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

Previous Robert E. Bryan Award Winners

2008   2007   2006   2005   2004   2003   2002   2001   2000

2008

Faculty and Staff:

Hannah Gill (staff), Assistant Director of Institute for the Study of the Americas in the Center for Global Initiatives, was honored for her interdisciplinary course focusing global and local aspects of migration. Students work with immigrants from Guanajuato, Mexico here in NC and spend spring break in Guanajuato. Her nominator stated, "Hannah is gifted in her ability to manage the delicate balance of teaching and guiding student action and leadership. Her knowledge of and experience working with immigration issues both in Mexico and North Carolina provides a solid framework for the students to learn first-hand about such an important issue for their generation. Her enthusiasm and passion for service and learning is not only inspiring, but contagious."

 

Dr. Flora Lu (faculty), is Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology. Dr. Lu teaches environmental justice issues in a community-based research course, in which students collaborate with community partners to define their research based on community needs and communicate their findings back to the community in relevant ways. Undergraduates have worked on issues from assessing hog waste technologies to investigating the feasibility of UNC purchasing locally produced food. • Her nominator described her work in this way: “In her Environmental Justice course, Dr. Lu enabled undergraduates to be part of the UNC research community and to experience with her the values of engaged scholarship and community-based research. Everyone benefited from this course: community partners, students, undergraduate education, UNC and North Carolina. And Dr. Flora Lu was the amazing and thoughtful catalyst!”

Students:

 
Megan Ellenson has devoted her two years as a Master of Public Health student to working with and for the Burmese immigrant community in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Meg’s nominator had this to say about her work: “Based on my experience of having worked with her for the entire year, I can say unequivocally that Meg Ellenson is a student of the highest caliber. She has been undaunted in her work with the Burmese community despite the many hurdles she has encountered, including language and culture barriers, a social services system not yet fully equipped to handle the influx of this new community, and the extreme challenge of responding appropriately and ethically to community members who had been subjected to torture and persecution. She is leaving the community with high quality products and a stronger service structure than when she began. In sum, I believe Meg Ellenson is the embodiment of a Bryan Awardee.”

 

Thanh-Thu Tran, a second year medical student, was honored for her work in initiating and nurturing the involvement of the School Of Medicine with Orange County’s Special Olympics program. For the last two years Thu has recruited medical students to serve as coaches as well as medical staff for events and competitions. In addition she organizes a School Of Medicine’s “Day of Service” project with Special Olympics.
Her nominator had this to say about her, “Thu’s long-standing commitment to the Special Olympics during her undergraduate and professional education at UNC serves as an excellent example to others. Thu is among the most dedicated, compassionate, and inspiring coaches who have served Special Olympics. Her commitment has not been diminished by the demands of medical school. Instead, Thu has found a way to couple her vocational aspirations with her devotion to the SOOC community. Thu’s passion for serving others will make her an exceptional physician as it has made her an invaluable leader in the Special Olympics Orange County community.”

2007

Faculty and Staff:

Dr. Giselle Corbie-Smith (faculty), Associate Professor in the School of Medicine. Dr. Corbie-Smith is is the principal investigator for Project GRACE, a collaborative partnership working to eliminate health disparities in communities within Edgecombe & Nash counties here in North Carolina. The initial and current focus of the Project is HIV/AIDS. Using a community-based participatory research model,. Dr. Corbie-Smith is working with community groups and individuals, seeking interventions that will be acceptable to the community as well as effective in reducing the incidence and spread of HIV/AIDS. Her nominator described her work in this way: “Dr. Corbie-Smith presents herself in a quiet, self-effacing manner which complements the community-based participatory research model very nicely. A more dominant presence would interfere, even defeat, the community members' participation. Thus, Dr. Corbie Smith is a key participant, as well as leader, in Project GRACE.”

