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>> DEAN MARY LYNNE CALHOUN: Forty years ago, the College of Education, first known as the
College of Human Development and Learning, was launched at UNC Charlotte.
Now, in the great scheme of human history, 40 years is a mere blink.
But in the history of UNC Charlotte, and in the history of many of us personally, 40 years
is very significant, and we mark this special moment with Looking Forward: The Campaign
for the College of Education.
Let me tell you a little bit about the College of Education today.
In these past 40 years, the College has grown in its size and scope of its mission, now
enrolling over 3100 students who are preparing for careers in teaching, counseling, and educational
leadership.
We're one of the three largest education programs in North Carolina.
Close to 7000 graduates of our program are now teaching in North Carolina public schools.
And, the College is listed by U.S. News and World Reports as one of America's best graduate
schools in education.
And, as North Carolina's urban research university, we have a passion for supporting the positive
development of all the children and young people who are served by our graduates.
As alumni and friends of the College, you are part of this great tradition and great
mission.
In recognition of the College's 40th birthday, we're launching a three-year campaign to strengthen
our work.
We will honor great educators.
We will celebrate the accomplishments of our students, faculty and graduates.
And we will grow, in the size, scope and impact of our important work.
As part of this campaign, we will recognize the transforming power of great teachers.
A centerpiece of the campaign will be the establishment of the Cato Teaching Discovery
Mural, a beautiful work of art in an outdoor area next to the College of Education building.
This 400 foot architectural mural in carved brick will honor teachers and provide a unique
teaching tool for North Carolinians.
The sculpted brick mural will include powerful images of teachers in the act of teaching,
and will include images that can be discovered by viewers that relate to North Carolina facts
and history.
The mural will include plaques listing the names of great teachers identified by donors
who make a gift of $1,000 or more to the Looking Forward Campaign.
These funds will be reinvested in the College of Education to provide strategic support
for the work of the College.
The College will collect the stories from the donors about the transformational power
of the honored teachers and share those stories on the web and in a booklet.
Each day, future teachers will walk by the mural and be inspired by the stories and will
dream of having that kind of impact on their future students.
I am imagining the power of the names of 1000 great teachers on the Cato Teaching Discovery
Mural, knowing that the influence of those great teachers will extend to future generations.
Other gifts of any size and amount are very welcome to the Looking Forward Campaign, and
it is with respect and thankfulness for your friendship that I invite you to consider making
an investment in the College of Education through your gift.
This campaign is also about celebration. The College celebrates its 40th year with a series
of special events and 40th birthday parties to honor the accomplishments of its faculty,
students and alumni, and to honor other great teachers who are identified through the gifts
to the campaign.
These events will take place throughout 2010 and 2011, with invitations being extended
by alumni groups from Boston to Atlanta and throughout North Carolina.
Presentations by College leadership and local alumni will provide an update on the exciting
activities at the College, as well as progress of the campaign.
Please check this website for a listing of special events, and come to a party!
I invite you to strengthen this important, exciting work by making a gift, joining us
in the celebration of the College's 40 years, and by looking forward to a very bright future.
Thank you.
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