news
June 23, 2010 — Patrick Short '14 is a delegate to the Youth G-8 and G-20 Summits in Canada
Delegates and heads of state from across the world aren't the only leaders gathering in Canada this week. As the G-8 and G-20 Summits convene, a select group of young delegates will gather for a parallel conference sponsored by the Canadian government and the nonprofit group Global Vision.
Among the promising young policymakers conferencing in Canada is Patrick Short '14, one of only seven delegates selected on behalf of the United States. Patrick will spend the better part of five days meeting with fellow students and attending conference events. The agenda includes everything from global food security to the regulatory structure of the Canadian banking system. Read more about the youth G-8 and G-20!
June 17, 2010 — The Morehead-Cain Foundation endows the Eve Marie Carson Carolina Way Scholarship
In keeping with the University's efforts to honor former student body president Eve Carson '08, the Morehead-Cain Foundation has created and endowed a full merit scholarship in her name. The Eve Marie Carson Carolina Way Scholarship will aim to recruit students who share the values and the enthusiasm that Eve embodied at Carolina.
In an interview with the Daily Tar Heel, Morehead-Cain Associate Director Megan Mazzocchi said the Carolina Way is defined by excellence with a heart. "We are hoping the University will be able to attract students who share Eve’s remarkable intelligence, enthusiasm and optimism," Megan said. Read the full Daily Tar Heel article.
For information about contributing to the Carolina Way Scholarship endowment, please contact Emily Oliver. Our deepest thanks to the entire University community, and to the Morehead-Cain Alumni who have supported this important project.
June 9, 2010 — Libby Longino '10 and Jimmy Waters '10 make USA TODAY's All-USA College Academic First Team
Made up of just twenty students from across the country, USA TODAY's annual Academic First Team showcases some of the nation's most creative and ambitious undergraduates. "Yes, they study hard, serve their communities and are role models on campus," writes Mary Beth Marklein of USA TODAY. "But at their core, they are solution-oriented thinkers who aren't afraid to dare. And in defying standard notions of what it means to be a student, they set a high bar for what the undergraduate experience looks like."
Libby Longino '10 was singled out for her work not only as a student, but as a teacher. After researching human trafficking as part of her Morehead-Cain summer experiences, Libby was given the opportunity to teach an undergraduate class on the subject during her senior year. In addition to forming the basis of her class, Libby's research will be published by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces.
In earning his spot, Jimmy Waters '10 conducted a range of research and public service projects, working everywhere from Peru to the Ryukyu Islands. Most notably, Jimmy's research on free trade and school enrollment was reviewed and utilized by the Nicaraguan government.
Henry Spelman '10 was honored as a member of USA TODAY's All-USA College Academic Second Team, also made up of just twenty students. The newspaper cited Henry's work in building an SAT prep course for underprivileged students.
Click here to read more about Jimmy, Libby, Henry, and the other fantastic students featured in this year's USA TODAY academic teams, or read the University's detailed news release.
June 7, 2010 — Writing for the New Yorker, James Surowiecki '88 tackles some of the toughest issues in economics and finance
In the midst of an unprecedented financial crisis and heated debates on regulation and reform, James Surowiecki '88 has provided incisive commentary in the pages of the New Yorker. His latest contribution to the Financial Page, featured in this week's edition of the magazine, tackles the role of government regulation in preventing business failures. "If we want our regulators to do better, we have to embrace a simple idea," Surowiecki writes. "Regulation isn’t an obstacle to thriving free markets; it’s a vital part of them."
See below for a discussion between James and economist Nassim Taleb about the root causes of the financial crisis and the future of the global economy.
June 3, 2010 — Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet '89 makes her literary debut with the dazzling story of three Iranian women
As a professor of history and director of the Middle East Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet '89 is no stranger to the intricacies of Iranian politics. With her debut novel, titled Martyrdom Street, Firoozeh has combined her scholarly interests with an engrossing story of family struggles. "As historians, we are trained to write compelling narratives about the past," Firoozeh said. "So, in my case, making the transition from non-fiction to fiction seemed rather natural."
