First State University book joins HSL Special Collections

The Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering of the Gillings School of Global Public Health generously gave a copy of The First State University: A Pictorial History of the University of North Carolina by William S. Powell, signed by the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering faculty in December 1972.

The book was originally a gift from the Department to Dr. Stan Weidenkopf, who retired that year. In a letter enclosed by Dr. Lauria, who was a faculty member at the time the book was signed, he presumes that after Dr. Weidenkopf died, his estate sold the book to a local bookstore. It was coincidentally passed to Dr. Lauria after it was purchased by a friend. Dr. Lauria gave it back to the Department.

FLASHBACK TO 1972:

• Myrl Ebert was the director of the HSL, and had been for 20 years
• The HSL had just moved into its new building in the courtyard of MacNider in 1970, bringing all medical, dental, nursing, and public health materials together in one facility
• The first Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) librarian was hired the year prior and MEDLINE searches had just started
• N. Ferebee Taylor was UNC’s chancellor, recently replacing J. Carlyle Sitterson
• Berryhill Hall, Brauer Hall, and Carrington Hall were new, having been completed in 1969 (Brauer and Carrington) and 1970 (Berryhill)
• The Brinkhous-Bullitt Building was likely under construction and was completed in 1973

Learn more about the history of the Health Sciences Library.