The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill hosted a reception for more than 80 alumni and friends at Winston House in London. The reception was a prelude to the upcoming year of programming to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Winston House, Carolina’s European hub in historic Bedford Square.
The gathering on April 26, offered alumni and friends an opportunity to network and hear more about Carolina’s global activity from Chancellor Carol L. Folt; alumnus Peter Grauer, chairman of Bloomberg LP, chair of the UNC Global Taskforce and a former member of the UNC Board of Trustees; and Kevin Guskiewicz, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.
The reception was held in conjunction with the first meeting of the UNC Global Leadership Council outside of Chapel Hill, also held at Winston House Friday, April 28. Established in 2016, the council is a pan-University external fundraising board comprised of alumni, administrators and other constituencies of the University, led by alumnus Don Kanak, chairman of Prudential Corporation Asia. The council meets twice per year and focuses on financial support and advocacy for the University’s top global priorities.
At the reception, Folt highlighted the University’s redoubled efforts to provide opportunities to students with diverse backgrounds and discussed Carolina’s global presence and research.
Folt also discussed the strategic planning underway for UNC-Chapel Hill and how being a great university requires thinking and acting globally in all aspects of the University’s endeavors.
“The realities of our world are changing,” said Folt, noting the dramatic ways that technology is changing lives and collapsing distances in a world where there is no clear division between local and global problems or solutions.
To advance in the face of such changes, Folt acknowledged the role that the University has in preparing students to develop cross-cultural competencies and to operate in a competitive, globalized economy.
Guskiewicz discussed the College’s growth in global activity for students; Carolina’s increase in hiring of faculty with international expertise; and the College’s longstanding partnership with King’s College London, a key University-wide strategic partner.
Grauer welcomed guests and offered praise for the academic programs offered through Winston House, as well as Carolina’s overall global achievements and aspirations. Grauer is a longstanding supporter of Winston House and has been a contributing member to boards affiliated with the house and Honors Carolina.
Guests at the reception included Global Leadership Council members who traveled to London from around the world, as well as U.K.- and Europe-based alumni who frequently attend Discovery Series lectures and other special events at Winston House.
