Join the UNC College of Arts & Sciences for a special edition Treat Yo Self Thursday Pop-Up this Thursday, December 1 at 4pm in the Graham Memorial Great Hall. Students are invited to treat themselves to the usual assortment of cupcakes and share their hopes, dreams and wishes for the future of Carolina in this beautiful wood-clad setting. All are welcome, so be sure to invite a friend, but be sure show up early as the cupcakes will go quickly!
For more information on how to get to Graham Memorial, click here.
Bonita Brown is the Admissions and Guest Services Manager for the Carolina Union. She loves her pet Parakeet and everything bagels from Alpine. Get to know a little bit about her!
Where do you call home?
I grew up in Yanceyville, NC but have lived in Burlington, NC for the past 20 years. As I live in Burlington, I travel into campus via bus. The ride is just over an hour but I pass the time by meditating, listening to music, sleeping, or reading. I really enjoy the commute as it forces me to sit and relax.
Do you have any pets?
I have a pet Parakeet named George and he is my best friend in the world. I originally wanted a dog but then realized that everyone gets dogs and I wanted to be different. George lives in a very spacious cave and makes sure to welcome me home every evening.
What is your go-to Alpine bagel?
An everything bagel with veggie cream cheese. I love it so much because it is not just something, it is everything.
What does your daily schedule entail?
I interact with clients, mainly through our ticketing services, manage the box office, and manage student staff.
How long have you worked at the Carolina Union?
I am currently in my 6th year. I started in an entry level job and then moved up in the Event Services department of the Union to the position I am now.
What is your favorite aspect of working at the Carolina Union?
The students. I thoroughly enjoy watching them grow from day 1 on the job to when they graduate and leave. I find it very rewarding to teach them not just how to succeed in their position but also something that they can take with them and use forever. I see myself much more than a manager; I see myself as a friend.
What are your direct responsibilities as the Admissions and Guest Services Manager?
I oversee the Union Box Office, house staff, and the Information Desk. Our department is the front-facing image of the Carolina Union and a large portion of my work goes towards making sure that the image is positive.
What are your direct responsibilities as the Admissions and Guest Services Manager?
I oversee the Union Box Office, house staff, and the Information Desk. Our department is the front-facing image of the Carolina Union and a large portion of my work goes towards making sure that the image is positive.
Jaime Dilauro (Class of 2017) is a Public Policy and Gender Studies double major, and a student supervisor at Information Services. The Information Desk is located on the second floor in the main lobby. Jaime provides sign-up, sign-out, and sign-here for many events and activities. She also provides maps, answers questions, and serves as the informational hub for all that goes on in the Union. Get to know a little bit about her!
Where are you from?
I was born in New Jersey, but I grew up in a teeny town called Weldon, North Carolina. It’s in the special part of the state (Halifax County) that’s comprised almost entirely of gas stations and fast food restaurants. It’s actually the rockfish capital of the world, so there’s a 30-foot tall rockfish monument when you first drive into town. Google it if you ever need a dose of small-town weirdness.
What first brought you to the Carolina Union?
I spent a lot of time in the Union prior to working here. As a first year, the Union’s programs and events were a really great chance to get out and meet people. Treat Yourself Thursday was my favorite recurring event, and not just because of the free cupcakes. I wholeheartedly advocate treating yourself, and it’s especially important for college students.
How do you spend your time when you aren’t working?
I like to read, and I read a lot for both of my majors. Other than that, I’ve gotten into cooking this year. Also, if you see me around, ask me if I’ve gone to yoga lately. (I probably haven’t.)
Tell us something about yourself we wouldn’t normally guess.
I’m an extremely competitive person. The problem is, I’m not great at sports, so I always lose and get angry. I didn’t participate in high school sports because it was such a problem.
What is your favorite Tar Heel memory?
It’s hard to pick one, but I think my most important memory occurred when I toured Carolina in high school. I had been really wishy washy about which college I wanted to attend, but when I toured Carolina, I knew that it was the school for me. I actually cried in the Planetarium because I thought it was so beautiful. That’s my favorite memory, because it opened the doors for all the other memories I’ve made.
Recommend a music album and a movie for us.
Elvis Depressedly’s Holo Pleasures is one of my favorite fall albums, and I’ve been listening to that a lot. Obviously, Beyoncé’s Lemonade was one of the best albums of all time. As far as movies are concerned, I recently enjoyed Dope and The Big Short. Good Will Hunting is probably my all-time favorite, though.
Learn more about joining our Student Staff Team!
Join us this Thursday, November 17 for a special edition of Treat Yo Self Thursday! All students are invited to enjoy cupcakes and conversation with Carolina Union staff once a month at 4pm in the West Lounge. We want to hear your ideas and comments about the Union. Even if you don’t have anything to share, you’re welcome to take a cupcake!
This week, we invited our friends at Carolina Cupboard to join us. It is National Health and Homelessness Awareness Week, and this is a time for us all to think about what we are thankful for and how we can share kindness with those experiencing homelessness and hunger.
Carolina Cupboard is a food pantry, located in Avery Residence Hall’s basement, that provides food and supplies at no cost to students facing food insecurity. Student CC representatives will be handing out fliers with information about the upcoming food and supplies drive and how to get involved. If you wish to contribute to the drive, please check the donation list for items they're accepting, and bring them to the Union this Thursday.
