Age: 24
Year graduated: 2007
Major: Geography
Occupation: Teacher at Bellesini Academy, Lawrence
Resides: Lawrence
Hometown: Greenville, N.C.
How did you end up in the area?
"I am participating in the Augustinian Volunteer Program. I was placed here in Lawrence with three other volunteers, one of whom, John Henry Winter-Nolte, graduated from Gonzaga in 2008. The two of us work at Bellesini Academy, a tuition-free Catholic middle school that prepares Lawrence boys for admission to private preparatory high schools. Despite now living in an area dominated by pro sports, the two of us brought with us our excitement for college basketball."
Why did you chose the University of North Carolina?
"I chose UNC because it was a perfect fit for me. It is among the top schools in the country, and it has a diverse student population from across the country and world. The opportunities at Carolina and around Chapel Hill were endless. ... I remember first time I went there to visit in April of my junior year in high school, I was struck the beautiful brick sidewalks and the blooming azaleas. It is a beautiful place."
What are your fondest memories of UNC?
"I miss walking through campus and thinking of all the alumni who have done the same ... including some of the more famous ones like Charles Kuralt, Michael Jordan, Mia Hamm, and others."
What are some of your favorite basketball memories?
"My first year as a student at Carolina was also Roy Williams' first year as head coach. Roy is a Carolina alum and was an assistant to Dean Smith before going to Kansas for 12 years. It was exciting because we had just missed the tournament two years straight. Also, Danny Green's pregame dance to the tune of 'Jump' always gets the home crowd fired up at the Dean Dome. The wins over the Duke are usually the biggest and the losses to Duke have been really tough to take."
Would you recommend UNC to prospective students?
"Absolutely. It's an accepting environment that offers something for just about anyone. The academic side of things is impressive. We beat out Harvard University in terms of Luce Scholarship winners. The school is committed to diversity. Overall, the people are very welcoming and very motivated. It's a refreshing atmosphere to be around."
Where will you watch the Final Four games on Saturday?
"I plan to watch the games at Tommy Doyle's in Harvard Square with the Boston UNC alumni group. It's the site where we had the Carolina game watches. For the Duke games easily over 100 people come together to watch those games."
Why will UNC win the national championship?
"We have the experience, and during the tournament, a solid seven of our players have been playing phenomenally. It's not just Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson. Having Lawson back was very important. But Danny Green was struggling before the tournament but he's come back from his slump and played real well. Even someone like Ed Davis, who is a great defender, is scoring. Shut us down one way and we can do it another way."
University of North Carolina facts
Located: Chapel Hill, N.C.
Founded: 1789
Students: 28,136 (graduate and undergrad)
Tuition, room and board: In-state: $13,731; Out-of-state: $30,629
Famous alums: President James Polk, actor Andy Griffith, soccer star Mia Hamm Garciaparra, basketball legend Michael Jordan, fashion designer Alexander Julian, former U.S. Senator John Edwards, journalist Charles Kuralt, ESPN anchor Stuart Scott, author Thomas Wolfe
Interesting fact: UNC is the oldest public university in the United States, and is one of the original eight schools known as a Public Ivy.
