chapelhillnews.com

Robert D. St. Claire of Carrboro graduated in May from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a bachelor's degree and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He also was a member of the regimental staff of the VPI Corps of Cadets.
He is the son of Robert and Karen St. Claire of Carrboro.
Robert has subsequently completed Engineer Officer Basic Training at the U.S. Army Engineer School at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. The U.S. Army has recognized Robert as a distinguished graduate of this 17-week training program based on a 90 percent or greater overall average. He is continuing his combat engineering officer training and is attending the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga.

Oleg Alekseev Jr. of Carrboro received a Hughes Fellowship last summer. He used the fellowship to conduct molecular biology research at UNC. He studied the effects of a certain protein on the cell cycle and gene expression in the cell. He is the son of Oleg Alekseev and Victoria Alekseeva, a 2003 graduate of Chapel Hill High School and student at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.

Joan G. Potter of Chapel Hill has been selected to participate in the fifth annual N.C. Medical Society Leadership College. The college combines elements of mentoring, organizational education, skills training and guided experience to cover the philosophy, principles and practice of leadership.

Thomas A. Moore of Chapel Hill has been selected senior executive officer for the 2006-07 academic year at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. Moore is a second lieutenant with Charlie Company. He is the son of James and Carol Moore.

Robert C. Cefalo, professor emeritus of obstetrics and gynecology in the UNC School of Medicine, is one of three recipients of the 2007 Courage to Lead Award.
The award, given by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, honors those who head graduate medical education programs at a hospital, medical school or other type of institution that sponsors residency programs. Award recipients are chosen for their exemplary leadership; dedication to promoting the professional, ethical and personal development of residents; and commitment to safe and appropriate care of patients. The award will be presented at the group's board of directors meeting in February 2007.
Cefalo, who is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and maternal-fetal medicine, headed UNC's physician training programs from 1981 to 2006 and served as assistant dean for graduate medical education. He first joined the UNC School of Medicine faculty in 1979.

Camille Catlett, an investigator at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill, received the 2006 Mary McEvoy Service to the Field Award from the Division of Early Childhood.
The award recognizes Catlett's significant contributions to improve the lives of young children with special needs around the globe, their families, and those who work on their behalf.
Starting out as a speech pathologist in the public school system, Catlett has dedicated her career to the early childhood field. She has provided direct service to young children, coordinated a federal funding program, and led several national training and technical assistance projects, including strategic planning efforts designed to promote systemic change in professional development in more than 30 states.
Her current research focuses on the impact of preparing educators to work with culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse young children and their families.
In addition to serving on national commissions, state boards, and higher education advisory committees, Catlett authors "Natural Resources," a weekly listserv that shares inexpensive resources with colleagues nationwide, and "Resources within Reason," a regular column in Young Exceptional Children.