Celebrating Carolina's Diversity
Fall 2010

Greetings fellow alumni,

There’s nothing quite like Carolina in the fall. Under that patented blue sky, campus is buzzing with activity. The Class of 2014, among the University’s most talented and diverse yet, has settled into classes and campus life.

Along with their pillows, crates, sneakers and iPods, students have brought new energy and inquisitiveness to campus. Every year, we can count on our students to revitalize and inspire us in everything we do; this year is no different.

They are looking to us to support and guide them, encourage and challenge them, and engage and prepare them, for whatever lies ahead. In short, they are counting on us to help them achieve the unparalleled Carolina academic experience we pride ourselves on.

Let’s not disappoint them. We all have a part to play in the lives of Carolina’s diverse community of students, and there’s no better time to be creative and bold. In the coming weeks you will be hearing more about the University’s efforts aimed at developing an innovative culture on our campus. This initiative—Innovate@Carolina—coincides with the publication of a book authored by Chancellor Holden Thorp and his colleague, Buck Goldstein, titled Engines of Innovation—The Entrepreneurial University in the 21st Century. It challenges institutions of higher learning to focus on solving real-world problems while encouraging and enabling students to be true agents of change.

Members of our committee had the opportunity to learn more about innovation and the greater role it is destined to play on our campus as well as others during our annual meeting in September. We heard directly from the students themselves, which, as always, was truly inspiring. Now we are exploring ways we can develop our diversity initiatives with innovation and entrepreneurship in mind.

The Alumni Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity invites you to learn more about what’s happening at Carolina today and welcomes and encourages your support.

Thanks for all you do to make Carolina great.

Alison Jordan Lathrop, J.D. ’95
Chair, Alumni Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity

Celebrating the life of Roberta Ann Dunbar

Roberta Ann Dunbar, a beloved associate professor of African and Afro–American Studies at Carolina since 1974, passed away July 6 at the age of 72.

Dunbar came to the University in 1969 and taught in the history department before joining what was then the Curriculum in African and Afro–American Studies in 1974.

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Student Spotlight: Meet Tyler Thomas

By Jean Coble
(reprinted with permission from the UNC School of Government Master of Public Administration newsletter Impact, volume 34, no. 1, spring 2010)

Tyler Thomas grew up in Greensboro, N.C., but calls Pembroke home. “Robeson County is where all of my family is from,” he says. “I have a large family with lots of aunts and uncles, three brothers—one is my twin—and two sisters. Most of our summers were spent in Pembroke.”

Tyler explained that his family is part of the Lumbee tribe. “My mother took an active role in ensuring we maintained a connection to our roots,” he said. “I appreciate that connection and really enjoy attending family gatherings and helping my grandmother in the garden. That’s when I hear great stories about our family’s past.”

“I have always had a desire to give back, especially in the American Indian community. The connection I feel to my Lumbee heritage is very deep.”

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Alumni Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity wins CASE Gold

In June, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) awarded a Gold Circle of Excellence Award in the Diversity Programs category to UNC and the Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity to recognize efforts to foster a more inclusive, collegial environment and spur minority alumni support. Among advancement’s premier international awards honoring members’ work, CASE Circle of Excellence Awards acknowledge superior accomplishments that have lasting impact, demonstrate the highest level of professionalism and deliver exceptional results.

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Meet new faculty and staff: Dr. Beecham–Green

Rosalyn Beecham–Green has been appointed director of the North Carolina Health Careers Access Program. The inter–institutional program, based at Carolina, seeks to increase the number of minority and economically disadvantaged students who successfully pursue health careers.

In her new post, Beecham–Green plans to build on existing programs by developing ways to sustain relationships with program participants throughout the academic year.

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UNC pays tribute to first black undergraduates

(excerpted from a story written by Deborah Strange of The Daily Tar Heel on Sept. 20, 2010)

John Lewis Brandon and Ralph and LeRoy Frasier came to UNC in 1955, one year after the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision declared racial segregation in schools to be unconstitutional.

The trio spoke to more than 100 people on Sept. 17 at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History as the University marked the 55th anniversary of their historic enrollment.

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SERVICE: A mural on display at the School of Government

A new 50–foot mural celebrating the lives of African Americans and their contributions to North Carolina’s history is on display at the School of Government. The campus community is invited to see the mural, called SERVICE.

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Upcoming events

• Fences coming to PlayMakers Repertory Company
• Pauli Murray Project Celebration
• Elie Wiesel to visit UNC Oct. 10
• Diversity Education Team to hold documentary viewings, discussion, classes
• Hispanic Heritage events run through Oct. 15
• Alumni Reunions

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Recent events

• Alumni Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity hosts Washington, D.C. event
• Alumni Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity and American Indian Center host Pembroke, NC event
• Institute of African American Research Conference on Suffering and Black Theodicy

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