Published May 30th by Syracuse University Press, Martyrdom Street is set during the Iranian Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War. The stories move between Iran and America, allowing Firoozeh to address the cultural misunderstandings that bedevil relations between the two counties. "Writing about Iran in the United States proves both rewarding and frustrating," she said. "There is much more interest in Iran now than there ever was when I was a student at UNC, but much of what is known about Iran is suffused with negative stereotypes." With Martyrdom Street, Firoozeh is taking an impressive stride toward greater understanding.
May 31, 2010 — With an endorsement from President Obama, Josh Ford '12 spearheads the creation of a White House Facebook application to honor the country's fallen soldiers
The phrase, "meeting with Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff," doesn't crop up often in the reports Scholars file during the summer. But there it was, dropped right in the middle of Josh Ford's regular update.
Leave it to Josh Ford '12 to turn a summer internship into an opportunity to honor millions of American soldiers. When the White House Commission on Remembrance began looking for ways to encourage more youth involvement, Josh chimed in. "I had this idea of getting people on Facebook to dedicate their status to one of our 2 million fallen (from the Revolutionary War until today)," Josh wrote. "I pitched the idea to the folks over at Facebook, and they loved it."
They weren't the only ones. By the time the project got off the ground, there were meetings with Admiral Mullen, personal notes from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, and various television interviews. President Obama himself participated in the project, loading Josh's application on his Facebook page over Memorial Day Weekend. "It was truly an extraordinary experience," Josh wrote. "It was quite amazing to see my own idea being so well-received and successful." You can still participate with Josh's Honor the Fallen application on Facebook, or read more about the project in this MSNBC story.
May 30, 2010 — For his stellar reporting on the rise of China's green energy industries, Keith Bradsher '86 earns top journalistic honors
As Hong Kong bureau chief for the New York Times, Keith Bradsher '86 undertook an enterprising series of stories on China's emergence as a clean-energy powerhouse. Featured during the past year on the front page of the Times, Keith's stories have earned him the Osborn Elliott Prize for Excellence in Journalism on Asia and the Overseas Press Club Award for international business reporting.
"Keith Bradsher’s stories explored the underreported story of China’s environmental awakening, tracking the country’s efforts to dominate industries that will provide cleaner and more efficient energy throughout the world," said Norman Pearlstine, Chief Content Officer at Bloomberg and the jury chair for the Osborn Elliott Prize. Read some of Keith's prize-winning stories on China's push for renewable energy, the race to become a leader in solar technology, and protectionist trade policies designed to bolster China's energy industry.
May 25, 2010 — Greg Kats '81 leads the way in promoting affordable green building technology
Taking on the pervasive assumption that green architecture is expensive architecture, Greg Kats '81 shows that energy efficient construction is just 2 percent more costly than a traditionally designed building. In Greening Our Built World, Greg reviews research and case studies demonstrating how quickly an investment in green technology is recouped through energy savings.
As the senior director of Good Energies, an investment firm specializing in renewable energy, Greg has become a leading advocate for sustainable design. "We believe strongly that there are large opportunities to make smart investments that have strong financial returns, strong social returns, and strong environmental returns," Greg says. Click below to hear him discuss the impact of energy efficient buildings.
May 5, 2010 — Jen Serdetchnaia '12 and Zealan Hoover '13 pen essays for the spring 2010 issue of Carolina Passport
"We made a difference in at least 40 lives for the price of a big screen plasma television," writes Jen Serdetchnaia '12, recounting the $600 she invested in rural Uganda on behalf of the nonprofit group Empower U. But Jen's article goes beyond the feel-good aspects of international philanthropy and delivers a clear look at both the challenges and possibilities of combating global poverty. "Many a time I had seen funds given out irresponsibly, only to be squandered and never paid back," she writes of microfinance initiatives. "Our goal with Empower U is to encourage responsibility and self-reliance." Read Jen's full essay here (pdf).
For Zealan Hoover '13, a four-month stay in Thiaroye-Sur-Mer, Senegal, redefined his sense of community. "Without a household computer or unlimited calling plans, the Senegalese do not rely on emails and text messages to stay in touch," Zealan writes. "Instead, they are constantly stopping by to visit in person." Zealan—"Mr. Z" to his Senegalese students—eventually learned to allot 40 minutes for his 20-minute walk to school, lest he risk offending anyone by failing to stop and chat along the way. Read Mr. Z's full essay here (pdf).
