May 2013
UNC Charlotte Publication
Dubai: A Once in a Lifetime Experience By Austin Halbert
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y longstanding dream to visit Dubai became a reality last month when I was selected as a finalist to present at the Education without Borders Conference, sponsored by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Higher Colleges of Technology. The conference brought together students from over 100 countries for a series of events in collaboration with Nobel Prize winners and global leaders. The main event was a sequence of presentations delivered by 32 student researchers. As one of the 32 participants, my presentation centered on an assessment of online education and its potential to advance systems in the developing world. In preparation, I spent several months researching and developing ideas to make technology and education more accessible in remote regions. Following my presentation, I was selected as one of six grand prize winners among others from Egypt, Africa, UAE, and India.
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he title of my submission to the conference was “The Business of Open Education� and it consisted of a fifteen page paper and fifteen minute presentation. The basis of my work was that online education is further expanding digital and educational divides between developing and advanced countries, as those in developing countries have severely limited access to technology. I mapped out a solution to change educational formats by rapidly expediting the supply of technology to the developing world, hinging on a network of partnerships among the United Nations, governmental entities, nonprofits, and education providers. I was both humbled and inspired to be part of such an international effort to change the world in which we currently live. The energy throughout the event was undeniable as bright minds from every corner of the globe shared their ideas on how to turn current problems into future successes.
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hile the bulk of my time in Dubai was spent at events affiliated with Education without Borders, I was fortunate enough to find a few breaks to go on some of the touristy excursions. One of my favorite experiences was watching a breathtaking fountain show at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. I also went on a desert safari that consisted of speeding on sand dunes, watching whirling dervishes, and eating a traditional Middle Eastern meal. Finally, like a typical American, I also made sure to visit the largest mall in the world.
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n addition to the conference and sightseeing, I had the chance to participate in Festival of Thinkers, a forum bringing global leaders and Nobel recipients together to mentally tackle pressing issues. My favorite speech came from Tony Blair, who discussed the importance of equality in education and stressed our ability to change the global landscape of opportunity.
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hough Education without Borders was short-lived, it was a testament to how it only takes a few people with great ideas to make a dramatic impact on the world. I saw students and leaders come together to embrace ideas and acknowledge the importance of critically thinking our way through problems. While the culture and architecture in Dubai were fascinating, the unity and thought leadership that took place at the conference were far more impressive. It is times like these that I am grateful to the Levine Scholars Program for placing such an emphasis on leadership, action, and problem solving. Being prepared to make a difference makes our potential as limitless as our imaginations.
Surviving and Thriving in the Organic Chemistry Undergraduate Research Lab By Sarah Whitmire
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f you asked me a year ago how I thought college was going to be, I wouldn’t have imagined it to be anything like what I’ve experienced thus far. Although I always thought I knew what I wanted to do, it’s taken a while for me to realize that I enjoy science and want to pursue a career in healthcare. In high school, I worked ahead by throwing out the idea of an “easy senior year,” and piling up all the science and math AP classes that could fit in my schedule. This way, I earned credit for the introductory biology and chemistry classes at UNC Charlotte and started out with an intense schedule, including the dreaded Organic Chemistry. As a result, my first semester was filled with lots of emotional stress and nonstop studying. I have never worked harder for an A in my life. My poor mother had to deal with a couple of freaked-out, tear-filled phone calls. They finally stopped when I learned how to manage the class. Nearing the end of my fall semester, my tutor, who claims to be more of a “cheerleader” than a tutor, recommended me to work with Dr. Etzkorn, a very highly respected professor in the Organic Chemistry department.
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r. Etzkorn and his team are working on (brace yourself) synthesizing complex halogenated isoindanones as a synthetic platform. The lab’s main focus is to study the effects of fluorine and other halogens in these molecular scaffolds. Fluorine, the “small atom with the big ego,” is a highly electronegative atom that can easily change a compound’s reactivity. Over the past few years, the lab has been able to optimize patented procedures and streamline the process to get the optimal percent yield. The target is to generate a compound called an isoindenone (different from the isoindanone), which is an unstable, cross-conjugated 10pi electron system. We want to generate these pure isoindenone intermediates as well as to see how the effects of halogens (especially fluorine) can affect the properties of a molecule.
