Public Health

Election, alumni, NYC marathon

November 3, 2008

Tomorrow’s the big day

It is hard to believe that after all these months and months, election day is tomorrow.  I can barely stand to listen to the radio, because I am so nervous about the election’s outcome. We are going to have a television tomorrow in the Mayes Center (230 Rosenau Hall) until 5p.m. and then in the Rosenau Hall auditorium (133 Rosenau Hall) so people can come and see what’s going on nationally and locally. It is exciting and gratifying to see how seriously people have taken this election.

runnersandotherstudents011-medium.jpgYesterday was the NYC Marathon

Several of our Nutrition students ran it for a great cause—Tar Heel Team for Kids. I look forward to hearing how they all did. Running the NYC Marathon the year I turned 40 was one of the most gratifying experiences of my life. It was exhilarating to run through all the NYC boroughs and be greeted by throngs of people all along the way.

Meeting our alumni

The past week has been an alumni meeting marathon for me. I have met wonderful alumni from different departments. One of the striking realizations is how many different fields and settings these alumni are in—from international health care consulting to cancer centers to pharmaceutical companies to start-up laboratory companies and so much more. I hope our students realize how many possible careers are out there for people trained in public health. Many are unconventional and very exciting. I am struck by how many alumni tell me that going to the School changed their lives for the better and gave them futures they never would have thought possible. Many of these alumni are giving back to the School to show their thanks for those life-changing experiences.

okun.jpgCheck out the Dan Okun Memorial Symposium

This Friday, Nov. 7th, ESE celebrates the global impact of Dan Okun’s work with a memorial symposium.  ESE is also co-hosting Sustainable and Safe Drinking Water in Developing and Developed Countries: Where Science Meets Policy Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 5-6, 2008.  It will be a great way to learn about important issues and trends in water policy and research. I am going to try to attend a few of the sessions.

Happy Monday

If you haven’t voted already, remember that tomorrow’s the day. As we know from past elections, every vote counts, so let your voice be heard. Best, Barbara


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The views expressed in this blog are Barbara Rimer’s alone and do not represent the views and policies of The University of North Carolina or the Gillings School.