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May 15, 2006Carolina in the News
Here is a sampling of links and notes about Carolina people and programs cited recently in the media:
International Coverage
Clue to grapefruit drug reaction
BBC News
Scientists say they have the best evidence to date pinpointing the substance in grapefruit that can interact dangerously with some drugs. Grapefruit is known to increase the rate at which some drugs - including cholesterol and blood pressure medications - enter the blood stream. ... A team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill tested the theory that furanocoumarins, and not flavonoids, were to blame for inhibiting the enzyme.
UNC News Release: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/may06/grapefruitstudy050806.htmKenan-Flagler centre doubles in size
Financial Times (United Kingdom)
The University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler executive education centre has doubled in size. The Paul Rizzo Conference Center at Meadowmont, which opened in 2000, has an additional 20,000sq ft of classroom space, including a tiered lecture hall and a large classroom that can either be subdivided into smaller rooms, or opened into a room large enough to host banquets.National Coverage
Seat belt push pursues pickups
USA Today
Kella Simmons doesn't wear a seat belt. Never has. His refusal to do so led to a stack of citations that resulted in his driver's license being revoked, he says. "I got it reinstated," says Simmons, 41. "I got a bad back. My doctor says if I had an accident wearing a seat belt and I got turned the wrong way, I'd be paralyzed. Until they put seat belts on motorcycles, I'm not going to wear one." ... In the South, not wearing seat belts is "part of the culture, being independent and beholden to no one," says William Ferris, a director of the Center for the Study of the American South at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "There's always been a kind of macho association between the pickup and the Southern male. It initially was a very rural association. Today, it's often a second vehicle in a suburban family, often a very fancy pickup with a second seat."The Two-Star Rebel
The Wall Street Journal
Six days after he called for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to leave his post, retired Maj. Gen. John Batiste faced a crushing moment of doubt. Earlier that morning, Mr. Rumsfeld had brushed off Gen. Batiste and other critics as inflexible bureaucrats, uncomfortable with change. A few hours later, President Bush vowed to stand by his secretary. ... To some, that doesn't make sense. "Who are we kidding? It is a distinction without a difference," says Richard Kohn, a professor of military history at the University of North Carolina. Since the president has said he supports Mr. Rumsfeld, "for Gen. Batiste to speak out is to contradict the president. It is his right, legally and constitutionally. But in my opinion, it is not appropriate or consonant with a professional military career." Public protests by retired generals politicize the Army and undermine respect for the leadership among serving soldiers, he says.Anti-drug overdose?
The Los Angeles Times
Like millions of kids across America, ninth-grader Mariana Kouloumian was taught in elementary school not to drink or use drugs — ever. To her, the message seemed clear except for one hitch: It didn't square with what she saw in the real world, or even at home. "When I told my parents what I learned in [school], that drinking was bad, they said they knew that, but that a drink once in a while was OK," Mariana says. ... "Oversimplification is just one reason most school-based drug-prevention programs don't work," says David Hanson, professor emeritus of sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who has spent the last 30 years studying alcohol use, abuse and education. "The decisions kids face are more nuanced than most drug programs make them appear."Someone in your corner
The Los Angeles Times
The most valuable asset for coping with today's medical system may be an adult family member — preferably one who is well-educated, tactful, feisty and unemployed. This ideal relative would stay at your bedside in the hospital to make sure overworked nurses notice if your vital signs are going downhill or to ensure that the right medications are given at the right time. He or she would research your disease, take notes during doctor visits and even ask the questions you forget. ... And the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is creating a set of courses to teach patient advocacy as a career.Regional Coverage
Cracks in 'Code'
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
As we get closer to solving the ultimate mystery - how is the movie version of "The Da Vinci Code"? - the Journal Sentinel takes a look at different sides of the story. ... Jesus was considered more than a mortal prophet prior to that time, according to Bart Ehrman, author of "Truth and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code" and chairman of the department of religious studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.State & Local Coverage
UNC graduates learn advantages of naiveté
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
With Carolina blue skies above and several thousand graduates wearing light blue robes, UNC Chapel Hill Chancellor James Moeser couldn't help but make the reference: ... With that mention of UNC's rivalry with Duke University, thousands stood and cheered at Kenan Stadium, where approximately 3,053 students received bachelor's degrees, 1,338 received master's degrees, 325 received doctoral degrees and 661 received professional degrees and certificates.