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fter reading that, you can probably tell my first few days were pretty rough.
s of now, I’ve been in the lab for two months, working on Dr. Etzkorn’s team as one of his three students doing research. It’s been a privilege for me to be a part of this lab team because I have the opportunity to work with some incredible people, and it’s rare for a freshman to have the option to participate in organic chemistry research, or any undergraduate research for that matter. I go into the lab at least 2-3 times a week, and work an average of 6-8 hours a week. As I get into the higher chemical reactions, those numbers will increase.
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he lab is divided into two parts: pipeline and frontline reactions. For my first semester, I work on the pipeline reactions. This means that I run reactions to synthesize compounds that the frontline can use to conduct further and higher research. Specifically, I am responsible for a multi-part reaction that is a type of esterification. I have the opportunity to work with hazardous chemicals, perform extractions, increase my knowledge of potential chemical dangers, clean glassware efficiently using a base bath, run NMR spectroscopies, and improve my lab technique. The best part is being able to participate in hands-on applications of what I am currently learning in my Organic Chemistry II class. While deciding whether or not to become part of the lab, I thought I was going to be doing “flunky” work (i.e. cleaning all the dirty beakers), but I could not have been more wrong. Dr. Etzkorn has high expectations for all of us.
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ext semester I’ll hopefully be part of the frontline doing conversions to make our desired product. I can’t wait to be able to work by myself and maybe synthesize new compounds that have never been published before!
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Cirque de Levines By Tanner Parks
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s I watched the woman on stage violently, yet somehow gracefully, struggle with and stretch the dark lavender, elastic sock in which she was engulfed, my mind began to mirror her image. My mind stretched and struggled until some sort of interpretation, most likely unique to the ones of the surrounding audience members, began to take shape. It was not at all what I expected, but I grew to admire it.
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n January 17th, my peers and I went into uptown Charlotte for yet another exciting night with the Levine Scholars Program. Having eaten a delicious and filling dinner at Vapiano, we made our way to the Knight Theatre to enjoy quite the event. It had been thirty years since the Martha Graham Dance Company, presented by UNC Charlotte’s very own College of Arts + Architecture, had performed in Charlotte. The college’s dean, Ken Lambla, accompanied us to dinner, as well as to the show, and gave us valuable insight into the production. The program consisted of several performances, choreographed using a variety of direct and indirect influences like Martha Graham, former Graham dancer Kim Jones, and Aaron Copeland.
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found my eyes glued to the stage by the bodily contortions and the strength clearly demonstrated in the dancers’ movements. In my opinion, most of the program was truly impressive. However, there was a certain portion of the program that required more interpretation from the audience. I truly enjoy the extended period of time that many of us spend after these events sharing opinions and interpretations. This was such an occasion as it challenged almost all of us to perceive this art form in a new light.
Dinner at Vapiano before the Martha Graham performance
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month later on February 24th, we all enjoyed lunch at Chili’s and afterwards went to Robinson Hall on campus to enjoy an entirely different type of performance. Dean Lambla again accompanied us and provided wonderful context of the show. Not many words were spoken as the two clowns used mostly props to perform the physical theatre production, Cirque de Legume. There were moments throughout the performance in which I was falling out of my chair laughing. There were other moments in which I couldn’t have squeezed myself any more into the darkest corners of my seat due to awkward discomfort—still laughing. Fellow Levine Scholar and close friend Christie Koehler was lucky enough to leave her seat and step into the spotlight. Soon afterwards, the “trainer” assigned her the task of throwing diced carrots into the mouth of the human seal who was, at the time, standing on a chair and wearing a beyond-tight blue and yellow outfit. With “UP! UP! UP!” and excellent aim, Christie was allowed to return to her seat next to her peers, all crying from laughter. We had added yet another item to our list of stories to tell, laugh about, and retell later.
