World of Difference banner

Thank you to those who joined us on May 19 for a very special World of Difference – an annual event celebrating our School’s most committed donors and friends. Whether or not you were able to attend, we would like to share some highlights. Below are a photo gallery from the evening and a video in which members of the Gillings community share heartfelt messages about Barbara K. Rimer and her accomplishments over 17 years as the longest-serving dean of the Gillings School.

2022 World of Difference: Thank You, Dean Rimer (May 19, 2022)

Leaders at UNC-Chapel Hill reminisce and give thanks to Dean Rimer at the 2022 World of Difference celebration.

More than 100 guests joined members of our school’s faculty, staff and leadership team under the lights at the Carolina Inn to celebrate our shared accomplishments during the 24 months since our last in-person gathering.

Shu Wen Ng, PhD, associate professor and Distinguished Scholar in Public Health Nutrition at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, described the impact of beginning her doctoral work at Gillings 18 years ago and continuing as a philanthropically supported Distinguished Scholar. Talia Kieu, MPH ’22, PhD ’26, shared how without a scholarship – the Irving and Joan Rimer Scholarship – she would have been unable to continue her studies following the untimely death of a family member. Barbara K. Rimer, DrPH, MPH, dean and Alumni Distinguished Professor, spoke about some of the highlights from her 17 years as dean of the Gillings School and announced a $65M NIH grant to establish an Antiviral Drug Discovery Center to develop oral antivirals that can combat pandemic-level viruses like COVID-19.

Following the event, many attendees approached our staff asking how they could honor Dean Rimer’s time as leader of the Gillings School. For those interested in making a special gift in her honor, please consider contributing to one of these three funds. Though she is not retiring, Barbara’s presence in the dean’s office will be missed, and we are fortunate that her legacy will live on at Gillings.

Photo Gallery

RELATED PAGES
CONTACT INFORMATION
Our Team

SPH Advancement
135 Dauer Drive
107 Rosenau Hall, CB #7400
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7400
(919) 966-0198