Let’s make a change, one cupcake at a time!
We sat down with senior graphic design major, and Design Assistant for the Communications & Creative Services team, Allyson Lyles to talk about the poster she designed for CUAB's Homecoming Comedy Show. The show is November 3rd in Memorial Hall and tickets can be purchased for just $5 in CUAB's office, Room 2519.
What inspired your design?
"When I was looking for inspiration, I saw a lot of hand-drawn lettering and basic hand drawing layered over photos. There’s a sort of organic quality to it that makes a simple design look a lot more interesting. I loved drawing out the words 'comedy show'. I spent a while sketching it out the microphone cord and forming words. I explored what it would look like to be one continuous line. There’s an intangible vision that I saw for the end piece, and I knew it was done when that vision matched and meshed with reality. Then I can walk away from the computer smiling."
Look for more Design Showcases in the future from the Communications & Creative Services team of talented students and learn more about the department here.
How do you tell your story in a compelling and purposeful way? Whether it’s to employers or your community, effectively branding yourself is key when it comes to making strong connections. We’ll examine what goes into creating an impactful brand and provide steps to help you build your very own! Register now: bit.ly/TheLabBuildYourBrand
The Carolina Union Activities Board is bringing comedians DeRay Davis and Chris Redd to campus on November 3rd for a UNC Homecoming Comedy Show! The two are Chicago natives, and have starred in primetime television shows, blockbuster films, and held nation-wide standup comedy tours. Purchase your tickets in the CUAB Office in room 2519 of the Carolina Union!
DeRay developed and honed a hip, sardonic, streetwise mentality at an early age and parlayed it smoothly and efficiently into the comedy-club circuit. Davis achieved his career breakthrough at the Laffapalooza Festival in Atlanta, GA, then scored a triple whammy by winning the Comedy Central Laugh Riots Competition and landing covetable spots in the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival and the Cedric the Entertainer Festival. Recently, DeRay starred in the blockbuster hit 21 Jumpstreet.
Chris began training with the historic Second City Chicago and iO Theater Chicago. It was with that training that Chris created and produced his own stage production at the well-known Southside Chicago comedy club Jokes & Notes. Chris refined his character and sketch writing while touring with the illustrious Second City and had a brief stint on their E.T.C stage before venturing on to work at NBC on an Untitled Sketch Comedy Pilot. Chris' biggest role to date was as Hunter the Hungry in the Lonely Island movie entitled Popstar: Never stop Never Stopping
The Carolina Union recognizes and congratulates our Summer, August and September Student Employees of the Month! Learn more about these talented Tar Heels, and the vital roles they play on our team.
Summer Employees of the Month
Tori Waynick: Tori is a Senior and Operations Supervisor for the Carolina Union. She was chosen as our June Employee of the Month for the outstanding reliability and trustworthiness that she demonstrated in the absence of an additional full time staff manager. Tori provided great leadership and went above and beyond in her position this summer.
Patrick Wilson: Patrick is a Senior Advertising Major and works as a Design Assistant for the Communications and Creative Services Department. He was chosen as our July Employee of the Month for his great dedication, positive attitude, and admirable patience while working on a variety of different projects. Patrick is known for his hardworking personality and his kind and respectful demeanor. Fun Fact: Patrick created the icons for this year’s Fall Fest materials!
August Employee of the Month
Rob Poston: Rob is a Media and Journalism Major working as a Photography Assistant for the Communications and Creative Services Department. He was nominated for bringing high level professionalism, enthusiasm, and talent to every photo shoot he conducts. Rob has done an amazing job in documenting and promoting the feasibility study for the Union. Several full-time staff members have given positive feedback to Rob’s outstanding work.
September Employee of the Month
Karlie McCreary: Karlie is a Senior and Operations Supervisor for the Carolina Union. She was nominated for her fierce work ethic and her exceptional leadership. Karlie takes charge with little to no guidance and in many ways is looked at as a manager in her department. She has been a hardworking employee of the Union for three years, and has shined through her performance this September.
Registration for Hybrid Type: A Study in Creating Letterforms, the next Lab workshop on Tuesday, October 25 from 7-8pm, is officially open. This special edition of The Lab features Lydia Kuekes, a Durham-based graphic designer, illustrator and lettering artist, who will speak about her experimental study of letterforms and typography created with both physical and digital tools. Kuekes will discuss the scientific methods used, sources of inspiration, and process for maintaining motivation while working on a self-directed project. Take a peek at her experiment here.
The Lab partnered with the AIGA Raleigh Shift, an event series dedicated to bringing local experts together with students and emerging designers to discuss various design topics. Their goal is to ease the transition from student to emerging designer. AIGA is a national professional organization for design.
Please join us by registering here (choose the "UNC Chapel Hill Student" ticket type). The Lab is free and open to all students, but registration is required.
The Carolina Union and (student org) are proud to host Michael Sam on Tuesday, October 11, at 7:30pm in the Great Hall. In 2014, Sam, an All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year at Missouri, became the first openly gay player to be drafted to an NFL team. He was later presented with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2014 ESPY Awards. Sam has extensive experience as an advocate for LGBTQ issues, and his outlook is useful to any student. Entry is free for students with a valid OneCard!