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view these events as opportunities to receive an education, to learn about myself, and to make memories. I sometimes enter the theatre or venue, thinking, “This will be interesting.” Leaving, I am always pleasantly surprised. Dean Lambla with Sanjana Prabhu and Tanner Parks at the Martha Graham Dance Company performance Page 3
My Time in Panama: Beautiful Disorder By Jake Emerson
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or the past few months, I have been studying abroad in Panama City, Panama. I have never before functioned in a community with such little structure and lack of urgency. Deadlines and policies are no more than suggestions, and time is just a silly way to describe where the sun is currently located above the horizon. Lack of efficiency results in frequent and unnecessary lines of people in nearly all venues, and public transportation is far from pleasant. And yet, it is beautiful – and exactly what I need to broaden my perspective on life.
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entered Panama with a very straightforward and taskoriented disposition, which spawned a considerable amount of daily frustrations. I simply didn’t understand why these people continued to live in this way, when solutions were obvious and within reach. Why not move in the direction of greater efficiency? However, I quickly realized that these lines of people were filled with smiling faces, humorous conversations with strangers, and a carefree aura of happiness. I realized that I was living in a land of blissful disorder – so I joined the movement and have enjoyed every moment of the experience since.
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have never felt so free to do as I desire and explore the world in any way that I wish. Climbing this volcano will take too long and we will miss the bus home? Oh well. There is no guarantee that there is a place to stay on that island? No problem. I have truly learned that enjoying the present journey and being prepared to improvise is key to leading a happy life. Don’t get me wrong; I am prepared to adjust back to the hustle and bustle of the United States, but I feel that I will bring back an added element of my personality that will allow for greater success in many ways. For this, I am extremely grateful that I was given this special opportunity.
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here is so much to see here in Panama. I assure you that this country is much more than just a jungle with a canal carved across the middle. Panama City has experienced substantial and rapid urbanization over the last decade, and one can find excitement any night of the week downtown. However, my weekend travels have brought me to corners of Panama that make this experience unforgettable. I’ve hit a few of the most renowned surf breaks in the world, attended the wild and famous Carnavales festival, trekked for two days up a volcano, and have even spent a weekend living with the indigenous tribe of an island in the San Blas archipelago. Still, I have found the culture to be just as rich as the sites are spectacular. Panamanians are extremely proud of their history, customs, and country itself; and they are eager to show visitors such as myself the wonders of their home. I definitely picked the best place to study abroad!
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y time in Panama has connected me with many great and interesting people, and I have explored an area in the tropics with endless beauty. Studying abroad is an experience that I would recommend to anyone, and is yet another wonderful facet of my college education made possible by the Levine Scholars Program.
A Day in the Life of a College Student By Sanjana Prabhu
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his spring, the Levine Scholars were proud to host the 7th and 8th grade students of the Leadership Class at James Martin Middle School on the UNC Charlotte campus. It was a cold, rainy, and presumably miserable Friday, but after touring around campus and chatting with the energetic students, the day wasn’t so dreary after all.
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ur day together began with an indoor Venture activity that was designed to enhance leadership skills and teamwork, followed by a tour of the architecture building, Storrs, from our very own Evan Danchenka. As the students entered Storrs, they walked by the huge freshman studio with numerous desks spread across the wide and spacious room, and observed architecture students hard at work. Evan’s tour addressed other features of the building, including the Solar Lab and Woodworking Lab, as well as details about the architecture major.
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fterwards, we took the middle school students to the smorgasbord that is Crown Commons, one of the campus dining halls, where they indulged in pizza, burgers, fries, and of course, ice cream. Topics such as their hobbies, career interests, and significant others made for some very interesting lunchtime conversations. The inquisitive students also asked numerous questions about all the activities we have chosen to pursue in college, whether it be our majors, our community service, or what we do for fun in our spare time.
