NC-system president headlined the University Day ceremony, a variety of voices from all sectors of campus defined the Memorial Hall event.
Thomas Ross addressed the University for the first time Wednesday to celebrate the 216th anniversary of UNC’s founding.
“This is truly a homecoming to me,” Ross said.
Ross attended UNC School of Law before being appointed a judge on the N.C. Superior Court. Ross assumed responsibility of the UNC system in January.
Ross did not talk about the cumulative impact of the $1 billion cut in state funding, and instead said he wanted to highlight the University’s achievements.
“I prefer to spend my limited time applauding you and the phenomenal teaching, research and outreach that is taking place on this very campus on a daily basis, despite these cuts,” he said.
Ross also emphasized the diverse accomplishments of UNC faculty, students, staff and alumni.
But Ross and other speakers did not energize the audience as much as Jackie Overton, chairwoman of the Employee Forum, did.
Overton — the only staff voice among a program of faculty speakers — spoke about the role of the staff in serving the University.
She said there are almost 9,000 staff who work for UNC, and that their contributions are on the same level as students and faculty.
“Much of the staff came from rural parts of North Carolina and stayed for the employment opportunities in Chapel Hill,” Overton said.
Overton highlighted the contributions of staff members — including groundskeepers, housekeepers and public safety officials — to the University.
