Official Promises Gift to School of Public Health Professorship

David McNelis, the deputy director of the Carolina Environmental Program and chairman of the Graduate Education Advancement Board, has pledged $2.5 million to the CEP in his will.

McNelis has pledged the contribution along with his wife, Gladys.

The money will establish the McNelis professorship, administered by the CEP, in the School of Public Health's Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering.

It also will set up graduate fellowships in the field and undergraduate scholarships for on-site research projects through the CEP.

Tony Reevy, associate director for advancement of the CEP, said the program mainly focuses on undergraduate and graduate studies and research.

He said the program also deals with on-site research in various parts of North Carolina and the world.

"It's a multidisciplinary part of UNC," Reevy said.

McNelis said the donation is intended to benefit the University and the environment in general.

He added that the specific types of research that will be funded and possible candidates for professorships have not been considered yet because money probably will not be available in the near future.

"A lot will have to do with the future needs of the Carolina Environmental Program," McNelis said.

McNelis said he already envisions a number of scholarships for undergraduate students to take classes and conduct environmental research at CEP sites.

"These programs are designed for a group of students to participate in a team-based interdisciplinary research project," McNelis said.

Professor Donald Fox in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering said the new professor will be able to conduct research and educational programs about environmental issues.

"The recipient of the professorship will have many more opportunities to work on environmental problems, possibly energy use or improving air and water quality," Fox said.

Donations such as this can have a huge impact on the University, said Speed Hallman, director of development communications for UNC.

"Endowed professorships are a very high priority of the University because they help us recruit the best faculty in the world," Hallman said.

"I think other donors can see the impact of a professorship."

Mary Anne Regan, director of development for the UNC graduate school, said the donation of graduate school fellowships by professors might start a trend toward more donations to the graduate school.

"It certainly is a great resource for the future of our University," Regan said.

It is especially important for people connected with the graduate school, like McNelis, to donate money, Regan said.

"He's a wonderful leader and an inspiration to our other board members and everyone else that has benefitted from a graduate program at the University."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.