James Martin Middle School Leadership Class with Levine Scholars
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ll pumped up with sugar, the kids were corralled onto a quiet CATS bus – that suddenly wasn’t so quiet anymore – and shuttled over to the engineering side of campus. Here, they toured Grigg Hall, one of the campus physics buildings, with Dr. Patrick Moyer. Dr. Moyer spoke to the students about applying physics to sports, showing online videos of headon football player collisions, and having the students dash down the hallways to demonstrate the radar speed gun. My favorite moment during the demonstration was when one middle school student correctly answered “the coefficient of restitution” to Dr. Moyer’s question. Say what? University-level physics from a 13-year-old! Seriously, Google that phrase and let me know if you figure out what it means.
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ollowing their time with Dr. Moyer, the students toured the Kulwicki Motorsports Lab and observed racecar models. I imagine this was the highlight of the day for most of the boys on the tour. After their tour of the Motorsports Lab and walking around the newly finished football field, the middle school students headed back to James Martin Middle School, ending their fun-filled glimpse into life as a UNC Charlotte student.
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have been volunteering at James Martin for the past seven months, and am amazed at how much the students have grown, especially as leaders. Being a mentor at James Martin is such a fulfilling and rewarding experience, and has provided a great start to my time here at Charlotte. Architecture studio in Storrs Page 5
Levine Scholars preparing to greet visitors at the Finalist Program
Levine Finalist Program By Katie Waldroup
reeting finalists and their parents during the Sunday G night dinner of the Finalist Program triggered a rush of emotions among the Levine Scholars. We vividly
remembered the nervousness, excitement, and curiosity brought about by this weekend, and we recognized similar feelings in the group of finalists this year. They all wanted to make good impressions, and at the same time, learn as much about the program and UNC Charlotte as possible. onderful conversations with prominent community W members and representatives from the university were definite highlights of the Finalist Program. Finalists ate dinner with current Levine Scholars and faculty members from their respective areas of interest. During dinner, finalists had a chance to find out more about
their majors at UNC Charlotte and Levine students were able to share some of the awesome experiences we have had so far through the program. I think the finalists and faculty members alike enjoyed hearing how so many of our dreams are already becoming reality, and about our abundance of future plans in the program. The faculty members also provided quite a few words of wisdom from their own experiences, which were greatly appreciated. The dinner was a nice way to ease the students into the event before they hit the ground running the next day. Page 6
n Monday morning, amid the bowties, high heels, O and wonderful smells of breakfast, I began to truly realize that a group of these students would be living,
studying, and working with us on campus next year, and would be hiking through the wilderness of Wyoming as a group this summer. Throughout the day, finalists and their parents asked me questions about every aspect of the program: the National Outdoor Leadership School expedition, studying abroad, honors housing, and campus life. These questions were much less stressful than the ones asked of me during last year’s interviews when I was a finalist, and they provided me with an opportunity to receive feedback from the finalists. It was good to hear from them that interviews went well, and that they were having a great experience on campus. y far, the coolest part of being a freshman, and on B the other side of the Finalist Program, was getting to meet all of these wonderful people at such a crucial time.
Each finalist had hopes, dreams, interests, and passions uninhibited by the grind of college courses. Regardless of whether they had not yet chosen a major or if they already had their lives planned out, it was evident that these students possessed a unique strength and integrity that will change the world one day. As a current Levine Scholar, the worry about being selected as a recipient is gone, but meeting these students reminded us of our own dreams. As a freshman, I can now say that the Levine Finalist Program is a fantastic experience from both perspectives, and I cannot wait to welcome this year’s group of incoming students to UNC Charlotte!
Levine Faculty Fellow By Jasmine Patterson
CFAC Committee, UNC Charlotte Graduate Committee member, and numerous international conference program committees.
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lthough many of us can hardly believe that our college careers are passing so quickly, we are facing reality as we register for our last year or two of classes, and begin to focus on the future and the limitless possibilities of life after undergraduate school. To assist us with our transitions into the “real world,” we are excited to announce the newest member of the Levine Scholars Program, Dr. Ron Sass, as a Faculty Fellow for this spring and the next academic year. Dr. Ron Sass
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r. Sass grew up in Ohio, and graduated from Michigan State University with a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering. Following his graduation, he served as an assistant professor at Clemson University, where he received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching in 2004, and then later worked as an assistant research professor at the University of Kansas.