April 26, 2010 — The New York Times Magazine profiles a farm-to-table restaurant by Jamie DeMent '01
Trading a life of "very high heels and very tight skirts" for life on her own sustainable farm, Jamie DeMent '01 is at the vanguard of a movement toward local agriculture. With her partner Richard Holcomb, DeMent runs the 55-acre Coon Rock Farm outside of Durham, North Carolina. The farm has long been the primary supplier for the acclaimed Raleigh restaurant Zely & Ritz, but DeMent is determined to create a 100% locally-sourced venue. This summer, she and Holcomb will open the farm-to-table Eno Restaurant & Market in downtown Durham. "I wanted you to sit down and feel very, very connected to the region and the food," DeMent said of the restaurant. "It’s all a way to make people more connected to their food. I think that’s one of the biggest problems in civilization right now — no one is connected to their food anymore." Read the full story in The New York Times Magazine, or click here to see a photo gallery of life on the farm.
For more on the issue of sustainable farming, check out this multimedia report from Chris Sopher '11, a senior writer for the Daily Tar Heel.
April 23, 2010 — NOLS touts a 35-year partnership with the Morehead-Cain
For 35 years, the National Outdoor Leadership School has been a close partner to the Morehead-Cain. "Generations of Morehead-Cain scholars have
transferred their NOLS experience to leadership roles in academia, other summer opportunities through the program, and post-college careers," writes David Ketai in the spring edition of The Leader, NOLS' alumni magazine. The executive director of NOLS, John Gans, said the two programs have a complementary approach to identifying and developing promising leaders. "The Morehead-Cain staff do an exemplary job of identifying young people who will truly make a mark on the world," Gans said. "NOLS is honored to have the opportunity to share our unique brand of practical leadership with these accomplished students as they prepare for a lifetime of trailblazing." Read the entire article on page three of this pdf of Spring 2010 Leader, or click here to see a video of Eliza Kern '12 discussing her summer experience.
April 10, 2010 — Mike Mian '11 is a 2010 Udall Scholar
Mike Mian '11 thinks environmental justice is going to be a growth industry. "Conflict, legal or otherwise, is imminent in negotiating a new carbon-friendly global economy," he said. With a self-designed major in environmental justice and conflict resolution, Mike hopes to make a career of managing or preventing that conflict. He has already spent a summer interning at the Foundation for Sustainable Development in Uganda, and he will travel to Indonesia during the upcoming summer to study carbon-reduction methods. As governments across the world debate changes to environmental regulation, Mike's career choice could prove prescient. Read more from UNC News Services.
April 6, 2010 — Hogan Medlin '11 sworn in as UNC Student Body President
"I only have two words, Hogan, and that's 'Good luck!'" said outgoing Student Body President Jasmine Jones. Hogan will need it as he works to implement an ambitious and detailed campaign platform during the next twelve months. In addition to leading the executive branch of student government, the SBP serves as a voting member of the University's Board of Trustees, grappling with everything from tuition rates to academic planning. Hogan's inauguration marks the third time in five years that a Morehead-Cain has assumed the top spot in student government. Explore Hogan's campaign website or look through the Daily Tar Heel archives to learn more about the new administration!
March 30, 2010 — Christopher Sopher '11 earns a 2010 Truman Scholarship
Chris Sopher '11 is a public policy polymath. In 2007, he helped found and expand a national nonprofit dedicated to improving college access for disadvantaged students. During the 2008 presidential campaign, he served as a field organizer and press aid on behalf of Obama for America. He has written for the American Prospect on everything from health care reform to bottled water regulation. For Chris, the hardest part of winning a Truman Scholarship might be choosing a particular area of public policy to study. Our very best wishes to Chris, who is the 19th Morehead-Cain Scholar to earn the Truman. Read more about the Truman from UNC News Services, or spend some time exploring Chris' insightful undergraduate research project on youth and media engagement.