UNC News Release: http://www.unc.edu/news/newstips/2006/commencement051106.htm
Wendy Kopp's Commencement Address: http://www.unc.edu/news/Speeches/commencement051406.htmScenes from UNC commencement
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
UNC undergraduate candidates for graduation bounce one of several beach balls around as they file into Kenan Stadium on Sunday. ... Photo gallery of pictures from commencement inside link.Mother, son to graduate from UNC today
The Chapel Hill Herald
During this morning's commencement at UNC, Edith and Keshava Best will be sitting in different parts of the student section. Edith Best has earned a master's and doctorial degrees in education; her son Keshava Best has earned a bachelor's degree in business.Skies shine on college grads
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
UNC-Chapel Hill students celebrate their new status of graduates as commencement ends Sunday morning. Meredith and Duke universities also held graduation ceremonies Sunday morning. ... Many of the new graduates recalled those words -- and (UNC Chapel Hill Chancellor James) Moeser's urging them to take one more sip from the landmark Old Well -- as the most memorable part of the ceremony. "I just thought his words spoke more to my experience here," Amy Steadman of Brevard said.Thousands turn the tassels at Kenan
WHCL-AM (Chapel Hill)
Finding a true passion in life in part of a healthy life, according to UNC commencement speaker Wendy Kopp. Kopp, the President and Founder for Teach for America, spoke to over 29-thousand people at Kenan Stadium Sunday afternoon. Teach for America recruits graduating seniors from top colleges to teach for two years, at entry-level wages, in some of the nation’s most disadvantaged grade schools.What commencement means to town (Editorial)
The Chapel Hill Herald
It is a day of mixed emotions around here. While graduates, friends, families and well-wishers gather this morning in Kenan Stadium for UNC's spring commencement, the rest of the community tries to stay as far away from campus as possible. ... The day of commencement reminds us, as well, of how transient is the community in which we live. Every year, 5,000 or so new residents join us temporarily and 5,000 or so temporary residents leave us. And that's just the students.Grads, profs line up for this leader
The Chapel Hill News
In the 40 years that Ron Hyatt has participated in UNC graduations as a faculty member, one stands out in his mind as both sad and joyous. Hyatt drove into Chapel Hill from his home south of town at around 7 a.m. on Mother's Day, May 12, 1996. As faculty marshal for commencement, he had a big morning ahead of him that day. ... Hyatt has served as professor of exercise and sports science at UNC since 1966. For 10 years, starting in 1993, he served as faculty marshal, in charge of leading the faculty procession for commencement exercises and on University Day.The UNC fire, 10 years after
The Chapel Hill News
Fire Chief Dan Jones said the image sticks in his mind. On a beautiful morning 10 years ago, graduates in Carolina blue gowns watched as five students left the smoldering Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house in body bags. With a push by the fire chief and others, the state's universities have greatly improved fire-safety measures since the May 12, 1996, blaze just off the UNC campus.Tragedy on campus calls for renewed vigilance (Editorial)
The Chapel Hill News
It was a gorgeous spring morning, and all over town people awoke looking forward to the day. It was Mother's Day and UNC's commencement. Then smoke rose into the predawn sky. Fire swept through the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity building at a ferocious speed. Five young people, three of them from Rocky Mount, died in the blaze. The tragedy devastated the campus and community.Grieving mother's journey continues 10 years after fire
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
We've barely settled down with our coffee in Bonnie Woodruff's elegantly appointed sunroom when there comes a loud, strange banging sound from the interior of the house. "That's a great Ben story!" Woodruff declares and leaps to her feet, leading me with quick steps to a glassed-in atrium off the foyer. With obvious relief, she launches into one of her favorite tales, about a boy and a turtle, and a happier time. ... The 10-year anniversary of the Mother's Day fire that took the lives of Bonnie Woodruff's only son, Ben Woodruff, and four other students at UNC-Chapel Hill: Joanna Howell of Cary, and Josh Weaver, Anne Smith and Mark Strickland, all of Rocky Mount.
Related Links: http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/439318.html
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/439312.html
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/439314.html
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/439316.html"North Carolina Voices: Studying High School (Segment Two)"
WUNC-FM
We begin a series this morning called “North Carolina Voices: Studying High School.” These days it seems that everybody’s talking about what’s wrong with high schools. But the quest to fix them has been underway for decades. Reform is a work in progress. Ideas come and go. And as Laura Leslie reports, it’s not unusual for yesterday’s solution to turn into today’s problem. ... Thomas James Dean of UNC at Chapel Hill's School of Education is featured.
UNC News Serives: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/may06/highschool050406.htm"Morning News"
WRAL-TV (Raleigh, N.C.)
This morning on the Early Show, the sole survivor will accept his one million dollar check. He will also recap the final episode from his point of view. Just stay with WRAL for the Early Show after our morning news. Today a birthday party is planned for a man who would be 250 years old. A professor dressed as UNC-Chapel Hill founder William Davie will ride on horseback to Davie's historic home in Halifax. Davie wrote the bill to establish UNC. This is the first stop on the 2006 Tar Heel bus tour.
UNC News Release: http://www.unc.edu/news/media/2006/bustourdayone051206.htmLibrary exhibit shows printings
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
A leaf from the Gutenberg Bible, the first work in color by an English Printer and other rare items from the earliest years of moveable type are on display at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "Incunabula: The World of the Fifteenth Centrury is a free public exhibit that continues through Aug. 31 in Wilson Library.
Note: No link available. For a copy, email Todd at tvinyard@dev.unc.edu.
