The man who facilitated the agreement between the University and Chapel Hill to develop the Carolina North project was honored Wednesday for his service.
David Owens, a professor of public law and government, became the first professor to receive the Edward Kidder Graham Faculty Service Award at the University Day ceremony.
Established by the Faculty Council last year, the award recognizes outstanding service by a faculty member.
Owens has published several works on government planning and zoning and is a member of the University’s building and grounds committee.
He said he has always strived to use his large-scale research to help people on a more local level.
“It’s over 20 years of working to bring the expertise of a national research university to the North Carolina cities, counties and state government to help address problems they’re wrestling with,” he said.
“It’s not only research and writing but delivering that to help folks solve their practical problems on an ongoing basis,” Owens said.
He said he worked with the town and the University to find ways to make Carolina North, a planned research satellite campus, beneficial for all community members.
“We needed something mutually advantageous while meeting expansion needs and avoiding adverse impacts.”