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n 2006, Dr. Sass came to UNC Charlotte with an immediate focus on the graduate program in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He has made his mark within the department by establishing a successful lab, and by assisting graduate students in exciting research opportunities. In addition to his work within the graduate program, Dr. Sass has participated in multiple research projects and contributed to numerous scientific publications. Dr. Sass has also held various leadership positions, including UNC Charlotte Department Representative on the
Dinner with the Levine Family By Heidi Cope
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ith only a few weeks left of our first year, many of us in the freshman class were excited about the highly anticipated event at the end of the semester: dinner with the Levines. When we arrived at their home, not only were we greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Levine, but also by other members of their family and The Leon Levine Foundation.
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he evening got off to a great start with everyone gathered in the living room to hear Mr. Levine share his story about how a bargain store in a basement can turn into an extremely successful company, such as Family Dollar. I was amazed at how much my own life has changed from an idea that Mr. Levine had, as I am now one of many beneficiaries of their generosity in Charlotte. The freshman class was also able to learn more about the structure of The Leon Levine Foundation—the Board of Directors, what their vision for the program is, and how they help shape our college education—by conversing with Foundation members during dinner.
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hroughout the night, members of The Leon Levine Foundation and two of Mr. and Mrs. Levine’s daughters sat with us at small tables around the indoor pool. It was heartwarmingly obvious through our conversations that all of the people in attendance at dinner were just as invested in the Levine Scholars Program as Mr. and Mrs. Levine. Because the Levine Scholars Program is still fairly new at UNC Charlotte, many were interested in the unique aspects of the program, such as the nonprofit internship that we will be
r. Sass’s passion for helping students led him to pursue the Program’s new position of Levine Faculty Fellow. The primary purpose of a Levine Faculty Fellow is to further develop the leadership opportunities of LSP students, enhance the ties between the Levine Scholars Program and other members of the University Honors programs, and establish structures to assist LSP students in applying for post-graduate awards, admission into graduate programs, and professional employment. The position entails many responsibilities, such as assisting Levine Scholars in their third and fourth years of college through developing leadership opportunities and preparing them for post-graduation plans. Some of Dr. Sass’s other roles include exploring study abroad opportunities for the Levine Scholars, and establishing ways to incorporate Crown Scholar recipients into events sponsored by the Levine Scholars Program. Additionally, Dr. Sass hopes to connect students to valuable undergraduate research experiences. As the first person to hold this position, Dr. Sass will play a large role in defining exactly what it means to be a “Levine Faculty Fellow.”
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t UNC Charlotte, Levine Scholars quickly transform into capable and motivated leaders starting in the freshman year. Dr. Sass will be vital in ensuring the continuation of these leadership skills and further the Levine Scholars Program’s contribution to the community. His vast experience in working with college students will undoubtedly serve him well in supporting the Levine Scholars in their numerous endeavors. LSP faculty, staff, and scholars are delighted to welcome Dr. Ron Sass as our first Levine Faculty Fellow.
participating in this summer. The diversity within our program was exemplified as we shared the various sites that have agreed to support us as interns in May, June and July.
