,000 prize.

Seal the Seasons co-founders Patrick Mateer and William Chapman entered the contest with a plan to increase the amount of locally produced food in mainstream supply chains in North Carolina. They also want to create markets for USDA Grade B produce and eliminate food deserts by chopping, flash freezing and distributing blemished produce.

“Flash freezing is an innovative way to introduce healthy food into the food retail market because the quick freezing method prevents spoilage and allows the nutritional quality of fruits and vegetables to be retained for up to one year,” Mateer said. “The method extends the seasonal availability of produce beyond the harvest season, and freezing equipment allows produce to be frozen on a large scale.”

Seal the Seasons was co-founded in the fall of 2013 by Daniella Uslan, Patrick Mateer, and William Chapman. After participating in the Launching the Venture course at the Kenan-Flagler Business School, in January 2014 Seal the Seasons was admitted into CUBE, the social innovation start-up incubator located in the Campus Y at UNC Chapel Hill. CUBE has since provided Seal the Seasons with legal assistance, one-on-one mentoring and $5,000 of seed funding, CUBE Director Mathilde Verdier said.

Seal the Seasons also received $2,000 in support from the Carolina Center for Public Service as a Community Engagement Fellowship in 2014.

Mateer said the $50,000 prize money will allow the organization to transition from initial production to longer term sustainability by bolstering the production capacity required to meaningfully impact the local food market.

By Tom Sowders, Campus Y

 

No. 3 North Carolina has staked its claim as the top women’s tennis program in the nation with its second ITA National Team Indoor Championship in the last three years, winning 4-1 over No. 9 Georgia in Monday’s finale from the Boar’s Head Sports Club in Charlottesville, Va.

Senior Caroline Price, who came so close to giving UNC the NCAA title last May, earned the winning point on court three, outlasting Kennedy Shaffer in three sets – 6-1, 2-6, 7-5. Tied 40-40, Price broke Shaffer when her forehand came up short by hitting the net, setting off a jubilant celebration for the Tar Heels.

“They’re just amazing fighters,” said North Carolina head coach Brian Kalbas. “It looked like we were in control and then Georgia turned it around and it looked like we were in trouble in some spots. You could see the momentum switching. Caroline and Jamie (Loeb) and everybody just kept fighting and I’m just real proud of the effort. Fourth day, everybody’s tired. It’s just amazing to see what people can do when they push themselves to the limit.”

North Carolina (9-0) led 3-0 after straight-set victories from Hayley Carter and Whitney Kay on courts two and four, respectively, displaying the same form that helped the Tar Heels cruise into the finals with three lopsided victories on consecutive days over Oklahoma State, Miami and second-seeded Florida.

Carter rolled to a 6-3, 6-2 win over Ellen Perez, while Kay, the junior that clinched the 2013 indoor title over UCLA, earned a 6-4, 6-3 win on Monday against Silvia Garcia.

It was nearly a third-consecutive shutout victory by the Tar Heels when eighth-ranked Jamie Loeb served for championship on court one, but the 2014 ITA National Player of the Year lost the point and the second set to No. 19 Lauren Herring.

Read more at GoHeels.com.

Published Feb. 9, 2014.

As the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey spends a majority of his time discussing the tactical issues of the military.

But Feb. 6 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the highest-ranking military officer in the U.S. military was more interested in a creating a conversation to “take stock in America.”

“I come to venues like this as much to learn as to contribute to your learning, “ Dempsey said. “That is why I really want this to be a conversation.”

The Triangle Institute for Security studies and UNC-Chapel Hill’s curriculum in peace, war, and defense sponsored the forum, which was held at the Genome Sciences Building. Nearly 400 people, including Chancellor Carol L. Folt, attended the hour-long question-and-answer lecture.

“This event is very much in keeping with UNC-Chapel Hill’s very long history of respect, of admiration and of support for American soldiers,” Folt said.