Students:

Janet Lopez, a fourth year doctoral candidate in Culture, Curriculum and Change in the School of Education, is honored for her contributions to the Scholars Latino Intiative (SLI). As Director, Janet oversees all aspects of this partnership between UNC-Chapel Hill and Jordan Matthews High School in Siler City, NC. SLI has the mission to promote equity and access to the North Carolina educational system for all students, including Latinos. To this end, the program pairs UNC sophomore undergraduates with Jordan Matthews sophomore students for a three-year mentoring relationship. Her nominators said this about Janet: “Janet goes above and beyond, helping mentors with grant applications, providing additional reading about immigration issues, inviting them to conferences and lectures, and generally acting as a mentor for both the UNC students and the Siler City high-school students, inspiring both groups to achieve academically and personally by engaging in positive self-development.” And, “Janet melded her scholarship with service by acting as a community bridge between Chapel Hill and Siler City. She is an agent for change within North Carolina, inspiring undergraduates and administrators alike to support the rich futures of Latino youth through broadened access to higher education”.

Nicole Norfleet, a sophomore, started “Suits for Success” when she came to campus last year. Her nominator writes that when Nicole was in high school and had to go to special events she always wore the same suit - the only one she owned. She also noticed that she was often one of the only black students at the events she attended. Recognizing the need among low income high school students to have at least one suit to prepare themselves for future academic and personal success, Nicole created “Suits for Succcess”. Specifically targeting at-risk Durham high school students, the program assists them in their pursuit of success in academics and beyond by giving them the opportunity to speak to peers attending the University and ask questions about their potential for attending college, with the ultimate goal of providing them with new business suits donated by local businesses. Her nominator said this about Nicole: “Nicole has continued to amaze me in her sincere efforts to learn and soak in every resource that she is provided. She never hesitates to ask questions or consider new methods of achieving her goal of increasing minority enrollment in higher-level education. Many students pursue new endeavors and many students sustain old ones, but few have the character and determination to do both.”

2006

Faculty and staff:

Dr. John Graham (faculty) of the School of Public Health is the chair of the Incubator Advisory Board and has an active involvement in this state-wide service project. Public Health Incubator Collaboratives are regional groups of North Carolina local health departments that band together to solve locally-identified public health problems. Dr. Graham has engaged county health directors, coordinated the formation of the Incubators, advised on strategic planning and projects, acted as principal investigator, and managed many grants. Dr. Graham helps health directors at every step of the process to establish their Incubators. In addition, he travels the state to understand issues faced by Incubator groups and meets regularly with Incubator participants to problem solve and advise them.

Blair Turner (staff) is directly involved in the organization and support of the Free HIV Testing in community outreach locations. She not only organizes the events but is active in the direct service of the event. Blair plans the event and schedules the volunteers; helps set up the site and take it down; and she is active in engaging with the people being tested and encouraging others to be tested. Through her efforts, the testing has been offered at Festifall in October and World AIDS Day in December. In addition, Blair also has testing planned at UNC in March, NC State in February, and Applechill and the Latino Health Fair in April. Not only does this free testing allow participants to learn their HIV status immediately, but also helps facilitate more people being tested. The outreach events provide a free, easy and non medical setting to reach people who may not otherwise be tested.

Students:

 

Laura Malone was the co-director for the first ever Duke-Carolina Student Basketball Marathon. The Basketball Marathon serves children in North Carolina with life-threatening illnesses at both Duke Medical Center and UNC Hospitals with the help of the partner organization, Hoop Dreams Basketball Marathon. She helped develop a mentoring and support program in which the members from both Duke and Carolina work together to provide direct support to terminally-ill children as well as raising money to help Hoop Dreams expand its preexisting programs. She made the event a success in raising over $60,000 for the children. In addition, Laura was influential in making the Basketball Marathon an official student organization, and she is now the official President of the organization which she is currently working to register as an official non-profit.

James Wallace of the School of Medicine was the co-director of the Student Health Action Coalition from March 2004- March 2005. SHAC is a student-run organization that provides free health care and social services to local residents and communities. Mr. Wallace strengthened the interdisciplinary collaboration within SHAC and made significant improvements in the annual stability of the organization. As co-director, he directed the efforts of 40 program coordinators and over 650 volunteers toprovide free clinical services to 1,800 patients in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro community. Also, he was instrumental in developing and implementing SHAC Outreach, a project aimed at providing ongoing health services through partnerships with local communities. Examples of outreach partnerships include a diabetes clinic in two rural churches and a wellness program in a community center for adults with mental illness.