UNC News Release: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/may06/incunabula050506.htmWorking legislature (Letter to the Editor)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
You hit one target and missed another in your May 9 front-page story on North Carolina's "citizen legislature." You were right to highlight the shortage of lower-income, younger employed lawmakers. Solutions are not easy to come by in today's world of high campaign costs. And we are unlikely to create an election system that guarantees legislative seats to persons earning less than any set level of income. ... The writer Milton Heath is professor of public law and government at UNC-Chapel Hill's School of Government.Pricing gasoline
The Fayetteville Observer
The Pantry is suing convenience stores throughout the Southeast, alleging that they are selling gas too cheap. And the big chain is using state laws intended to protect small gas stations. ... And the laws that form the basis of its suits are immensely unpopular among economists, said James Smith, a professor of finance at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Chapel Hill could go wireless
The Chapel Hill Herald
Full-time geek or just occasional laptop user, you'll have a chance to talk wireless this week in a public forum sponsored by the Chapel Hill Town Council. The session is scheduled for Thursday starting at 7 p.m. in Town Hall, and it will include several speakers as well as a question-and-answer period. ... Shannon Schelin, director of the Center for Public Technology at UNC Chapel Hill's School of Government, will moderate the forum.Celebrating mommies-to-be
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
For many moms-to-be, all the things they meant to their mothers after their own births -- joy, love, sense of absolute wonder -- soon will be coming back to them. Of course, there's also the great doubt and quest to interpret cries, the panicked flipping through baby books at 2 a.m. to see if a cough is really just a cough and the temporary end of that activity in which a couple goes off alone for dinner and a movie, heretofore known as a "date." ... They live in Chatham County, and Weiss recently took a tour of the North Carolina Women's Hospital at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.ROTC vandals show conflicting values (Letter to the Editor)
The Chapel Hill News
On the morning of April 24, the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) buildings at both UNC and N.C. State University were found to be vandalized with anti-military statements. Such declarations included vulgar language such as "F--- OFF" and "We won't fight your wars." It's scandalous that these delusional individuals would direct their political views in such an immature and boorish way.Book examines Krispy Kreme’s rise, fall
The Asheville Citizen-Times
The red neon light says “Hot Doughnuts Now.” If you have never had the opportunity (or taken the time) to stop at a neighborhood Krispy Kreme store to enjoy those delectable glazed doughnuts while they are still hot, you have missed out on a piece of Americana — or, at least, a taste of a true North Carolina tradition. ... The company tapped into the vast knowledge resources of local universities, such as UNC Chapel Hill .School briefs: MSEN teams win 17 medals
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
Student members of the Math and Science Education Network, or MSEN, from Stanford and Stanback middle schools recently competed in a contest at N.C. State University. The teams won 17 medals and led the UNC Chapel Hill regional team to the state championship over six other regional squads.Issues & Trends
Ex-University President to Lead U.S. Math Panel
The New York Times
The Bush administration has named a former president of the University of Texas at Austin to lead a national panel to weigh in on the math wars playing out across the country. The politically fraught battle pits a more free-form approach to teaching math against the traditional method that emphasizes rules and formulas to solve number problems. The former president, Larry R. Faulkner, who led the university from 1998 until early this year, will be chairman of the National Math Panel, which President Bush created by executive order in mid-April.State universities turn to online classes for funding
News 14 (Time Warner)
The focus on overcrowding in public schools has overshadowed the growth in the state's public universities, but higher education also faces financial needs as universities continue to expand. ... UNC system president Erskine Bowles also said distance learning, or online classes, offered at UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Charlotte, and all across the state are helping a lot to bring in more money, and that helps the bottom line for students.UNC BOG approves priorities
The Chapel Hill Herald
UNC system President Erskine Bowles said on Friday that he is confident that the state General Assembly will approve his budget request for 5 percetn salry increases for faculty members in the 16-campus university system.
Note: No link available. For a copy, email Todd at tvinyard@dev.unc.edu.The changing face of historically black colleges
Fayetteville Observer
Madelyn Almote didn’t know what a historically black college was when she first set foot on the campus of Fayetteville State University. She decided to attend FSU after visiting during a winter break, when most students and faculty were off. It wasn’t until classes began that Almote, a white military wife, found out she would be in the minority at the school. ... Fayetteville State and the UNC system’s four other historically black colleges are under pressure to grow as they look to the future. They are also under pressure to diversify. They target white, Hispanic, Asian and older students with blitzes of advertising and must find ways to make life on their campuses appealing to members of those groups.
Produced by News Services, Carolina in the News is an e-mail sampling of current news media coverage about Carolina people and programs, as well as issues and trends that affect the university. Stories usually will be online and available free for a limited time - often one to two weeks. Expiration dates before stories move to archives vary by media outlet. Some outlets require free user registration or a subscription.
Carolina in the News is also posted daily to the News Services Web page, http://www.unc.edu/news/clips/index.shtml.
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