The staff of UNC's News and Public Relations office has picked the 10 feature stories from 2011 that they think best capture the spirit of the university and its students, faculty and staff. Here they are in no particular order.
Dreaming Big
Armando Silva gave up the security of a full-time job at a local car dealership to pursue a dream of using his UNC degree in Visual Arts to make a living as a painter. It's a big dream that requires a big canvas. Continue reading
Miracle Worker
As a sophomore, UNC student Rachel Rose Jackson co-founded a nonprofit organization that provides ongoing relief and support to women and children living on the streets of Accra, Ghana. Continue reading
March Madness Invades UNC
The success of the UNC men's basketball team, which includes a Big Sky Conference Championship and the program's first trip to the NCAA post-season tournament, has propelled the school into the national spotlight and students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members are all enjoying basking in its warmth. Continue reading
Brain Research at UNC Draws National Attention
While Colorado and other states are taking measures to help sport coaches recognize concussions in young athletes, research on traumatic brain injuries being conducted at the University of Northern Colorado is informing how helmets might better protect the athletes from injury in the first place. Continue reading
Hoyt Receives UNC's Top Faculty Honor
UNC Professor of Oceanography Bill Hoyt of the College of Natural and Health Sciences was selected as the recipient of the 2011 M. Lucille Harrison Award, the university's top faculty honor. The annual award recognizes a faculty member with a distinguished career in teaching, professional activity and service. Continue reading
Journeys to Graduation
Students' paths to earn their UNC degree take many different twists and turns. Four students walking in UNC's spring 2011 undergraduate commencement ceremonies share their unique journeys. Continue reading
Into the Wild Blue Yonder
Four current and two former UNC Physics majors saw a year-long effort end in success July 21 when the experiment they spent thousands of hours preparing was successfully jettisoned from a NASA sub-orbital rocket into outer space 76 miles above Earth. Continue reading
Thankful for Dad on Father's Day
University of Northern Colorado student Brittany Wallace was accustomed to her stepfather, Bobby Henline, being gone for 15 months at a time, but right after the U.S. Army staff sergeant left in 2007 for his fourth deployment to Iraq, she had a bad feeling. Continue reading
Like Father, Like Daughter
Tom McNally and his daughter, Gillian McNally, are mainstays in UNC's theater programs. In the next week, they'll be honored by their peers on the national and regional levels, respectively, with Gillian receiving the same award her father earned 16 years ago. Continue reading
Playing a Different Game
The most popular sport from the wizarding world of Harry Potter is no longer available to only witches and wizards. With a few minor adjustments to the game, quidditch has made its way into the lives of muggles and has landed at UNC. Continue reading