2005

Faculty and Staff:

Dr. Lee Marcus (faculty) came to UNC and Division TEACCH in 1974 to direct one of its three clinics for the diagnosis and treatment of autism. The clinic’s mandate is to provide treatment services primarily to children and adolescents with autism and their families, but Lee has extended the clinic’s service to the larger community by starting and championing a support group for parents of adults with autism. In addition, he has also created a culture of community service within the TEACCH clinic he directs. Marcus believes that everyone at the clinic should also become involved in cooperative endeavors with the autism community outside the clinic walls.

Jock Lauterer (staff), professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication is the creator, leader, heart and soul of the Carolina Community Media Project, an effort that includes outreach to each of the state’s 181 community newspapers and a course that teaches students about community newspapers. Since 2001, his innovative program has strengthened ties between the University and community newspapers throughout the state as well as brought community journalism more firmly into the curriculum.

Student:

Philip Andrew Sherrill, senior Exercise and Sports Science major, is honored for the creation of the Hispanic Swimming and Safety Awareness Program. There is a growing need for swimming and water safety awareness among the Hispanic community, and Philip created this program to provide free swimming lessons and water safety instruction, to local Hispanic citizens in their native language. Hispanic children ranging in age from four to fourteen are given free swim lessons by students and staff who have an experienced background both in speaking Spanish and teaching swimming.

Rebecca Lynn Sowder is honored for spearheading the UNC Habitat Blitz Build. Becca, who is an Environmental Science major, has served as co-chair of UNC Student Habitat for Humanity, built a coalition of campus groups (involving groups from fraternities to the senior class) to help in various ways. And thanks largely to her efforts, the UNC community had an opportunity to change the life of a family in February when students, faculty, and staff joined together to build a Habitat house in three days for a UNC employee and her two children.

2004

Faculty and Staff:

Katrina Coble (staff), administrative manager in the College of Arts and Sciences' department of computer science, is the chair of the university-wide blood drive, the nation's second-largest blood drive. She manages the blood drive's kickoff and recruiter training; this year, she led one of the university's most successful drives, with 1,031 units of blood collected.

Elizabeth Millwood (staff), an administrative assistant for the Center for the Study of the American South, supports grassroots oral history research under way across North Carolina. A frequent workshop leader, Millwood also trains graduate students to deliver oral history short courses. They, in turn, fan out statewide to work with local historical societies, community groups, museum staffs and others seeking to create a connection to the past through oral history.

Students:

Megan Davy, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences' department of public policy, is the founder of Project OpenHand in Chapel Hill. This project links members of the UNC campus community with Alamance and Chatham county residents who are living with HIV and AIDS. Preparing and delivering seven home-cooked meals a week, Project OpenHand is designed to meet the nutritional needs of these residents.

David Edwards, a graduate student in the School of Public Health's department of epidemiology, is honored for his work with mothers and children at the Carolina Children's Clinic in Raleigh's Salvation Army Shelter. Edwards has brought together pre-medical and nursing students and other prospective future health-care professionals from throughout the Triangle to provide health-education services to mothers and children.

 

2003

Pamela York Frasier, research assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine is honored for her work with Building Rural Community Connections, a collaborative program of the UNC Healthworks for Women Project and Domestic Violence Programs in Pender, Duplin, and Sampson counties. This project began after an initial assessment by Healthworks for Women revealed that nearly 40% of the women participating in their project were or had been victims of domestic violence.
As a nominator stated, “Dr. Frasier made it clear from the beginning that her role was not that of a leader but a helper. It is no secret, however, that she was the driving force that insured the project’s success. Her optimism regarding participatory research and her willingness to provide support and technical assistance brought hope to these rapidly stagnating rural communities.”

Catherine Ingram Fogel, professor in the School of Nursing, for the program Enhancing the Health of Incarcerated Women, based in the North Carolina Correctional Institute for Women. This program serves as a national model for holistic health care for women who are incarcerated – addresses numerous issues including primary health care, support groups and group therapy for HIV and eating disorders, and parenting.
Her nomination includes these words, “Her work with enhancing the health care of incarcerated women receives international recognition, but what comes across so clearly is Dr. Fogel’s love for her work and her dedication to the women she serves.”

Students:

Karine Dube - As president of APPLES Service-Learning Program, Karine Dube guided the student run organization through a time of transition, ensuring continued opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in community efforts through service learning classes and alternative fall and spring breaks. During her 4-year involvement with APPLES, she has helped the organization move forward and establish a permanent source of funding.
Karine’s nominator summarized her many contributions to the APPLES program, including her responsibilities as Secretary-Treasurer, Chair of Public Relations and President stating, “Karine helped build lasting ties between local organizations and the University, her exemplary leadership during the search for a director ensured that APPLES continues to operate smoothly and without interruptions.”

