"We are probably the most diverse entity on campus, and we bring a global perspective to subjects that often are not considered in such terms," said Dr. Gerald Horne, director of the center and the Institute for African-American Research.

For example, the BCC hosts an annual international conference that so far has brought to campus scholars from Japan and Germany who specialize in African-American studies. And one of Carolina's most outstanding programs of public service is Communiversity, which pairs UNC-CH undergraduates with underserved, often troubled, area youth in mentoring and cultural enrichment activities.

The Okuns said the BCC's success under Horne's guidance and leadership prompted their gift.

"Gerald's breadth of knowledge and experience worldwide is a phenomenal resource on this campus," Daniel Okun said. "His leadership has been great."

He said the new building represents an opportunity to expand the BCC's programs, bringing African-Americans, their culture and history into all phases of University life. He added that he hopes the building also will serve as a resource for development of a graduate program in African-American studies at Carolina.

"North Carolina is rich in population, history and cultural contributions from African-Americans," he said. "Yet we have to depend on Northern universities for graduate work in this field."

Of half a dozen graduate programs in African-American studies in the country, only one is in the South. "My goal is to convince my colleagues that a BCC building and a graduate program in African-American studies will impact on all of the social sciences on campus," he said. "Everyone will benefit."

To date, $4.1 million in cash and pledges has been raised for the $7.5 million building, which will house the BCC, the Institute of African-American Research and the Upward Bound program. The 40,000 square-foot building will include classrooms, a library, art gallery, media center, performance space and meeting rooms.

To honor Horne, the Okuns are dedicating their gift to W.E.B. Du Bois and his wife, Shirley Graham. Horne's first book was on Du Bois, the early 20th-century scholar, author and co-founder of the NAACP. Horne now is writing a book about Graham's life.

Okun began his teaching career at UNC-CH in 1952, serving as faculty chair from 1955 to 1973. During his 18 years as chair, the department of environmental sciences and engineering in the School of Public Health grew from a small, narrowly focused sanitary engineering program with three full-time professors to a broad-based environmental sciences and engineering program with some 25 faculty members. Okun officially retired in 1982 but remains active in departmental and professional activities.

Faculty colleagues and former students launched a campaign in 1994 to fund an endowed professorship in recognition of Okun's contributions to the department and the field of environmental engineering as a whole. State matching funds of $167,000 secured this winter carried the campaign past the $600,000 mark, meeting the University's $500,000 requirement for an endowed professorship.

The school hopes to raise $1 million or more through the continuing campaign, with the first Okun Distinguished Professor to be appointed for the 2000-01 academic year.