About this Issue

Graduate Alumni Head in Many Directions

The Fountain is an annual publication of The Graduate School of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This publication showcases the achievements of graduate students and alumni, informs readers about new Carolina graduate education programs and activities, and demonstrates the impact of private giving to graduate education at Carolina. The Fountain is supported by private gifts from generous alumni and friends of The Graduate School.

This edition of The Fountain highlights the wide variety of career trajectories taken by Carolina graduate alumni.

This edition of The Fountain highlights the wide variety of career trajectories taken by Carolina graduate alumni. Graduate education equips alumni with broad knowledge and skills they can utilize to pursue diverse goals and dreams. Graduate degrees enable them to pursue their passions, become leaders, mentor others, give back to their communities, and impact the quality of life in North Carolina and the world.

The paths that alumni take are often unpredictable and surprising. For instance, one alumnus transitioned from a career in higher education administration to serving as the President of a major league sports franchise. Another credits the problem-solving skills acquired during his Microbiology doctoral program as the foundation for his career focused on patent applications and technology. An alumna used her passion for languages and her doctoral degree in Romance Languages and Literatures to improve the quality of K-12 public education in North Carolina. From advancing knowledge of the origins of life in space to tackling down-to-earth problems such as how to help youth stay in school, enhance fitness of special needs athletes, or improve America's healthcare system, alumni of UNC-Chapel Hill are using their advanced education to make a difference in the world.

In this issue you can also learn how the UNC-Chapel Hill Graduate School is among the national leaders in providing graduate students with opportunities to enrich their comprehensive preparation. Understanding that graduate alumni will head in many directions and providing them with an extensive array of professional and skill development opportunities enables them to follow their passions and contribute in unforeseeable ways.

For more stories of how alumni are using their degrees, please read our online exclusive articles on our website: fountain.unc.edu. If you'd like to share your own story, please email us: fountain@unc.edu.

This issue of The Fountain was produced by Senior Editor Enelda Butler and Junior Editor Cindy J. Austin, master's students in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, with the guidance of Sandra Hoeflich, Associate Dean for Interdisciplinary Education, Fellowships and Communication. Please contact Hoeflich with comments or suggestions: Sandra_Hoeflich@unc.edu, 919-962-6323.

—The Fountain Staff

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
200 Bynum Hall, CB# 4010
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-4010
919-962-6323
fountain.unc.edu

A special thanks to our donors:
The Fountain is produced exclusively with private funding.

Credits

Graduate School Dean:
Steven Matson
Associate Dean for Interdisciplinary Education, Fellowships and Communication:
Sandra Hoeflich
Senior Editor:
Enelda Butler, School of Journalism & Mass Communication
Junior Editor:
Cindy J. Austin, School of Journalism & Mass Communication
Photography:
Will Owens unless otherwise noted; photos courtesy of Danny Morrison: photo courtesy of Andreá Williams: photo courtesy of Glenys Thorstenson
Editing and Photography Assistance:
Deb Saine
Designer:
Blue Frog Design, L.L.C.
Web Designer:
Rachell Underhill

Thanks

To the members of the Graduate Education Advancement Board for their invaluable assistance and support.

GEAB Board Members

  • Penny Aldrich
  • Suzanne Buchta
  • Donald Buckley
  • Ivy Carroll
  • Timothy Crowder
  • William Darity
  • Lana Dial
  • David Edwards
  • Brent Glass
  • Harold Glass
  • Jean Grainger
  • Boka Hadzija
  • Michael Harpold
  • Frances Hoch
  • Verla Insko
  • Ross Johnson
  • Blair Kutrow
  • Robert Laport
  • Howard Lee
  • David Lewis
  • Susan Lord
  • David McNelis
  • Francis Meyer
  • Philip Nelson
  • Ellen Peirce
  • Laurie Sanford
  • Kenneth Smith
  • Carol Smithwick
  • Thomas Sox
  • Richard Stevens
  • Peace Sullivan
  • Priscilla Taylor
  • Beth Whitaker

Emeritus Board Members

  • Lyle V. Jones
  • Charles M. Weiss

Honorary Board Members

  • William C. Friday
  • Barbara & Paul Hardin
  • Mrs. Thomas S. Royster