Mr. and Mrs. Levine with the Class of 2016
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fter a few hours of sharing stories about our expedition with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) last summer, the organizations we are involved in on campus and in the community, and what we enjoy doing in our spare time, we began to say our goodbyes. It shocked me when one of the Foundation members commented that we are almost sophomores. Has it really been seven months since I started college at UNC Charlotte? Dinner with the Levines made me further appreciate being a part of the Levine Scholars Program and how much it has influenced my first year at UNC Charlotte. I definitely would not have had the opportunities that I have been given, such as the NOLS Alaska trip and my summer internship, without the scholarship. The night ended with many hugs and I cannot wait until we see Mr. and Mrs. Levine again. Page 7
Serving in Puerto Rico with Niner United By Samantha Creasy
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ith only two weeks until spring break, I still had no big plans. I checked my email that night and found an opportunity to participate in a mission trip to Puerto Rico. I knew no one going on the trip, but that didn’t stop me. Two short weeks later, after braving midterm exams, I was on a plane heading to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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he amazing experience to follow was thanks to Niner United, one of UNC Charlotte’s campus ministries. Niner United is a multidenominational group, full of warm-hearted people. The ministry is supported by local Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopal and Presbyterian churches and also operates at Central Piedmont Community College and Johnson & Wales. It was such a pleasure to get to know some of the members on this trip and spend time with them in fellowship.
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e spent four days in the capital city of San Juan. This was my first visit and helped me understand Puerto Rico’s relationship with the United States. The city was bustling and the streets full of traffic. Old San Juan, the historic colonial section, is gorgeous and full of history. The fort and worn stone streets, which make up an UNESCO World Heritage Site, were a pleasure to visit. Cold fruit smoothies, fried plantains and treats from the local bakery were a few of my favorite tastes of the trip.
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s a Spanish major, I was happy to have some practice communicating with the locals. We spent time working with La Fundita de Jesus, a local homeless shelter. They offer meals, lodging, job training and drug recovery programs. As someone who enjoys serving, I was very interested in all the services offered to clients. We mostly worked preparing and serving meals. It was surreal seeing the people of San Juan struggling, all with their own stories that led them into homelessness.
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lmost every day, we were welcomed by a local church for a service. We visited churches of different denominations and saw varying congregations in each one. Some services were performed in only Spanish while others were in English. An interesting local ministry, supported
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by a church we visited, was the Seafarers Ministry. This ministry aids those who work on ships offering them spiritual guidance as well as shore side advocates for their wellbeing when they enter the San Juan Port. Similar organizations and ministries exist in ports around the world.
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he last two days we spent on the south side of the island in Ponce. There, a Christian camp hosted our group and provided the platform for us to work through. We were able to connect with the local youth having fun in the sun and in a more traditional and focused Bible study.
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ur time in Ponce allowed us an escape from the city and a chance to drive through scenic areas. Into the rainforest and back to the beach, I was happily surrounded by sunshine and warm weather, a contrast to the cold I would soon be returning to after spring break. In the interior of the island, we took a short trip to a cave with an expansive view over the valley below. We were met with blind darkness and the smell of bat droppings. The view was the reward to my sensitive nose.
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fter the short week had passed, I knew that Puerto Rico would be one of the places I would like to visit again in the future. The residents were very welcoming and nothing quite beats that Caribbean sunshine in the midst of winter. The beautiful island along with our service and worship created a rejuvenating experience over a few days away from the busy life of a Levine Scholar.
Where There’s a Will (and an incredible support system), There’s a Way: Hosting International Surgeon, Dr. Glenn Geelhoed By Anna Bawtinhimer
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or the longest time, I used to think success was only possible when preparation met opportunity. Over the past ten months, however, I have come to redefine “success” as the intersection of vision, imagination, and willpower. By chance when interning with the Cinterandes Foundation mobile surgery unit last summer in Ecuador, I was introduced to one of the team’s volunteer surgeons, Dr. Glenn Geelhoed. When riding on mobile expeditions through the Andes Mountains, I would often ask him stories about his life as an international traveler and healer. It was then that he told me about his most recent book, Gifts from the Poor, which chronicles his journey into international medicine and the lessons he has learned from the communities with whom he has served. When on a medical mission, Dr. Geelhoed not only provides free medical services, but also teaches local healthcare workers sustainable skills which they continue long after all of Dr. Geelhoed’s team members have left. Dr. Geelhoed’s international service has led him to found “Missions to Heal,” a non-profit organization.
