Carolina Center for Public Service - Public Service and Engagement at Carolina

Previous Ned Brooks Award Winners

2009

Richard Rosen, professor in the School of Law, was presented with the Ned Brooks award for his promotion of justice and the preparation of the next generation of lawyers for conscientious and zealous advocacy within the judicial system. His nominator, Dean Jack Boger, had this to say about professor Rosen:

“Professor Rosen inspires students year after year. Graduates who leave Carolina Law and go into criminal law, death penalty work, or other public interest careers very often attribute their professional choices to Richard Rosen’s mentoring. He cares deeply about students, is concerned about not just what they learn but how they will use their skills in the real-world practice of law. He is a tireless advocate of the law school clinical experience, which gives students practice experience while at the same time serving a real need for legal representation by low-income families. He inspires students to respond to the concerns in the world around them. He has made a sustained commitment over the years to this important work and to the preparation of others to continue it long into the future. His lifetime of unremunerated public service renders him most worthy of this award. He has profoundly affected many people by using his role and the resources of the University to serve the larger world.”

2008

Pam Silberman combines an extensive background in public advocacy legal practice with advanced study in public health and health policy analysis. She has made major contributions to the state of North Carolina through research and analysis related to the state's major health and healthcare issues. Her work has led to numerous pieces of legislation of benefit to the state, including the state's child health insurance law, dental care access, and insurance coverage for low-income populations.

Though her work at the Institute and its publication of the North Carolina Medical Journal, Dr. Silberman is extending the reach of the University throughout the state. She involves residents, fellows, graduate students and other faculty in these endeavors to create a unique, direct and effective link between the Carolina’s vast analytical capacity and health policy in North Carolina. In the words of her nominator, Dr. Gordon DeFriese:

“Dr. Silberman is widely recognized for her ability to lead diverse groups of policy makers and shapers to understand and seek constructive new approaches to old problems.For example, she was key in leading a task force of 75 individuals in developing the draft outline of what is now the state's Child Health Insurance law. As a result, over 75,000 previously uninsured children and adolescents were covered by the state's "NC Health Choice" program in the following year. Pam Silberman is a rare individual, but one who daily represents the best of what this University can offer to the state whose interests we all want to serve. … At the same time, she has visualized the opportunities she can offer to others, especially other faculty and students, to become involved in this important work. For these many efforts she richly deserves the recognition the Ned Brooks Award for Public Service will offer.”

2007

Sharon Mujica joined the Institute of Latin American Studies in 1985. Since her arrival she has actively collaborated with Institute Directors and staff in developing a series of programs which have made the Institute what it is today, particularly in the area of outreach to the community and the public schools. Among her many accomplishments in more than 20 years: organizing the annual Latin American Film Festival; teaching NC K-12 and post-secondary educators about Latin American and Caribbean culture, history and language; working with local museums and community organizations to bring Latin American art to Triangle communities; organizing performances at La Fiesta del Pueblo and working with local organizations to raise money for impoverished Latin American countries.
In 1990, the Institute paired up with Duke’s Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies to establish the UNC-Duke Latin American Studies Consortium. In 1991 the Consortium became a member of a small club of National Resource Centers funded by the Department of Education’s Title VI Program. Sharon has been a pivotal figure in the Consortium, being its Outreach Director from 1991 to the present.

2006

Florence Soltys, Clinical Associate Professor in the School of Social Work. As part of her work with UNC, she provides weekly clinical services to the frail elders in the Geriatric Evaluation Clinic and coordinates the programmatic activities of the Hubbard Program, and interdisciplinary training program which provides home based care to community dwelling elders in the Triangle Region. Florence has also promoted services for elders through her leadership in the Geriatric Coalition in Orange County. The Coalition has been instrumental in assuring, through legislative change, that proper guardianship policies are in effect and elder abuse laws are tightened. Currently, Florence is serving North Carolina's older citizens as she shares her wise council on the NC Commission on Aging.

2005

Dr. Gordon Whitaker - Nominated by numerous colleagues for his work over the last three decades here at Carolina. They point to his many contributions, including a model of action teaching in his course on Public Leadership and Management that involves having teams of MPA students work with governmental agencies or non-profits on public service projects. Many students report that these courses help them learn how to learn. They also learn how to serve, from both a career and personal perspective. In this way, Gordon has recruited class after class of students interested in continuing to serve in public service careers and activities.

 

2004

Dr. Michael Stegman - He is a MacRae professor of public policy and business and chairman of the department of public policy in the College of Arts and Sciences. Stegman created, and now directs, the Center for Community Capitalism, based in the Kenan-Flagler Business School's Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise. This center engages in multi-disciplinary research and outreach focused on applying private-sector knowledge to revitalizing distressed communities.
Stegman, who joined the UNC faculty in 1966, also leads a major initiative to improve UNC's outreach to low-income employees and to provide free tax services on federal tax benefits.
"Throughout his career, Mike Stegman has risen to the challenge of making his teaching and research relevant to solving the problems of real people", said Lynn Blanchard. In addition, he has served as mentor and champion for untold young faculty members and graduate students - he personifies what we mean by servant leadership.

2003

Adam Goldstein - He is the first recipient of this prestigious award. He was nominated for his many contributions, including serving as faculty advisor for SHAC and Insight Out – a community service journal published by students in Health Affairs and Social Work. He has worked to expand the Eugene Mayer Community Service Honor Society to include the many community-based physicians in North Carolina who mentor medical students during their time at Carolina.
An ardent and outspoken supporter of anti-smoking efforts, he established SAVE (Survivors and Victims of Tobacco Empowerment), a program that serves as a national model. These are just several of the reasons cited in his nomination of why he exemplified what is called for to receive this award.
Warren Newton, Chair of Family Medicine shared why he feels Adam is so deserving of this honor, "Adam Goldstein's passion for service is best illustrated in the way he helps others realize their dreams to service. While his individual commitment to service is itself impressive, it is his ability to serve as a catalyst for change that makes Adam richly deserving of this award."


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