HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRO-2022-018-Proclamation Recognizing Dean Mike Smith ORANGE COUNTY BOARDCOMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING
DEAN MIKE SMITH
WHEREAS , Michael R . " Mike " Smith became a faculty member of the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill Institute of Government in 1978 and became its director in 1992 ; and
WHEREAS , when the Institute of Government became known as the School of Government in
2001 , Mike Smith was named Dean and has held that position continually since then , becoming
one of the longest serving deans in University history ; and
WHEREAS , Dean Mike Smith facilitated the successful transition of the Master of Public
Administration ( MPA) program to the school in 1997 , and helped launch the fully online MPA
degree in 2013 , quadrupling the number of students served ; and
WHEREAS , through Dean Smith ' s leadership in raising legislative and private funds , the Knapp -
Sanders Building , home of the School of Government , was renovated and expanded in 2004 ; and
WHEREAS , Dean Smith expanded the School ' s capacity to serve by offering programs in public
technology , public leadership and governance , environmental finance , development finance ,
data - driven policy , and criminal justice ; and
WHEREAS , under Dean Smith ' s leadership , the School of Government has become the largest
and most comprehensive university- based local government training , advisory , and research
organization in the United States ; and
WHEREAS , in 2006 , Dean Smith was appointed Vice Chancellor for Public Service and
Engagement , leading the response to UNC Tomorrow , an initiative to make the University of North
Carolina System more responsive to the needs of the state ; and
WHEREAS , during his tenure , Dean Smith was a force behind some of the University' s most
significant public outreach efforts within the state , including the Carolina Center for Public Service ,
the Thorp Faculty Engaged Scholars Program , the Carolina Engagement Council , and the Tar
Heel Bus Tour ; and
WHEREAS , Dean Smith exemplifies the values of neutrality , nonadvocacy , and responsiveness
of the School of Government in its mission to improve state and local governments for all North
Carolinians ; and
WHEREAS , as he steps down as Dean at the end of 2022 , Dean Smith leaves a legacy as one
of the University' s greatest champions of public service ;
NOW, THEREFORE , the Orange County Board of Commissioners , on behalf of the people of
Orange County , does hereby proclaim Wednesday , November 2 , 2022 as
DEAN MIKE SMITH DAY
in recognition of his years of exemplary service as Dean of the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill School of Government , and in appreciation of his commitment to improving North
Carolina communities through professionalism and leadership in government .
This the 1st day of November , 2022 .
ee Price , Chair
range County Board of Commissioners
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