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Written by Yulia Koltun, Senior-Nutrition, OSA Assistant
November 2009 
Dr. Lauria meets with students.
Given his habitual presence in the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, it is hard to believe that Don Lauria retired from his full-time professorship at UNC in 2000. Nine years into his retirement, Dr. Lauria is still advising students and colleagues both within and outside the academic setting. Lauria has consistently advised a wide range of degree students in the School. At any given point in time, he mentors several doctoral students on technical aspects of their projects and assists an undergraduate student in identifying and planning a meaningful summer project. In addition to one-on-one mentoring with students, Lauria has served as an advisor to colleagues at the World Bank, leading an annual 2-day seminar on water pricing.
Until most recently, Lauria also served as the faculty advisor to the UNC Okun Chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB). Lauria worked closely with officers and project leaders on day-to-day administration activities and individually assisted students with project analysis and report writing on various international projects. Ryan Kingsbury, former President of EWB at UNC, praises Lauria for his contribution to the organization. “His hearty work ethic and insistence on professional conduct among the students have left a lasting mark on our chapter.”
Lauria admits that he was not always certain of his ability to mentor. “When I left the classroom years ago to focus more on one-to-one student advising, I was a little concerned, especially since my agenda expanded from highly technical matters to a broad array of subjects. I’m delighted to report my pleasant surprise… I love what I do!”
Part of what has made Dr. Lauria such a valuable asset to ESE students is his keen understanding of the purpose a mentor is meant to serve. “Because I advise a student organization,” says Lauria, “I have to be sensitive to the fact that EWB is theirs, not mine. In the strictest sense of the word, I am ‘adviser,’ dispensing knowledge, suggestions, and opinions that the students are free to accept or reject. My task is to bring out the best in the students and to facilitate excellence in their projects.”
Last Spring, an influx of nominations naming Don Lauria as the best candidate for the John E. Larsh Award for Mentorship arrived to UNC from all over the world. During the 2009 Commencement, Dr. Lauria received the recognition he so deserved in front of the School’s faculty, staff and students, as well as his family and friends. Lauria thanks his students, colleagues and the School for the honor. “I left the world of engineering practice more than forty years ago to become a teacher… an adviser… and it is gratifying that the students have attested to some modicum of success in reaching that goal.”
Get more information on Advising and Mentoring in the School of Public Health!
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