Carolina Global Photography Exhibition on Display Jan. 9 to July 12, 2019
December 19, 2018
UNC Global Affairs
Photo by Raymond Tu '21
Photography from the winners of the 19th annual Carolina Global Photography Competition will be on display at the FedEx Global Education Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from January 9 through July 12, 2019.
The Carolina Global Photography Competition is open to Carolina alumni, faculty, staff and students. Winning photographs and other selected images are exhibited throughout the building, showcasing a range of global activity, educational opportunities, research and service work at UNC. Examples of experiences captured by winning photographers include work through UNC Project Malawi, a documentary trip to capture the aftermath of hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico through the School of Media and Journalism, and the U.S. Department of State-sponsored Next Level Hip Hop exchange program in Uzbekistan.
Competition judges selected winning photographs from more than 700 submissions for first, second and third grand prizes. Thematic spotlights were also awarded on the themes of food for all, global perspectives within the U.S., learning moments, movement, nature’s beauty, new takes on old landmarks and school spirit.
Additionally, each area studies center housed in the FedEx Global Education Center selected photos that reflected their mission, vision, academic focus or world area. These images were given FedEx Global Education Center spotlight acknowledgements.
Raymond Tu ’21 was awarded first place for his photo “Living Among the Mountains.” Tu took the photograph while hiking through the rice fields of northern Vietnam during a Morehead-Cain summer enrichment program.
“Last summer, I had the priviege of returning to Vietnam for the first time since my parents had taken me to visit over 10 years ago,” Tu said. “I worked with a group of dedicated researchers on the evaluation and development of HIV treatment programs. During my time in Vietnam, I was also able to explore many parts of Northern Vietnam, including Sa Pa, where this photo was taken. I love this photograph because it really captures the vibrant nature of the Hmong people — the beautiful embroidery, the lush green rice fields, the radiant smiles. Although I learned a lot from my research experience, the opportunity to live in Vietnam, to learn the culture, to speak the language was invaluable.”
Chancellor Carol L. Folt selected three photos she found globally relevant and distinctive, which will be displayed at the FedEx Global Education Center and South Building.
“The exhibition is an opportunity for Carolina students, alumni, faculty and staff to share their global experiences with the larger community, perhaps even sparking interest in a new world region or academic field,” said Ingrid Smith, manager of global events and exhibitions for UNC Global. Smith serves as coordinator for the annual photography competition and exhibition planning committee, which is comprised of staff from the Center for Global Initiatives, Global Relations and the Study Abroad Office.
Entry to the exhibition is free and open to the public. Parking is available Monday through Friday after 5:00 p.m. and all day Saturdays in the McCauley Deck underneath the FedEx Global Education Center, located at 301 Pittsboro St., Chapel Hill. Specific building hours can be found on UNC Global’s website.
The exhibition is co-sponsored by the African Studies Center; Carolina Asia Center; Carolina Center for the Study of the Middle East and Muslim Civilizations; Center for European Studies; Center for Global Initiatives; Center for Slavic, Eurasian and East European Studies; Curriculum in Global Studies; Global Relations; Global Research Institute; Food Theme Steering Committee; Institute for the Study of the Americas; International Student and Scholar Services; and the Study Abroad Office.
Exhibition contact: Ingrid Smith, manager of global events and exhibitions, ingrid.smith@unc.edu
Media contact: Katie Bowler Young, director of global relations, 919.962.4504, kby@unc.edu