NEWS

Local angles: Chapel Hill, Durham,
Nags Head, Southport, New York City

Four receive GAA's highest honor for distinguished service to UNC

CHAPEL HILL -- The leader of the North Carolina Senate serving his 10th term and a former chancellor are among four recipients of the General Alumni Association's 2003 Distinguished Service Medal at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Marc Basnight of Nags Head, Paul Hardin of Chapel Hill, Margaret Taylor Harper of Durham and Richard Hampton Jenrette of New York were honored in a ceremony in Chapel Hill.

Basnight, a state senator since 1985 and now president pro tempore of the chamber, has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to education despite never having the chance to attend college himself. Basnight’s efforts in support of the 2000 higher education bond referendum were instrumental in providing $3.1 billion to help the state's universities and community colleges refurbish aging facilities, build to accommodate growth and modernize for teaching and learning in the 21^st century. These efforts brought $510 million to the Chapel Hill campus.

In the words of Chancellor James Moeser, Basnight "has been a true friend to Carolina, even in the most difficult of times. Carolina would not be where it is today without Marc's support and keen appreciation for the teaching, research and public service activities that take place on campus."

Hardin, a 1954 graduate of Duke University's law school, served as Carolina's chancellor from 1988 to 1995. He spearheaded the $320 million Bicentennial Campaign, which exceeded its goal by $120 million, and oversaw the yearlong observance of the university's 200^th birthday. He also presided over the tense evolution of the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History.

Hardin advocated greater diversity among students, faculty and upper administrative levels. he also established the Employee Forum for nonacademic employees. The George Watts Hill Alumni Center also became a reality with his support. Hardin now serves on UNC's law school faculty and several boards.

Harper, a graduate of Greensboro College and former publisher of Southport's The State Port Pilot, served two terms on the UNC Board of Trustees, for which she chaired several committees. Walter Royal Davis, who served with her on the board, said, "She was always there when she was needed and always willing to spend her time and effort to try to improve the university."

Harper also has served on the UNC Board of Visitors. She helped found the UNC Arts and Sciences Foundation in 1975 and later served on its board. Harper also served as secretary-treasurer of the N.C. Press Association, of which she is an honorary member, and president of the N.C. Press Women and N.C. Federation of Women's Clubs.

Jenrette graduated from UNC with a degree in journalism in 1951, having been editor of The Daily Tar Heel, and received a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University in 1957. A successful businessman, he served on the UNC Board of Trustees, Board of Visitors and Bicentennial Campaign Steering Committee.

A foundation bearing his name has made contributions to the Kenan-Flagler Business School MBA Fellowships, the Macon Patton Memorial Professorship, the Kuralt Learning Center in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and the School of Medicine. An active preservationist who has restored six historically significant homes, Jenrette also contributed to the renovations of Old East and Old West dormitories.

GAA's Distinguished Service Medal has been awarded since 1978 to alumni and others who have provided outstanding service to GAA or the university. The association is a self-governed, nonprofit organization serving alumni and friends of UNC.

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Contact: Doug Dibbert, president, GAA, (919) 962-7050, doug_dibbert@unc.edu.