March 10, 2010 — Shilpi Somaya Gowda '92 releases her debut novel to strong reviews
When Shilpi Somaya Gowda '92 set out to write Secret Daughter, she wanted to call attention to the girls lost in India's male-centered culture. "I started thinking, 'What if one of those girls was saved?'" she said. "I wanted to write a story about one of those girls." With her first novel, Shilpi is set to gain a wide audience for that story. Secret Daughter was published this week by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins, and has already been named an Indie Next Great Read by the American Booksellers Association! Visit Shilpi's website to order a signed copy, or visit her Facebook page to see a video of Shilpi discussing the book. You can also hear a radio interview she gave to KCBS in San Francisco.
March 10, 2010 — "Cobbler's Child" Galahad Clark '99 featured in Time Magazine's list of global entreprenuers
Back in 2002, when Galahad Clark ’99 bought Terra Plana, it was a struggling Dutch shoe company with a reputation for eco-friendly business practices. Since then, Galahad has turned it into a flourishing international brand with an innovative new product line—all while enhancing the company's reputation for sustainable design and manufacturing. "Try to make things that allow the world and the people in it to flourish," Galahad said at a graduation ceremony for the London College of Fashion. "Sustainable design is good design." Read more from Time Magazine.
February 22, 2010 — Peter Blair Henry '91 off to a strong start at NYU's Stern School of Business
Peter Blair Henry ’91 is already earning accolades at NYU's Stern School of Business, where he took over as dean in January. With a strong background in government service and academia, Peter is an advocate for using private sector expertise to tackle global policy challenges. "Business is one of the most powerful institutions on earth for creating wealth and opportunity and helping to lift people out of poverty," he told the Financial Times. "When you think about it that way, then business is not separate from development policy." Read more from a fascinating Financial Times profile on the start of Peter's tenure at Stern.
February 15, 2010 — Microsoft Gaming guru Robbie Bach ’84 to deliver keynote address at UNC's CHAT Festival
Robbie Bach ’84, perhaps best known as the Microsoft executive behind the immensely successful X-Box gaming console, will deliver the keynote address at this week's UNC CHAT Festival. Sponsored by the UNC Institute for the Arts & Humanities, the CHAT Festival is designed to showcase work at the intersection of art and digital technology. Bach is slated to share his vision for the future of entertainment. Visit the UNC CHAT website to find more information and register for the conference, or visit Microsoft to learn more about Bach's work in gaming and entertainment.
February 10, 2010 — Antonio McBroom ’08 serves as a delegate to the One Young World Conference
Antonio McBroom ’08 joined young leaders from more than 100 countries gathering in London to discuss everything from global health policy to interfaith conflict. The conference featured opportunities to hear Muhammad Yunus speak on social enterprise, Archbishop Desmond Tutu offer thoughts about growing up in a global society and London Mayor Boris Johnson talk about the future of science and technology. As a young entreprenuer and business owner, Antonio fit right in. "He has had to overcome great personal challenges, and with every success he has given back to those closest to him," proclaims Antonio's delegate profile. Visit the One Young World website for a closer look.
February 3, 2010 — Adam Biel ’09 continues his epic trek for autism awareness
After a holiday stopover in Chapel Hill, Adam Biel ’09 is setting off Monday for the next leg of his 25,000 mile bike ride for autism awareness, dubbed the Adventure for Autism. Having left from Alaska last June, Adam is well on his way to the final stop in Argentina. "I cycle the same way the mailman operates – regardless of the weather," Adam told the Daily Tar Heel. Read more about Adam's journey.
February 6, 2010 — Scholars present the second annual Ten Years Ahead Conference
Scholars Eve McTurk ’10, Alex Lassiter ’10, and Tom Thriveni ’10 brought together students and state policymakers for a discussion about the future of North Carolina's economy. "Our goal is to bring together dynamic minds from across all sectors to discuss the future of our state," Eve wrote to her fellow Morehead-Cain Scholars. During panel discussions and breakout sessions, students collaborated with business leaders and University officials on ways to encourage more entrepreneurship on campus and across North Carolina.
