Ned Brooks Award for Public Service

Current and Past Recipients

2007 2006 2005 2004 2003

2007 Winner

Sharon Mujica joined the Institute of Latin American Studies in 1985. Since her arrival she has actively collaborated with Institute Directors and staff in developing a series of programs which have made the Institute what it is today, particularly in the area of outreach to the community and the public schools. Among her many accomplishments in more than 20 years: organizing the annual Latin American Film Festival; teaching NC K-12 and post-secondary educators about Latin American and Caribbean culture, history and language; working with local museums and community organizations to bring Latin American art to Triangle communities; organizing performances at La Fiesta del Pueblo and working with local organizations to raise money for impoverished Latin American countries.
In 1990, the Institute paired up with Duke’s Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies to establish the UNC-Duke Latin American Studies Consortium. In 1991 the Consortium became a member of a small club of National Resource Centers funded by the Department of Education’s Title VI Program. Sharon has been a pivotal figure in the Consortium, being its Outreach Director from 1991 to the present.

2006 Winner

Florence Soltys is a Clinical Associate Professor in the School of Social Work. As part of her work with UNC, she provides weekly clinical services to the frail elders in the Geriatric Evaluation Clinic and coordinates the programmatic activities of the Hubbard Program, and interdisciplinary training program which provides home based care to community dwelling elders in the Triangle Region. Florence has also promoted services for elders through her leadership in the Geriatric Coalition in Orange County. The Coalition has been instrumental in assuring, through legislative change, that proper guardianship policies are in effect and elder abuse laws are tightened. Currently, Florence is serving North Carolina's older citizens as she shares her wise council on the NC Commission on Aging.
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2005 Winner

Dr. Gordon Whitaker - Nominated by numerous colleagues for his work over the last three decades here at Carolina. They point to his many contributions, including a model of action teaching in his course on Public Leadership and Management that involves having teams of MPA students work with governmental agencies or non-profits on public service projects. Many students report that these courses help them learn how to learn. They also learn how to serve, from both a career and personal perspective. In this way, Gordon has recruited class after class of students interested in continuing to serve in public service careers and activities.

Gordon's nominators also point to the array of projects he has spearheaded or influenced, including Carolina's Civic Education Consortium, the Counties as Catalyst for Stronger Families, and the fact that he literally wrote the book on North Carolina government for middle school students. But most notably, his colleagues spoke of the WAY he approaches his work. As one stated, Gordon is known for his infinite patience with human shortcomings, his reliability for showing up and participating fully in meetings, his determination to help communities improve themselves through collaborative effort, and his optimism that positive change is within our reach. He is described as a living example of belief in the power of public service and community action, especially in terms of his work to have the University become more engaged with the North Carolina community.
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2004 Winner

Dr. Michael Stegman - He is a MacRae professor of public policy and business and chairman of the department of public policy in the College of Arts and Sciences. Stegman created, and now directs, the Center for Community Capitalism, based in the Kenan-Flagler Business School's Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise. This center engages in multi-disciplinary research and outreach focused on applying private-sector knowledge to revitalizing distressed communities.
Stegman, who joined the UNC faculty in 1966, also leads a major initiative to improve UNC's outreach to low-income employees and to provide free tax services on federal tax benefits.
Throughout his career, Mike Stegman has risen to the challenge of making his teaching and research relevant to solving the problems of real people, said Lynn Blanchard. In addition, he has served as mentor and champion for untold young faculty members and graduate students - he personifies what we mean by servant leadership.
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2003 Winner

Adam Goldstein - He is the first recipient of this prestigious award. He was nominated for his many contributions, including serving as faculty advisor for SHAC and Insight Out – a community service journal published by students in Health Affairs and Social Work. He has worked to expand the Eugene Mayer Community Service Honor Society to include the many community-based physicians in North Carolina who mentor medical students during their time at Carolina.
An ardent and outspoken supporter of anti-smoking efforts, he established SAVE (Survivors and Victims of Tobacco Empowerment), a program that serves as a national model. These are just several of the reasons cited in his nomination of why he exemplified what is called for to receive this award.
Warren Newton, Chair of Family Medicine shared why he feels Adam is so deserving of this honor, Adam Goldstein's passion for service is best illustrated in the way he helps others realize their dreams to service. While his individual commitment to service is itself impressive, it is his ability to serve as a catalyst for change that makes Adam richly deserving of this award.
Watch Adam Goldstein's acceptance of the 2003 Ned Brooks Award for Public Service (in .mpg format). Click here
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Brooks Award Info

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