For Faculty
September 25, 2008
Dear Colleagues:
In keeping with longstanding University tradition, our community will gather to celebrate the University’s birthday on University Day, Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. on Polk Place. Counting since 1793, we will be celebrating our 215th university birthday.
This year’s birthday commemoration will also be a time to look forward: we will install Holden Thorp as the University’s tenth chancellor. Chancellor Thorp will give an installation address, and the University’s UNC Ceremonial Band will play during a festive public ceremony steeped in campus history. A reception will follow on Polk Place.
Since 1971, the University has awarded Distinguished Alumna and Alumnus Awards on this day. This year’s recipients are: William Joseph Bynum Jr.; Dr. Leah McCall Devlin; Mary Wilmer (Molly) Barker; Dr. Walter Lowry Caudill; and Dr. Debra Wehrle Stewart.
I hope that you will join the faculty procession on University Day this year and bring a colleague or two with you. So that we may plan accordingly, please write to Anne Whisnant at the Office of Faculty Governance (anne_whisnant@unc.edu) to confirm your participation in the University Day processional. If you do plan to march, a response is requested by October 1st. If you do not plan to march, no reply is necessary.
The academic processional will assemble in Memorial Hall at 2:15 p.m. Faculty are asked to wear their academic regalia. Regalia may be rented or purchased through Student Stores (call 962-2427). In the event of rain, all of the events will be held at the Smith Center.
Come help us celebrate. Your participation will reinforce both the historical importance and the future implications of this special event, University Day 2008.
Sincerely,
Joseph Templeton
Chair of the Faculty