TABLE OF CONTENTS FRONT PAGE NEXT ARTICLE PREVIOUS ARTICLE
"Write to the University When You Need Help."
That phrase served as the University's unofficial motto in 1916 when Edward
Kidder Graham was president. His philosophy was that Carolina belonged to the
people of the state, and when citizens needed help, the University should
provide it.
Now, Nicholas M. Didow will continue the University's tradition of helping
the state's residents in his new capacity as director of the Carolina Center
for Public Service. Didow's appointment was effective Sept. 1 and confirmed by
the Board of Trustees.
The Carolina Center for Public Service will build upon the University's strong
legacy of good works by connecting its students, faculty, staff and other
resources with the citizens of North Carolina and beyond. The center -- one of
a few such university-based "clearinghouses" in the country -- has been called
a gateway that will connect Carolina's resources with the needs of citizens.
Didow brings a wealth of experience that will serve the Carolina Center for
Public Service well, said Richard Richardson, provost.
"Anyone who has worked with Nick immediately recognizes and appreciates the
deep sense of responsibility he feels for giving something back to his
community, University and state," Richardson said. "When he sees a need, he
isn't content with waiting for others to address it. His willingness to roll up
his shirt sleeves and be part of the solution makes Nick the ideal choice to
head the Carolina Center for Public Service."
Although Carolina is a major research institution, its public-service efforts
have been decentralized, making it hard for people off campus to know exactly
what services exist or how to find them.
The Carolina Center for Public Service will seek to change this by offering
"one-stop shopping" where anyone with a public-service question or need can
contact the center, and officials will try to find helpful University
resources.
If Carolina doesn't have an appropriate resource, center officials will
attempt to find help somewhere else or otherwise marshal University resources
to address emerging issues and problems across the state.
Similarly, Carolina faculty, staff and students seeking to become engaged in
public-service activities can look to the center to provide leadership,
coordination and expertise.
About 7 percent of Carolina's budget supports public service, according to the
University's Office of Institutional Research. Last year, Carolina reached more
than 400,000 people across the state of North Carolina via its public-service
activities.
Didow, who holds a doctorate in marketing from Northwestern University, also
serves as an associate professor at the Kenan-Flagler Business School.
His public-service experience includes heading the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City
Schools' Board of Education, and participating in two separate chancellor's
task forces addressing labor code and licensing issues. He co-taught
"Economics, Ethics and Impacts of the Global Economy: The Nike Example" in
1998, a widely acclaimed course that looked at the international ramifications
of businesses moving overseas.
He also has served on the Chapel Hill Drug Action Committee, helped launch a
pre-school at University United Methodist Church, sat on the Methodist
Foundation Board of Directors and coached softball for the Chapel Hill Parks
and Recreation League.
A native of Monroe, Didow earned his undergraduate and master's degrees from
Carolina.
"I enthusiastically support efforts to better connect the various assets and
intellectual resources of this campus with the people of this state and
nation," Didow said. "The Carolina Center for Public Service is a natural step
in the progression of my professional and personal interests and activities,
and I am delighted with the prospect of leading this exciting new endeavor in
the University's history."
Specifically, the Carolina Center for Public Service will:
* Increase the University's ability to respond to the state's public-service
needs;
* Provide a way for citizens, community leaders, legislators and government
officials to learn about public service at Carolina;
* Strengthen Carolina's partnerships with public and private organizations;
* Support community-based education and public-service activities;
* Promote public service and community-based education among faculty, staff
and students; and
* "Tell the story" of the University's public service to the people of North
Carolina.
Secretary Shalala to help launch Carolina Center for Public Service
The official kick off for the Carolina Center for Public Service will take
place Sept. 24, at 3 p.m. on Polk Place. U.S. Health and Human Services
Secretary Donna Shalala will be the featured speaker. Faculty and staff are
encouraged to attend the free event.
To UNC-CH Home Page