Kathleen Wirth, Chair of the Public Service and Advocacy Committee for the Executive Branch of Student Government, receives the Bryan award for organization of student government public service efforts – establishing several important initiatives, including the first annual system-wide day of service developed by the Association of Student Governments – a success despite the last Saturday’s rain!
Students nominating Kathleen stated, “It should be noted that Kathleen has a rare passion for public service that is matched by very few others we have come across during our stay at Carolina. Through the year, she has consistently encouraged Student Government’s participation in the local community, especially through weekly opportunities that the Committee members and other Student Government members participate in within the Chapel Hill community.”

 

2002

 

Emilie McGlone - Student '02 2002 Bryan Award Winners
Emily founded the student organization Heels on Wheels (HOW) in 1999. Heels on Wheels is a food delivery service that collects leftovers from Greek organization kitchens and delivers the food to the local community shelter four nights a week. In the past, HOW has also played a role in the College Round up for Hunger. HOW helped publicize this event and collected left-over foods from all of the dorms on campus, delivering over 1,000 pounds of food to needy families in the Triangle.

Scott Werry - Student '03 Scott served as the Overall Coordinator for the successful 2002 Dance Marathon. As Coordinator, he gave up much of his life to work for what he believes in most - serving others through building bridges. Dance Marathon unifies the UNC campus and community in a collaborative effort to interact with the children and families receiving care at the N.C. Children's Hospital. It demonstrates support for their needs and raises funds to address those needs. The Dance Marathon has become and will continue to be a celebrated tradition at Carolina.

Georgine Lamvu-Schooler - Medical Resident, Dept. OB-GYN
Dr. Lamvu Schooler founded MEDWorld in 1999. It is a program that collects surplus and recyclable medical supplies and equipment for redistribution to developing countries. It has recovered and shipped hundreds of boxes of supplies worth over $2 million to over 30 countries around the globe. MEDWorld is currently organized as a non-profit charitable and educational organization under the auspices of the NC Medical Foundation.

Mary Morrison - Director, APPLES Service-Learning Program
APPLES seeks not to reinvent the wheel, but instead works in partnership with nonprofit agencies to plug student initiative and creativity into situations where people are already working to address a visible need. Mary has served as the Director of APPLES since 1995 and is a passionate advocate for students and service-learning. APPLES places over 800 students a semester at over 150 nonprofit agencies in the area.

 

2001

 

Daniel Bradford - In his third year of medical school, Dr. Bradford began volunteering with Club Nova, a psychosocial rehabilitation program, and organized a "Benefit Concert for Mental Health" that benefited Club Nova and the Mental Health Association.

Dee Gamble - She was an early member of America's Peace Corp with interests in rural communities, international development and improving the conditions for North Carolina's rapidly growing immigrant populations.
Dennis Markatos - A senior Morehead Scholar, he has traveled to third world countries such as Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, India, and Pakistan with different delegations to volunteer his services.

Michael Ullman - He co-founded the non-profit organization Community Cuisine, a Chapel Hill organization dedicated to using the culinary arts to promote self sufficiency by providing skills training to adults and youth, especially those on federal and state welfare.

 

2000

 

Karen Kennedy Binder - She was instrumental in founding Cornucopia House in 1995, which offers vital emotional support and information about cancer and cancer treatments.

Jessica Fields - She founded the Feminist Alliance and played a primary role in the development of a cultural diversity curriculum that is used in many departments at UNC today.

James H. Johnson, Jr. - As a faculty member of the Kenan Flagler Business School, he distinguishes himself daily by his outreach to the citizens of North Carolina, particularly to those citizens and communities that are marginalized economically, educationally, and socially.

Donna LeFebvre - A faculty member in the Political Science Department, she has served on virtually every University committee engaged in implementing public service for this campus.

Robyn Schryer - She has been a significant part of APPLES and spent a summer at MANNA food bank in Asheville.

Rachel Willis - With more than a dozen teaching and public service awards already to her credit, she has become one of the most effective practitioners of a service learning pedagogy linked to an active research agenda.


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