TO THE EDITOR:
Bubba Cunningham should follow in the footsteps of Emil Kang, who became the Executive Director for the Arts at Carolina six years ago. Mr. Kang made the rounds on campus to challenge us with his vision to incorporate the arts into the life of Carolina. With a bit of whimsy, he announced that his goal was for UNC to be as well-known for the cultural arts as it is for basketball.
In six short years, his goal is within reach. Each year, our campus has seen spectacular performances — expressions of a richly diverse artistic world. Attendees flock from across the state. Generous financial support for students provides seats for the unbelievable price of $10. Mr. Kang has insinuated the arts into so many aspects of campus life. Artists and scholars conduct enlightening discussions before performances. Performers attend classes to share their insights and skills. Students and faculty are invited to publish their reflections in the well-crafted program. Carolina Performing Arts has begun to commission arts projects for premier performances at UNC. What could be better examples of putting the mission of a great university into action?
Mr. Cunningham should share his goals. He should not seek to reassure us that Carolina can compete for national championships in football and maintain its integrity as a university. That’s an unacceptably low standard for a great university.
Rather, he should emulate Emil Kang to explain how the athletics enterprise at UNC will embolden the academic mission of research, teaching and service.
Lewis Margolis
Associate Professor
Department of Maternal and Child Health
