CAROLINA WOMEN
IN FOCUS
Paula Dav is Noell
Chapel Hill, N.C.
Of course Paula Davis Noell ’ 75 is a proud Carolina alumna, but these days
she’s enjoying being a proud Carolina mom. Her three children all came
to Carolina: son Davis graduated in 2001, daughter Nell graduated in
2004, and daughter Eleanor will graduate this spring.
These multiple connections shape Noell’s support of and involvement with
Carolina. “I make contributions to entities that are relevant to either me
or my children,” she said. For example, Nell majored in paleobiology;
Paula contributed to the Fund for Paleobiology. Davis and Eleanor both
participated in the Honors Program; Paula serves on the Honors Advisory Board. She contributed to the purchase of Winston House, the
European Study Center in London, which serves the Honors Program
but is open to students, faculty, alumni and programs from across
the UNC campus. “Carolina’s Honors Program provides opportunities for academic enrichment to the entire student body, and that’s
why I’m such an advocate,” Noell said.
Noell is also proud of the Carolina Women’s Leadership Council and its accomplishments, including the establishment of the
Faculty Mentoring Awards, which Council members endowed
by raising more than $200,000. “I’ve gotten to know some really
spectacular women,” Noell said.
Now Noell has joined the national advisory board for the Ackland
Art Museum, supporting its 50th anniversary celebration this year.
And the Wilmington native, who has lived in several cities across
the U.S., has moved back to Chapel Hill.
“North Carolina is home, and Chapel Hill has a special place in my
heart because of my wonderful experience there,” she said. “Of all of
the various endeavors of my life —next to raising my children—the
most rewarding has been re-connecting to the University.”
Women give to Carolina in many ways —not just
financially but also by volunteering their energy,
time and ideas. They serve on every University
board, including the Board of Trustees, the
Board of Visitors and the Carolina First Campaign
Steering Committee, and they champion Carolina
in their regions. They mentor students and
provide summer internships.
Another way women serve Carolina is through
the Carolina Women’s Leadership Council — a
network of women from all over the country committed to supporting the University and students’
educational experiences. In addition to members’
individual gifts, the council is collectively funding
a faculty mentoring award program, which recognizes outstanding faculty who go the extra mile
to mentor students and other faculty.
Women are leaving their footprints all over
the University — touching the lives of students,
faculty and staff members. As Carolina works to
become the nation’s leading public university,
women’s support is especially critical.
Where will you leave your footprint?
For more information, contact Lanier Brown May
at 919-843-5883 or lanier_may@unc.edu.
