Water, Water, Everywhere

Over the next few years, you’re going to hear a lot of talk about water at Carolina. 

New research from UNC reports that 1.8 billion people – 28% of the world’s population – use unsafe water and millions of people die annually due to lack of access to clean, potable water for drinking, washing, and other uses. From disease to natural disasters like floods and droughts, water is a critical part of our lives – and one that’s easy to take for granted.

On March 22, Chancellor Thorp led the kickoff of the University-wide theme for the next two years, Water in Our World.  Not only will this be an academic theme on campus, but we’ll also be drawing upon the great work of the UNC Water Institute and our involvement with the US Water Partnership recently announced by Secretary of State Clinton.

You can learn more about these initiatives through the links above; stay up to date by following Water in Our World on Twitter at @UNCWater. Innovate@Carolina also has a wealth of information on the ways Carolina is making an impact on the world’s most pressing issues.   

Celebrating Undergraduate Research

The annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research is underway today in the Student Union. The event showcases the broad range of original research being performed by undergraduates at Carolina. Browse the 105 poster presentations and 35 platform presentations online to learn more about students' research projects.

The symposium is also a great opportunity for current students to learn about how they can get involved in research and network with fellow students and faculty who have projects underway.

On a related note, the DTH has an interesting story today about the state of undergraduate research. Despite some recent budget cuts, the Office of Undergraduate Research has actually seen an increase in the percentage of students participating in research-intensive coursework. Last year, 62% of graduating seniors had been involved in undergraduate research across the disciplines. Read more.

Student Stories

Last week, we had a fantastic time criss-crossing campus with a photographer, capturing student faces, voices and stories during a three-day photo shoot. We met with more than 40 students to snap their pictures and talk to them on video about their experiences at Carolina. I interviewed some amazing students who are doing extraordinary things--muscular dystrophy research, community development work with local schools, studying the conflict zones of the Republic of Georgia, to name just a few. I was blown away by these students, and I am a pretty tough one to impress.



The three-day shoot was tiring, but fun. We must have walked back and forth across this campus a dozen times. (Not all that bad a walk at all, as our Director Stephen Farmer wrote below, but a more difficult feat after the sixth time in one day!)

We're looking forward to sharing the video and stories that we are recording with all of you through this blog, as well as on our new website. We're redesigning the website, so look forward to much more multimedia and lots of opportunities to hear directly from current students.



But in the meantime we are getting ready to begin reading your applications! Consider this my first official reminder: the first deadline is just over three weeks away! I'm going to nag you as badly as your mother.

Below is a short excerpt from one of our interviews. Julia is a senior chemistry major; she's the one doing the muscular dystrophy research. When I asked her to tell me more about her research, her eyes just lit up and she enthusiastically began talking. I think that's the thing I love most about being on this campus--people here seem to find a passion, and they just run with it. The enthusiasm is contagious and inspiring. Enjoy!