Celebrating Commencement 2022
Commencement is where the past and present converge in the joy of completion and a vision for the future.
Topic: Students
COVID-19
Starting spring semester remotely
At the Gillings School, we had intended to be residential for spring semester from the start, but as we moved steadily toward the first day of classes, it became urgent that we re-examine our plans. Given the transmissibility of the omicron variant, we decided – under conditions of uncertainty -- to err on the side of caution by starting with three weeks of remote instruction.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equity
Another semester begins—in a momentous time
We look forward to welcoming students, faculty and staff to spring semester 2021 on Tuesday, Jan. 19. To our Gillings students – we missed you. I hope you are more resolute than ever that public health is your chosen profession.
Global
Calls for justice in Nigeria
When the murder of George Floyd on Memorial Day ignited a new wave of Black Lives Matter protests in Minneapolis, across the U.S. and around the globe, young Nigerians connected the cause to police brutality in their own country, and held high the names of Alex Ogbu, Tina Ezekwe and others, alongside those of George Floyd and American victims.
Public Health
Yes, you can change the world!
At the Gillings School’s 79th commencement, Richard Besser, MD, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, former acting director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and award-winning former chief health and medical editor for ABC News, exhorted the audience of more than 300 graduating students and hundreds of family members, friends, faculty and staff: “Don’t let anyone tell you that what you want to do isn’t possible.”
Gun Violence
Guns and threats of violence have no place on this campus
On two of the past three weekends, members of pro-Confederacy groups have visited our campus to continue to protest the toppling and removal of the Confederate soldier monument. I did not write after the first incident because one event, although deplorable, could be an anomaly. When the second event occurred, I felt compelled to respond. Two events could be the beginning of a trend.
Public Health
Global students impress
Friday afternoon, Jan. 25, I had the true joy of speaking to an auditorium full of smart, passionate, energized students participating in the annual regional AMWHO conference, a weekend-long event hosted this year by the UNC-Chapel Hill chapter and held at the Gillings School.
Government
Becoming: A refreshing reminder that public service is not the swamp
I have been moved to tears reading parts of Michelle Obama’s autobiographical book, Becoming. It is uplifting and validating to read the unfolding of her and Barack Obama’s intertwined stories. As she tells it, while much was different about their upbringing and childhoods, they shared a devotion to learning, introspection about their missions in life,...
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