Dempsey, a graduate of U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Duke University, is the senior military advisor to the president, secretary of defense and the National Security Council. During his 40-year Army career, Dempsey has held various positions including acting commander of U.S. Central Command and 37th chief of staff of the Army.

“We are very pleased to welcome General Martin Dempsey here,” said Wayne Lee, chair of the curriculum in peace, war and defense.

While spending a majority of the hour answering questions on topics ranging from the troop drawdown and budget constraints to current military strategy and women in the military, Dempsey discussed the need to examine our own society in order to answer questions of war and peace.

“There are plenty of tactical questions that generally are debated and debated and debated,” Dempsey said. “But what I hope what we’re interested in is ‘Who are we as a nation?’ ”

By Brandon Bieltz, Office of Communications and Public Affairs

Published February 9, 2015

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill mourns the death of Dean Smith, Carolina’s beloved and admired basketball coach from 1961 to 1997. He was widely known as a leader on the court, throughout the Carolina community and across the country.

“The Carolina family lost a cherished member today,” said Chancellor Carol L. Folt. “Over the next few days, people around the world will pause to remember Coach Smith, honor his legacy and grieve his passing. We can find solace in knowing that because of his leadership on and off the court, the world is a better and more accepting place.

“Everyone who knew Coach Smith has stories to share about his kindness to others and his love for Carolina. He was truly a giant who lived a life that was an inspiration to so many, and the love they gave back was heartfelt and genuine. I hope his wife, Linnea, and his family are feeling the warm embrace of all who loved him.”

A teacher and humanitarian, Smith was an outspoken advocate for equality and fairness in collegiate athletics and civic affairs. On the court, he brought standout player Charles Scott to Chapel Hill in 1966 as the University’s first African American scholarship athlete, essentially introducing diversity to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Off the court, Smith was active in the local Civil Rights movement and pushed local business owners to open their doors to everyone. Over the many decades of coaching, more than 95 percent of his lettermen graduated.

“Coach Smith was always so much more than a brilliant basketball strategist,” said Lowry Caudill, chair of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Board of Trustees. “He was a father figure to his players, a loyal friend to his associates, a compassionate humanitarian who championed equality, and a strong advocate for the importance of education. He cared about others more than himself. He will forever be remembered as a giant in the history of our great University. We are grateful to his wife, Linnea, and his family for sharing him with all of us for so many years.”

Smith’s philosophy, faith and talent brought acclaim and respect to the University. Beyond championships, Smith received many individual awards, most recently the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013, the nation’s highest civilian honor, for his humanitarian legacy. Yet Smith – a selfless, humble and private man – was always the first to remind people that the real credit for his career went to those around him: his players, coaches, staff and colleagues.

“We lost a man of the highest integrity who did so many things off the court to help make the world a better place to live in,” said UNC head basketball coach Roy Williams, who had played for and coached under Smith. “He was the greatest there ever was on the court but far, far better off the court with people. His concern for people will be the legacy I will remember most.

Carolina Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham echoed Williams’ sentiment. “Dean Smith was a legendary Hall of Fame coach who will long be remembered as an innovator in the game of basketball and a pioneer for social justice. His legacy will always be a part of the University of North Carolina and will continue to inspire students for generations to come.”

Folt said the University community was grateful to Smith for dedicating so much of his life to enriching Carolina in many ways. “His dedication to opening doors for all people to achieve their goals contributed to UNC’s reputation for achievement in academics and in life,” she said. “From his very public coaching successes to his quiet support of programs and people at UNC and beyond, he advanced this great public university and what it stands for. As deeply as the Carolina family feels his loss, we know his family and close friends feel it more intensely. I extend our collective gratitude to Coach Smith, and send wishes of comfort and peace to his family and close friends.”

The Atlantic Coast Conference has suggested that ACC schools observe a moment of silence at their next home men’s basketball games, perhaps prior to the playing of the national anthem.

Plans for a public celebration of Smith’s life and memorial gifts will be announced separately.