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uring the final rocky ride back from a mobile surgery mission, on a whim I asked Dr. Geelhoed if he would ever be interested in coming to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte for a lecture and book signing event. To my surprise, he just said, “sure” and “when?”. Little did I know then, that such a seemingly small bus-ride invitation would develop into a ten month long journey of countless planning meetings, event proposals, room and catering coordination, recruitment drives, and limitless last minute details. Finally, it all came together when Dr. Geelhoed held a public presentation and
Dr. Glenn Geelhoed, Anna Bawtinhimer and Dr. Gary Silverman book signing event on campus as Public Health Week 2013’s keynote speaker.
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n April 1, 2013, Dr. Geelhoed addressed a student, faculty, and community member audience about his experiences as an international healthcare provider and the importance of preventative health measures and sustainable health reform. Audience members from all disciplines were universally encouraged to become students of those they serve, understand the long-term effects of their actions, and to continuously seek sustainability in all aspects of their professional careers. With the support of and encouragement from many organizations on campus including Dr. Gary Silverman, chair of the Department of Public Health, the Levine Scholars Program, UNCCharlotte’s Internationalization Committee, and the College of Health and Human Services, a whimsical invitation ten months ago became a successful reality.
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Can You Dig It? By Cassady Schulte
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s our junior year comes to a close, the Class of 2014 is hard at work on the Program’s first legacy project! When conversations began earlier this year regarding how we wanted to carry on the Levine legacy as we prepare to graduate, the class expressed a desire to do something that would benefit not only our fellow Forty-Niners, but also the Charlotte community. After a great deal of brainstorming, we decided to take on the exciting opportunity of bringing Dance Marathon to UNC Charlotte.
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ance Marathon is a fundraising event that takes place at over 150 schools across the nation to directly benefit the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in participating schools’ respective communities. The UNC Charlotte Dance Marathon will be an ongoing fundraising effort for the Levine Children’s Hospital. Our Dance Marathon will culminate in a 12-hour event where students will stand – or rather, dance – on their feet for the entire time to celebrate their success. This culmination event will include theme hours, a choreographed line dance that will be taught to all of the participants over the course of the night, and, of course, the big reveal of our total amount raised.
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lanning and promotion are well underway for Dance Marathon or, as we’re calling it here at UNC Charlotte, the 49er Dance Mine. We have been
Student flash mob to raise awareness about the upcoming 49er Dance Mine
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Levine Scholars touring Levine Children’s Hospital
working closely with Emily Bootcheck of the Carolinas Healthcare Foundation, who has helped us in countless ways with preparations and planning. In addition to Emily’s assistance, the junior class has received support from both the Levine freshmen and sophomore classes. These cohorts have participated in a design contest in an effort to come up with a logo for the event, and have joined our class in a tour of the Levine Children’s Hospital. During this tour, we were able to gather ideas of how the funds we raise will be used to benefit local children who are patients at the hospital.
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ne of the main ways that Scholars and other students have already shown their support of this project is through participation in our kickoff event – the 49er Dance Mine Flash Mob. Our very own Sanjana Prabhu, with the help of Emily and some of our other scholars, choreographed a dance routine to a mix of several popular and lively songs as a way to catch the attention of other students. We hosted several performances of the dance in various locations around campus, including the Student Union and the Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium during a UNC Charlotte baseball game. Each dancer received a free t-shirt featuring the winning logo of our design contest. By the end of the last performance, the flash mob had accomplished its goal of raising awareness and enthusiasm for the 49er Dance Mine among the UNC Charlotte student population!
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ow can you help? Visit www.helpmakemiracles.org/ event/49erdancemine and create an account to start fundraising today. We hope you will stay tuned for updates and mark your calendars for November 15th -16th because this is an event you won’t want to miss!
Elves, Trolls and Northern Lights, Oh My! By Kevin Rodengen
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hen I told people I would be studying abroad in Iceland, the typical response was “Why?” Not many gave me the standard nod of approval by saying, “Oh, that’s great,” or “Yeah, that makes sense.” They needed an explanation for such an interesting choice, and I was always ready with one.
