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He grew up in a slowly dying Midwestern city where few of his school classmates ever dreamed of overcoming the challenges of living in an impoverished community. Leon Williams, however, did, and he has dedicated his career to helping others achieve their goals.

Education is not the answer to every problem, but “it will help us all to learn more about those with whom we share life on this fragile globe,” a sentiment explored in depth March 31 by former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, the keynote speaker at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s Spring Convocation for Honors.

Matt Matheny, a 16-year veteran assistant basketball coach at Davidson College, has been selected to lead ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ's men's basketball program. He was introduced as the 17th head men's basketball coach in ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ history at a March 29 news conference, vowing his goal is to ensure the academic success of the players and at the same time propel ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ to a spot in the NCAA Division I tournament.

Pam Kiser, Watts-Thompson Professor in the Department of Human Services, has accepted the position of Interim Dean of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ College, the College of Arts and Sciences, and will start her new role with the university on June 1.

College Coffee took on a philanthropic vibe on March 17 with the "ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ...Pass It On" event, which educates students about the vital role that alumni, parents and friends play in supporting their ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ education.

A majority of North Carolinians favor laws to ban cell phone use while driving, even though more than half of mobile phone users report doing this regularly, according to the latest ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Poll. Respondents to the poll also supported a statewide ban on smoking in public places.