LAUREN BERRY

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UNC receives $150 million in donations

By LAUREN BERRY | April 27

February was a big month for University funding. Two donations - a combined $150 million for University initiatives - were received within a week of each other and now are fueling campus leaders' projects and plans for the future. The School of Public Health received a $50 million gift from Dennis Gillings, a former professor, and his wife, Joan, which marked the largest single donation ever given directly to the University. The Gillings' donation, received Feb. 21, helped the Carolina First campaign, a fundraising drive started in 1999, exceed its $2 billion goal 10 months early.

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Students battle for gladiator title

By LAUREN BERRY | April 16

Many students saw their hopes of one day competing on "American Gladiators" lost when the television show was canceled in 1996. But these dreams were revived for about 80 students Friday afternoon when UNC's own gladiators took to Hooker Field to battle for the ultimate prize - a victory T-shirt and gladiator glory. The Gladiator Challenge, an annual event sponsored by Carolina Fitness, pitted teams of two against the athletic skill of staff members from the Student Recreation Center and Rams Head Recreation Center.

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Global education center aims to unite, innovate

By LAUREN BERRY | February 28

When the FedEx Global Education Center opens in March, campus leaders hope to make a strong statement of the University's international focus. The center, which has faced two and a half months of delays, will combine student services, academic programs and research with the goal of creating a more integrated approach to international education. Officials have pegged March 14 as the official opening date of the building, which has a $39.6 million budget.

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More professors turn in late book orders

By LAUREN BERRY | January 30

If students noticed a lack of used books available this semester, professors might be the ones to blame. The number of courses for which professors were late turning in their textbook orders increased from the fall semester, as did the number of courses for which book orders never were received. Student Stores' managers said whether professors comply with book order deadlines affects the managers' ability to find used books and also the amount students are paid during end-of-semester buy-backs.

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RHA to move forward with succession protocol

By LAUREN BERRY | January 18

Although surrounded by uncertainty, Denny Lyons accepted his title as the new president of the Residence Hall Association on Tuesday. Lyons, previously the group's treasurer, was named after Student Congress decided that the body's approval was not needed before a new president could take office and opted instead to lend its unanimous support. The confusion the occasion caused has led student leaders to address the need to formalize succession procedures. Congress ruled that outright approval of the nomination was not within the body's authority.

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Renowned Economist welcomed at Memorial Hall

By LAUREN BERRY | November 13

It's hard to imagine an event that can fill Memorial Hall with students at 11 on a Friday morning. But balcony seating was all that remained Friday when leading international economist and director of the United Nations Millennium Village Project Jeffrey Sachs began to speak. The speech served as the highlight of a week of events to raise awareness of the Millennium Village Project. Sachs is the founder of MVP, which aims to end extreme poverty in Africa by 2015.

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Conflict awareness week advocates for overlooked areas

By LAUREN BERRY | October 30

Even the most internationally conscious have more to learn, campus leaders said. Advocates for Human Rights, a committee of the Campus Y, will kick off its first Conflict Awareness Week today to raise attention about underreported human rights violations in countries around the world. As the University strives to increase its international focus, student leaders said campus involvement in world issues can be a driving force behind the campaign's success.

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New hire to push UNC future

By LAUREN BERRY | October 25

As the University moves to fill high-level positions in Chancellor James Moeser's cabinet, a clear plan for the campus's future is rising to the forefront. University officials say last week's appointment of Richard Mann as vice chancellor for finance and administration demonstrates their commitment to advancements in research and technology.

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Appeal process in park

By LAUREN BERRY | September 28

The Department of Public Safety established the parking appeals process to give drivers a voice in deciding the fate of their tickets. But a summer vacancy in the appeals officer position means voices have been slow to reach the proper channels. According to the DPS Web site, appeal decisions are supposed to be reached within two weeks of the date the appeal was filed. Tickets still listed in the appeals process date back to July. Randy Young, DPS spokesman, said 2,657 appeals have been filed since June 1. Of those, 1,630 - or about 61 percent - still must be reviewed.

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NIH honors UNC chemist

By LAUREN BERRY | September 19

Chemistry professor Gary Pielak likes to think of himself as a pioneer. He even has a fake raccoon-skin cap to prove it. The National Institutes of Health showed that it agreed this morning, when it made Pielak the first UNC scientist to receive the Pioneer Award - a research grant worth $2.5 million spread throughout a five-year period.