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celand is the land of fire and ice. Glaciers cover 11% of the country, while ancient and active volcanoes make up most of the rugged terrain. The land of the Vikings sits between two active tectonic plates, which grow the island every year by inches, expanding these unique landscapes found nowhere else on earth. Glacial floods and volcanic magma have carved Iceland into a paradise for Earth Science majors, which I just happen to be. I have definitely found my paradise. On a more humorous note, I am a Florida boy who hasn’t experienced a real winter other than the occasional skiing trip with the family. So, of course, the reasonable thing to do would be to spend my winter/spring semester in Iceland. My toes are still numb from my daytime adventures as I write this from my cozy dorm in Reykjavik.
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am taking courses called Glacial Geology and Volcanology, which include field trips to observe these incredible geological features. I also take field trips of my own – almost every weekend available – going on adventures with my new international friends to see these amazing landscapes. So far, I have explored waterfalls, caves, glacial lagoons, snow packed mountains, fjords and geysers. If the environment was not interesting enough, the city where I’m staying, Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is beautiful as well.
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celand has a population of about 320,000 (yes, you read that correctly), half of which live in Reykjavik. My favorite part about the city is the integrity. Most people are very trusting and run on an honors system, not even counting change at cash registers or checking bus passes. You might even see the occasional bike
that’s not locked up. It is inspiring, and the best part is, it works.
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his is a truly magical land. Iceland has a history of believing in mythological creatures such as elves and trolls. I thought this was funny when I heard it the first time, but, through some of the magical experiences I have had here so far, I now understand. I had one of these magical experiences after a day of hiking around a gorgeous peninsula, hanging over beautiful sea cliffs, driving past waterfalls and glaciers. Afterwards, my international friends and I made it back to our cabin on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The cozy cabin had a hot tub outside, the standard for any Icelandic citizen (access to hot water thanks to all the geothermal activity). We were exhausted and cold, but got in the hot tub and looked out on the cloudy sky. Soon it became a starry night as the clouds dissipated. Out of nowhere, the sky was turning green, and then began to dance. The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, were putting on a show that lit up the entire sky. It was like nothing I could have ever imagined. If I was not scientifically knowledgeable I would swear that we were about to be beamed to space by aliens. Volcanoes shaking the earth, glaciers breaking off pieces of ice the size of cities, and dancing green lights in the sky – I would vote for elves and trolls as the only reasonable explanation if I did not know any better.
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his trip has been one of the greatest experiences of my life rising just above my incredible 25 days in Alaska with NOLS and my fellow Levine Scholars. I have also recently found out that I will be going to Jerusalem this summer with a group of Levine Scholars, other UNC Charlotte students, and faculty for an archeological dig on Mount Zion. Summarizing travel alone, this scholarship program has helped send me to Alaska, Iceland and now Jerusalem, and I am only finishing my sophomore year. What an incredible journey!
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9201 University City Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28223
The Levine Scholars Program
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he Levine Scholars Program is a four-year scholarship that includes full tuition, room and board, a new laptop computer and four summer experiences, including an international experience, which will develop leadership skills and social awareness. In 2010, the inaugural class of Levine Scholars enrolled at UNC Charlotte and an additional 15 scholarships are awarded to high school seniors every year. The Levine Scholarship is valued at $90,000 for in-state students and $140,000 for out-of-state students over four years.
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evine Scholars are talented high school seniors from around the United States whose accomplishments epitomize the values of philanthropists Sandra and Leon Levine, including a demonstrated commitment to community service, intellectual curiosity and the capacity for ethical
leadership. Through community engagement, mentoring relationships with civic and business leaders in Charlotte, and a rigorous academic program, Levine Scholars develop the characteristics necessary to produce positive change in the communities in which they live and work. Scholars are able to turn their community service interest into actions with community service grants of $8,000 to support their work in the community.
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t is this unique connection to Charlotte - its resources, leaders and challenges – that differentiates this program from other scholarships of its kind. The program is specifically designed to expose Levine Scholars to the urban culture of a thriving city and to engage them in service to address needs of the citizens of Charlotte.