CHECK IT OUT

Chancellor Holden Thorpe posted his University Day address on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/user/UNCChapelHill

BY BETH VELLIQUETTE

bvelliquette@heraldsun.com; 918-1042

CHAPEL HILL -- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill celebrated its 216th birthday Monday with a commitment to overcoming the economic challenges it faces and emerging as a global leader.

Oct. 12 marks the day in 1793 that the cornerstone of the university was laid at Old East, UNC's first building. The ceremony in Memorial Hall was marked by a processional of the faculty in academic regalia from the Old Well into the hall as the UNC Ceremonial Band played.

"This was the beginning of public education in the United States, and it happened right here in Chapel Hill," Chancellor Holden Thorp said as he pointed out distinguished guests Bill Friday and Molly Broad, former presidents of the university.

Erskine Bowles, president of the UNC system, told the audience how much he loved the university.

"To say that I love, really love, this university here in Chapel Hill would be a gross understatement," Bowles said.

"More than anything else, I want to come here today to say, thank you," Bowles said.

Noting that UNC has had to make budget cuts because of the economy, which meant abolishing 900 positions, Bowles said it has been a very difficult process.

The budget was reduced by $41 million, but university officials tried to maintain as many academic positions as it could, he said. But it meant people, friends, lost jobs, he said.

"Clearly this has been a painful time for them, but I want you to know it has been very painful to you who have had to make these very difficult decisions."

Bowles praised Thorp for the work he has done to get through the difficult times.

"By any measure, Holden Thorp is doing a phenomenal job," Bowles said. "He is, without question, the single best decision I've ever made in my life."

N.C. Gov. Beverly Perdue, the keynote speaker, who said she's been trying to become a real Carolina person for 30 years, said there is not another university in the world like Carolina.

"Throughout our history, Carolina has answered the call to service by enriching the economy, the society and the democracy, by improving the lives of our people, and by educating North Carolina's future leaders," Perdue said.

Perdue mentioned how in the 1950's UNC joined with other universities to create the Research Triangle Park.

"Now North Carolina is recognized around the globe for research and innovation, and, thus, the face of North Carolina's economy has changed forever more," she said.

"In 2003, this university established the Carolina Covenant to help low-income students get a world-class education without debt," Perdue said. "Now across America the Carolina Covenant stands as an example to all colleges and universities."

The university has changed the state and its people, Perdue said.

"North Carolinians believed that this one university, owned by the people, could change not only the present but the future of our destiny, the destiny of a state and a country and now our world," Perdue said. "Those simple ideas, those simple ideas, are the provenance, the essence, of Carolina, the people's university -- our priceless gem."

Distinguished Alumna and Alumnus Awards were given to: Janie McLawhorn Fouke, who obtained an M.S. in 1980 and a Ph.D. in 1982. She is considered one of the foremost experts in the field of biomedical engineering;

Santiago Gangotena, who obtained a Ph.D. in 1977. He founded the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, the first private university in Ecuador, in 1987.

Mariel Margaret (Mia) Hamm, who received an A.B. in 1994. She led the United States women's soccer teams to two world championships and two Olympic gold medals.

Walter Edward Hussman Jr., who received an A.B. in Journalism in 1968. He is publisher and head of WEHCO Media of Little Rock, Arkansas, which operates a number of daily and weekly newspapers and cable television companies in five states. He has resisted the trend of most newspapers to cut staff and instead increased news coverage at the Arkansas Democrat.

William Frederick Little, who received an M.A. in 1952 and a Ph.D. in 1954, was given the award posthumously. He was chairman of UNC's chemistry department and a driving force behind the creation and development of the Research Triangle Park.