Gillings' contribution will make a great difference

TO THE EDITOR:

On Friday the UNC School of Public Health will be named the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health in recognition of a $50 million gift to the school from Dennis and Joan Gillings.

As a lifelong North Carolina resident and graduate of the school I could not be more grateful for this generous act. The gift will strengthen the school's impact by funding innovative research and interventions on issues such as our state's mental health system and safe water systems in developing countries.

As a member of the committee advising the Gillings program I have had first-hand insight into how the investment is being leveraged to bring about meaningful change. I hope UNC students and alumni will join me in thanking Dennis and Joan Gillings for making such an important investment in public health!



Melissa Watt

Class of '08