Have you ever wondered what a professor of music does all day? Do you know how a graduate student in biology spends her time? In this issue of The Fountain, we present "A Day at Carolina" and give you an inside-view of what life is like for graduate students and faculty at Chapel Hill. The answers may surprise you.

Most of us are aware of the typical activities of graduate students — attending class, teaching, and research — and the overall goals that they tirelessly pursue — theses, comprehensive examinations, dissertations, and degrees. But what happens on a daily basis at Carolina? After all, it is the daily work and achievements of students, faculty, and administrators that add up to the excellence that is Carolina.

In this issue, you will get a window into the daily workings of graduate education. You will meet students like Juliana Sampson (Biology) and Brian Thomas (Philosophy) whose daily routines include not only studying, but also teaching, research, off-campus employment, and community service. You will also become acquainted with devoted faculty members like Professors Tom Warburton (Music) and Marila Cordeiro-Stone (Pathology) who engage in research, serve on committees, provide administrative leadership, and teach a full load of courses, in addition to raising families.

Although each of these four individuals contributes greatly to the success of this institution, their experiences are far from novel. Their profiles suggest the daily experience of countless others at UNC–Chapel Hill. Life at Chapel Hill on a typical fall day is fast-paced and fulfilling. Graduate students, faculty, and administrators are working hard — and it shows.

Other stories in this issue provide a historical context for these daily experiences. A brief history of graduate education at UNC–Chapel Hill shows how graduate study has both changed and stayed the same over the past 150 years. Donor and alumna Dr. Nancy Cole, who will be honored with a Distinguished Alumna Award on October 12, shares her memories of daily life as a graduate student during the 1960s and how her experiences in the Department of Psychology contributed to her successful career.

You will also listen in on the dynamic dialogue that occurred at the recent Royster Forum on Corporate Connections. This is but one example of graduate colloquiums that help shape the daily intellectual climate at Carolina. Finally, you will meet current Royster Fellow Kathryn Newfont, and learn how her daily work in the History department has taken her to the mountains of western North Carolina.

The tremendous variety in the daily activities of students and faculty makes for a vibrant campus community, rich with cutting-edge research and discovery, innovative and exciting instruction, and vital service to society. We hope that these brief snapshots — though only a sampling — will allow you to experience a little more of what occurs on a daily basis at Carolina.

-Linda Dykstra

© 2002, The Graduate School, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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