Photograph of Joan and Dennis Gillings

Moeser also announced that the pledge -- the largest single commitment the university has ever received -- puts UNC over its $2 billion goal for the Carolina First Campaign. The drive, which will end Dec. 31, 2007, supports UNC's vision of becoming the nation's leading public university.

"This history-making commitment exemplifies what we aim to achieve with Carolina First," Moeser said. "It will greatly extend the university's ability to innovate public health solutions across North Carolina and around the world. UNC is committed to global education, and our School of Public Health is one of the best in the world," Moeser said.

Photograph of Dean Barbara K. Rimer

"The Gillings gift will be transformative," said School of Public Health Dean Barbara K. Rimer. "We at the school and the Gillingses share a commitment to solve public health problems in North Carolina and around the world. And we want these solutions to come faster and be more sustainable."

One of the most exciting aspects of the gift, Rimer said, will be creation of competitively selected Innovation Laboratories. Faculty may be from the School of Public Health but also from other schools at UNC and from the private sector as well. The laboratories also will provide support for selected students as they conduct research.

Photograph of Gillings reception crowd

"If we can refine methodologies that accelerate the speed with which clinical trials can be conducted and effective drugs approved, we can contribute to speeding pharmaceutical and other innovations to patients. These are the kinds of problems the Innovation Laboratories will address. This school always has solved problems, but now, we will be able to do this on a much larger scale, here in North Carolina and around the world."

Photograph of Dennis and Joan Gillings

"Our pledge to the School of Public Health reflects our admiration for the School and its accomplishments, and our desire to give it the resources needed to develop and deliver health innovations faster to the people of North Carolina and the world," Dr. Gillings said. "Joan and I, having personally been involved with the school for more than 30 years, are delighted to make this gift. With it, we believe the School of Public Health can lead the way in 21st century public health advances."

Born in London, Gillings received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from the University of Exeter in 1966, a Diploma in Mathematical Statistics from Cambridge University in 1967 and a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Exeter, England, in 1972, after which he joined the UNC faculty. By 1981, Gillings had become a full professor in the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and was named director of UNC-Chapel Hill's Biometric Consulting Laboratory. He received the honorary degree of Doctor of Science from the University in May 2001.

Joan Gillings has had careers in public health, including at the Carolina School of Public Health, and commercial real estate. She sits on several boards of universities both here in the US and abroad, including the Vice Chair of the Board of Visitors of UNC - Wilmington. She also is recognized for her leadership in a number of volunteer organizations.

UNC School of Public Health contact: Ramona DuBose, (919) 966-7467 or ramona_dubose@unc.edu.

UNC News Services contact: Becky Oskin, (919) 962-8596 or becky_oskin@unc.edu.

For additional news coverage about the Gillings gift, visit "The Gillings Gift in the news."