January 27, 2010 — Buddy Wester ’68 featured on the cover of N.C. Super Lawyers magazine
Citing his sharp humor and disarming charm, North Carolina Super Lawyers magazine has named Buddy Wester one of the top ten attorneys in the state. He also graces the cover of the 2010 issue of the magazine. "Wester’s keen wit has helped earn him a reputation as one of North Carolina’s top trial attorneys, and most recently, the North Carolina Bar Association presidency." Read more.
Jan 21, 2010 — Emily Maher ’01 travels to Haiti to provide medical relief for earthquake survivors
In conjunction with the aid group Partners in Health, Emily Maher ’01 is traveling to Haiti alongside a team of her colleagues from Brigham and Women's Hospital. Emily will join an cadre of physicians and aid workers from across the globe providing badly needed medical help in the Haitian capital of Port-Au-Prince. To learn more and to make a donation, visit the Partners in Health website.
Jan 18, 2010 — Ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer to serve as the Morehead-Cain Alumni Distinguished Visiting Professor for Honors
Thanks to the generosity of Morehead-Cain alumni, students will soon be taking lessons in "Empire & Diplomacy" from the former British ambassador to the United States. Sir Christopher Meyer is teaching the wide-ranging course this semester in conjunction with UNC English Professor Ted Leinbaugh. Students have already begun reading "DC Confidential," Meyer's acclaimed account of his tenure as ambassador to the United States from 1997 to 2003. "His insights are very timely right now," said Matt Garza ’09, a member of the committee that selected Meyer for the professorship. Read an account of Meyer's first class, taught via video link from London.
Jan 5, 2010 — Kate Harris ’05 named a 2010 Woman of Discovery
In recognition of her innovative research on science as a tool for peacekeeping, Kate Harris ’05 has been named a 2010 Woman of Discovery by Wings WorldQuest. The group highlights the work of outstanding women explorers across the world, and has selected Kate as a 2010 field research award winner. Read more from Wings WorldQuest or visit Kate's website and blog.
Dec 30, 2009 — Douglass Farnsley ’73 inducted into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers
During an October ceremony held in Bodrum, Turkey, Douglass Farnsley ’73 became one of only nine Kentucky lawyers inducted into the elite International Academy of Trial Lawyers. The Academy, which includes members from more than 30 countries, invites just 500 U.S. trial lawyers into its ranks. Read more.
Dec 15, 2009 — Carolyn Payne ’95 wins 2009 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Award
Our sincere congratulations to Carolyn Payne ’95 (seen here on the steps of 10 Downing Street) for receiving the 2009 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award for Best Children’s Entertainment Programme. The award-winning show, called “Election,” is a children's political reality series that ran on BBC1 last year. In the show, ten children ages 11 to 14 lived in a house together and worked on “leadership tasks” in an effort to win a culminating election. The final episode was shot in Britain’s houses of parliament and the winner received a private audience with Prime Minister Gordon Brown where they were able to share with him their ideas for how to make Britain better for children. Watch a backstage interview with Carolyn following her BAFTA win.
Dec 15, 2009 — Gill Holland ‘87 honored as Louisville Magazine's 2009 Person of the Year
As an advocate for green buildings and sustainable development, Gill was named Louisville Magazine's 2009 Person of the Year. Despite a difficult economy, Gill "pressed forward with several socially conscious projects" that have the potential to make Louisville a leader in environmental technology. Read more.
Dec 15, 2009 — Robbie Bach ‘84 serves as chairman of Boys and Girls Club of America for 2009 and 2010
A longtime supporter of Clubs, Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment & Devices Division for Microsoft Corporation, serves as the chairman of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Board of Governors. Read more.
Dec 15, 2009 — Dr. David Tayloe ’70 completes his year as president of the American Association of Pediatrics
Months before David T. Tayloe Jr., M.D., FAAP, assumed the AAP
presidency, his leadership already had been tested and, many believe,
defined. Read more.
Nov 22, 2009 — Libby Longino '10 and Henry Spelman '10 receive Rhodes Scholarships
Congratulations to Libby Longino and Henry Spelman, who are the 26th and 27th Rhodes Scholars from the Morehead-Cain Scholars Program. To read more about Libby and Henry and their plans for graduate study at Oxford, please see here.
