Debra Watkins, executive director of UNC Friday Center retired from her role as executive director. At the July 29, 2022 gathering, a large crowd of staff, clients and external stakeholders attended a dinner at the William and Ida Friday Center to celebrate the long term contributions made by Debra which include: Facilitating meetings, professional development, conventions, and other public and private events at UNC Friday Center. In her role, Debra negotiated bookings, prepared contracts, handled permits, pre-and post-event inspections. Debra was also charged with greeting the public and working with parties interested in using the Friday Center; providing information on services and spaces available; giving tours to showcase the facility; and promoting the conference center to fill gaps in bookings. “The job is much more difficult than it looks,” said Laurie Paolicelli, Director of the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau. “This is a unique role that straddles both the public and private sectors and serves as a resource for higher education and a meeting space that generates economic development for our towns and county. That can get challenging.”
Debra Watkins with Laurie Paolicelli Director of the Visitors Bureau
Ten leaders provided comments and gospel music, a three course dinner and special remarks from Debra, her family and friends rounded out the evening.
REMARKS FROM FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES
- Joseph Jordan, Vice Provost, UNC Academic and Community Engagement; Director, the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History
- Norm Loewenthal, Former Director, (retired), UNC William & Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education
- Don Luse, Former Director, (retired), Carolina Union
- Dawn McNair, Associate Vice President of Research, and Dean, Division of Mathematics and Science, Livingstone College
- Jeff McCracken, Former Chief of Police, (retired), UNC-Chapel Hill
- Scott Myers, Director of Auxiliary Services, UNC-Chapel Hill
- Darrell Jeter, Director, Office of Emergency Management & Planning UNC-Chapel Hill
- Laurie Paolicelli, Executive Director, Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitor’s Bureau
A night of hugs and thanks for Debra Watkins
