Campus Y hosts Dr. Joel J. Schwartz Memorial

May 23, 2019 • Erin Reitz • 1 Comment

On Saturday, May 18, family, friends and former students gathered to honor the life and work of Dr. Joel J. Schwartz. After playing audio from an interview with Dr. Schwartz (listen here and here), sons David and Ray Schwartz invited members of the community to share favorite memories of their late father. Many spoke of the transformational support and generosity Schwartz offered as a friend, neighbor and professor.

During his tenure at UNC-Chapel Hill, Dr. Schwartz was the recipient of multiple teaching awards, including the University Professor of Distinguished Teaching, and five chancellor and student undergraduate awards. He also received the General Alumni Faculty Service Award. He served as inaugural Director of the university’s Center for Teaching and Learning; he was Director of the UNC Honors Program in London; and he served on the Campus Y’s Advisory Board. Schwartz was a mentor to hundreds of students, including US Senator Paul Wellstone, a champion for social justice and civil rights. Schwartz was most proud of his work with Campus Y leaders that led to the establishment of the Apples Service-Learning program. That program is now an essential part of the undergraduate curriculum.

We thank those who were able to join us on Saturday, and encourage those who could not attend to visit a new bench dedicated to Dr. Schwartz next time they are in Chapel Hill. This bench, facing the Campus Y, will serve as a permanent remembrance of Dr. Schwartz’s significant role at UNC.

To make a gift to Carolina in Dr. Schwartz’s honor, please visit campusy.unc.edu/schwartz-memory-funds. Contact Brandi Davis, Director of Leadership Annual Giving, at brandi@unc.edu or 919-962-3966 with questions.

One Response to “Campus Y hosts Dr. Joel J. Schwartz Memorial”

Taylor Branch
May 24, 2019
I’m happy to see photos of so many smiling people at Joel’s memorial, including my ’68 UNC classmate David Kiel.
Joel was a mentor to me in and out of the classroom, and so was Myrna in a way. Theirs was the only faculty home I remember visiting.
It’s good to see the younger people there. Some of us may be getting a bit told, but we’re still feisty like Myrna and Joel. I look forward to a meditation on his bench when I can get down to Chapel Hill from Baltimore.
Best to all, Taylor