This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Subaru Southpoint, is former UNC – Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt.
“Stepping down as the chancellor of this great university and wonderful community feels much like parting from a gathering of family, friends and neighbors,” Folt wrote in a farewell letter to the university on her final day.
“I love that aspect of our community and will carry the energy, friendliness and aspirations of our University with me always. Like the seniors looking beyond graduation, I too am excited about beginning a new chapter in my life and work.”
Thanks to @ChancellorFolt's leadership:
✔️#UNC rose from 13th to 5th for federal research funding
✔️@ArtsEverywhere made art a fundamental part of campus culture
✔️Campus reduced its environmental footprint through #UNCThreeZeros https://t.co/r2hlltvhww— UNC-Chapel Hill (@UNC) January 31, 2019
One of Folt’s final acts as chancellor was to authorize the removal of the remainder of Silent Sam’s monument from campus. The statue itself was torn down by protesters in August 2018, but the monument and base had remained at McCorkle Place.
In an interview with WCHL earlier this year, Folt said the fact that the monument was no longer intact allowed her to take this action.
“I’m not destroying them. I moved them to a secure location,” Folt said “But I do think that we have much better and fuller understanding of the public safety risk. And so I’m making this decision based under my authority as chancellor to really take responsibility for campus security.”
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