TO THE EDITOR:
While Julius Peppers has accumulated well-deserved awards for his performance on the football field in leading the team to a successful season, I encourage the UNC Athletics Department to resist the temptation to "retire" his jersey number until he graduates.
Since the paramount goal of attendance at the University is to develop an educated mind, I can think of no better way to affirm that goal with regard to athletics than to link acknowledgment of athletic success with academic accomplishment. For the University community, graduation represents the formal recognition that our students are ready to embark on their post-graduate lives and careers as educated participants in the world community. Keeping the jersey number of an athlete "available" until he or she graduates sends a clear statement of our commitment to that primary and worthy goal.
Lewis Margolis
Associate Professor
Maternal and Child Health
