Summer 2008

Dean's column

In this issue of the College of Arts & Sciences eNewsletter, you will find stories about some exciting recent activities involving College faculty and students — research in the Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, a trip to Bhutan led by faculty in the Department of Geography, a recent grant award that will assist us in developing new courses in Asian Studies, and the impressive accomplishments of Billy Lee, a professor of art whose work will be displayed in Beijing during the Olympics. I hope you enjoy reading them.

The campus recently said goodbye to Chancellor Patricia Sullivan, whose inspired leadership has helped UNCG achieve so many great things over the past 14 years. The Patricia A. Sullivan Science Building, named in her honor, will stand as a permanent reminder of her contributions. This month, we welcome Dr. Linda P. Brady as UNCG's 10th chancellor and all of us are eager to hear about the new directions and initiatives that she will take to build on the university's accomplishments and successes.

Many College departments will be involved in the continued development of the Joint School of Nanoscience & Nanoengineering, working with Founding Dean James G. Ryan, who moved to Greensboro this summer to lead this important project. Dr. Ryan brings a wealth of experience and accomplishments from his previous positions with the College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering at the University at Buffalo, N.Y.

The College will welcome 29 new tenured and tenure-track faculty to its ranks in August, of whom 13 (45 percent) are members of minority groups. This is a testimony to our efforts in recent years to increase the diversity of the College faculty, recognizing that UNCG enrolls the largest percentage of minority students of all the historically white UNC campuses. Among our new faculty are Dr. Stanley Faeth, head of the Department of Biology; Dr. Tara Green, director of the African-American Studies Program; and Dr. William Gerace, professor of Physics & Astronomy and Helena Gabriel Houston Distinguished Professor for Science Education. This professorship is the first at UNCG funded by a gift from the C. D. Spangler Foundation.

The Students First Campaign has reached an important milestone, raising $100 million. Thus far, the College's contribution is $11.2 million. With a year left in the campaign, we are focusing on creating university-wide scholarships for graduate and undergraduate students, increasing faculty support, and assuring that our research centers are top notch.

If you were able to make a contribution to the campaign, please accept my heartfelt thanks. We still have many unmet needs. If you would like to make a contribution please visit the campaign web site at donate.uncg.edu for information about how you can make an impact.

— Dr. Timothy Johnston
    Dean, College of Arts & Sciences