Oct 5, 2009 — Taylor Branch '68 releases new book, The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History with the President
The new book by Taylor Branch '68 explores the conversations he had with President Clinton over eight years. To learn more about The Clinton Tapes vist Taylor's Web site and listen to his interview with NPR's Terry Gross. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author has donated his notes from the book to UNC's Southern Historical Collection. Click below to see Chancellor Holden Thorp's interview with Branch.
Oct 1, 2009 — Adam Falk '87 named President of Williams College
Congratulations to Adam Falk '87 for being selected as the next president of Williams College! Read more about Adam's appointment here.
Sep 30, 2009 — Sherwood Smith '60 (Law Fellow) inducted into Raleigh Hall of Fame
Sherwood Smith was honored as one of the 2009 inductees into the Raleigh Hall of Fame for his almost five decades of leadership contributions in the business and non-profit sectors. Read more about Sherwood's induction here.
Jun 15, 2009 — Register Now for the 2009 Morehead Alumni Forum
Online registration for the 2009 Alumni Forum is open! Please visit the Forum pages on the M-C Network for details about the events from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25 and to reserve your spot.
We hope you will be able to join us in October!
Aug 21, 2009 — Jim Cooper '75 talks about health care on MSNBC's Morning Meeting
See the interview about health care with Tennessee Congressman Jim Cooper '75 here.
Aug 7, 2009 — Sallie Krawcheck '87 to head Bank of America's Global Wealth and Investment Division
Congratulations to Sallie Krawcheck '87 who joins Bank of America as the head of global wealth and invesment management. Read more about her new position here.
Jul 30, 2009 — Peter Henry '91 named dean of NYU's Stern School of Business
Congratulations to Peter Henry '91 who has been selected as the new dean of New York University's Stern School of Business. Peter was a Rhodes Scholar and has worked at the Stanford School of Business since 1997. He also recently served President Obama's transition team on economic issues. Learn more about Peter's selection here.
Jul 30, 2009 — Derek Chiang '00 and Paul Armistead '95 return to UNC to conduct research
Welcome back to Derek Chiang '00 and Paul Armistead '95! The two have returned to UNC to continue their cancer research. Read all about it on page three of the latest annual report for the University Cancer Research Fund.
Jul 15, 2009 — Medical Fellow Francis Collins '77 selected to head NIH
Francis Collins '77 (Medical Fellow) had been nominated by President Obama to serve as the leader of the National Institues for Health. Previously Francis served as the director of the National Human Genome Research Institute where he spearheaded the succesful project to map the human genome. Learn more about Francis's nomination here.
Jul 1, 2009 — Chris Parris-Lamb '04 Sells the Rights to Coach Williams's Memoir
Literary agent Chris Parris-Lamb '04 recently sold the rights to Roy Williams's memoir, Hard Work. The book about the two-time National Championship winning coach is expected in stores in November.
From Publishers Weekly: Parris-Lamb of the Gernert agency sold world rights to North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams's memoir, Hard Work. Kathy Pories at N.C.-based Algonquin won the book with what Parris-Lamb called “an aggressive” pre-empt. Written with former Sports Illustrated staffer Tim Crothers, Hard Work chronicles Williams's journey from his impoverished beginnings in a broken home in the mountains of North Carolina to his appointment as coach of the UNC basketball team, which won the 2009 national championship. To preview the book, please visit Algonquin's Web site.
May 27, 2009 — David Baron '11 Awarded $10,000 Grant through Davis Projects for Peace
David Baron's proposal for a local cooperative garden has received one of 100 $10,000 grants given by the Davis Projects for Peace. The HOPE Garden project aims to employ, develop, and serve the local homeless while promoting environmental sustainability and local food systems. To read more about David and the HOPE Garden click here.
May 14, 2009 — Bill Daughtridge '75 elected to UNC Board of Governors
Congratulations to Bill Daughtridge '75 who was recently elected by the North Carolina State House to the UNC Board of Governors. The 32 members of the Board of Governors serve four-year terms and oversee the state's 16 public universities and the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics in Durham.
