Edwards aims to bridge divide

Propelled by his undeniable charisma, one of UNC’s newest and most famous professors navigated through a sea of energetic students and faculty Friday afternoon, stopping to shake hands and exchange smiles.

More than 100 students convened at the UNC School of Law to meet former N.C. senator and vice presidential candidate John Edwards.

Edwards — who recently accepted a part-time, two-year faculty position at UNC to lead the newly established Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity — said he hopes students’ excitement will drive them to action.

“Students have been very responsive, and it’s encouraging,” said Edwards, who graduated from the law school in 1977. “But I want them to get involved.”

During his address, Edwards shared stories of people he has met in his travels — individuals who have overcome poverty in America.

But, Edwards said, there are still many who haven’t experienced similar successes, leaving much work to be done.

“The truth is, you have the ability to change this country,” he told the students in attendance. “We have important work left to do.”

Provost Robert Shelton, who introduced Edwards at the event, highlighted the need for community involvement.

“(Edwards) doesn’t want this to be a center where a few faculty members sit around and talk,” Shelton said during the reception. “He wants the whole community to contribute.”

The many facets of poverty in America are as varied and numerous as the 36 million Americans who are poor, making it a difficult poblem to combat, officials said.

An advisory committee of senior UNC faculty members representing various departments will aim to pinpoint a focus for the center’s work.

“The kind of expertise that he will need … rests in law but also in other departments within the University,” Shelton said.

During his six years in the Senate, Edwards worked to increase both the minimum wage and the awareness of poverty in America — experience that makes him a great fit for the center, said Gene Nichol, dean of the law school. He is the type of person who will “grab us by our shoulders and turn our heads to show us these (issues),” Nichol said.

Although much analysis of the move has centered on Edwards’ potential return to politics and rumors of a presidential bid for 2008, he stressed his desire to break partisan bounds at UNC during the next two years.

“There is nothing partisan about poverty,” Edwards said. “Republicans, Democrats, Independents, they all care about doing what’s right for the people.”

His first goal is to raise awareness of the problems that poverty-stricken Americans face each day — something he said has been ignored in recent years.

Edwards said that each person possesses an innate desire to help others and that he hopes to be the spark that ignites change.

“The most important thing, at least to me, is to inspire a new generation of Americans in this cause,” he said. “I think there’s a deep feeling to help those who are struggling.”

Edwards’ term at UNC began Feb. 14. He and his wife, Elizabeth, plan to return to Orange County, where they recently purchased land.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.