Published Feb. 8, 2014.

Former Tar Heel basketball coach Dean Smith passed away at age 83 on Feb. 7. Click here for a photo gallery of classic images of the iconic Carolina coach, from goheels.com.

GoHeels.com is collecting fan memories of former head coach Dean Smith.  Send your favorite memories and goheels.com will publish some of the best of them in the coming days.

Send your memories to:  deansmithmemories@gmail.com.

Published February 8, 2015

More than 6,200 candidates from a record first-deadline pool of 17,149 were offered admission to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Fall 2015 entering class last week. The pool was 1 percent larger than last year, marking the third year in a row that Carolina has set a record for the number of first-deadline applicants. Early action applicants from North Carolina increased by 3 percent over last year.

A total of 31,929 students (first and second deadline) have applied for first-year admission, setting the tenth consecutive record of first-year applications at UNC-Chapel Hill. Decisions for second-deadline applicants will be released by the end of March. The University expects 4,000 new first-year students to enroll in August.

“Every year our admitted students amaze and inspire us through their accomplishments inside the classroom and far beyond,” said Stephen Farmer, Vice Provost of Enrollment and Undergraduate Admissions. “The personal qualities of our admitted students are as impressive as their academic credentials, and we look forward to working with them to make a difference in the life of University and the lives of the people of North Carolina, the nation and the world.”

Accomplishments by the 6,235 admitted students include:

• Winning regional, state, and national awards for debating, acting, writing, mathematics, science and athletics
• Conducting research at other leading national universities and publishing work in national journals
• Earning rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scout Gold Award
• Founding organizations to educate schools and communities about environmental sustainability
• Inventing a hand-held detector for blood iron (patent pending)
• Leading chapters of Future Business Leaders of America and Distributive Education Centers of America and placing in local and national competitions
• Founding entrepreneurship and investment clubs at schools
• Launching online businesses such as the delivery of all-natural snack foods
• Leading efforts to educate classmates about gender equality, diversity and anti-bullying
• Founding mentorship program in community for at-risk nine-graders
• Creating an organization to educate senior citizens about new technologies
• Raising $132,000 in three years for local charities
• Starting library for homeless children

Eighty-four percent of all admitted students who reported a rank are ranked in the top 10 percent of their class. Half of all admitted students are ranked in the top 10 students of their high school class.

The first student to enroll, just fifteen minutes after decisions were released last Wednesday, was Daniel Wang of Charlotte, N.C., an Ardrey Kell High School senior, who plans to major in Business Administration. “I made my decision to enroll at Carolina the summer before I applied,” said Wang. “Being accepted into the Kenan-Flagler School of Business would be a dream come true for me. The connections I will make here will lead me to great opportunities, and down the road I hope to find great opportunities for others.”

Through the Common Application students report their extracurricular activities by category, which allows the admissions office to collect and report more detailed information on how applicants spend their time outside the classroom. For example, the top ten most common activities of admitted students are in the following categories (in order): honors; athletics; community service; work; academic club; student government; religious; art, drama and dance; science and math clubs; and career-oriented.

Admitted students hail from 96 North Carolina counties, 47 states and 30 countries (including the United States). Thirteen percent will be the first generation of their family to graduate from college. Of those who reported race or ethnicity, 33 percent identified themselves as students of color, including 16 percent who identified themselves as American Indian, African American or Hispanic. One hundred seventy-one are international students.

“While we’re delighted by the increased interest in UNC, this interest makes our decisions more difficult every year,” said Farmer. “If we may help the students we have disappointed in any way as they complete their college searches, we will be honored to try.”

Since July 2014, the admissions office welcomed more than 37,000 visitors (prospective students and family members) for an information session and student-led tour. During this same time period, recruitment staff attended 185 regional college fairs, 110 local high school visits, and 40 national college events across the state, nation and ten additional countries across the world. The office also launched several social media campaigns to engage prospective students online.

Published February 4, 2015.