ROSES to Myron S. Cohen, a professor in UNC's medical school who earlier this month received the university system's highest faculty award.

The Board of Governors presented Cohen with the O. Max Gardner Award. The award, the only one for which all faculty members at all the university campuses are eligible, recognizes faculty who have Òmade the greatest contributions to the welfare of the human race.Ó

Cohen certainly qualifies. He is recognized as one of the world's leading authorities on the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDs and other sexually transmitted diseases. He's been an international leader in advancing HIV research, treatment and prevention throughout the world.

He and his colleagues have built and sustained research and medical training projects in the United States and other nations. His research team was among the first to demonstrate that the presence of other sexually transmitted diseases can increase the likelihood of HIV transmission. Their research helped guide the Centers for Disease Control's 2005 strategic plan for HIV prevention and led the National Institutes of Health to tap UNC to help develop a safe and effective vaccine against HIV/AIDS.


ROSES to Club Nova and the local businesses and organizations that participate in its transitional employment program.

Club Nova, based in Carrboro, offers a number of programs, resources and opportunities for adults with mental illness. Among those opportunities is the group's transitional employment program, which partners with local employers to give club members the chance to work, earn a paycheck and build skills and confidence.

Among the participating local employers are the Open Eye Cafe, Staples, the UNC School of Social Work and the Mental Health Association of Orange County.

Club Nova will honor those local employers at a reception on Thursday featuring a talk by Debra Dihoff, the executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Mental illness presents challenges that many of us can't imagine. The opportunity to work, to contribute and be a part of a team gives many people an avenue for growth and a sense of connection to the community.

Club Nova and its partners are doing good work, and those club members who get the chance to hold down a job for participating employers return the favor.


ROSES to the Chapel Hill High School lacrosse team, which held the top ranking in the state throughout the season and last weekend closed the deal, stopping Apex 12-8 to win a second straight state title.

CHHS went undefeated in competition against North Carolina teams (the Tigers lost two games to out-of-state powers), and after a season like that, coach Glenn Estacio said anything less than a championship would be a disappointment.

Mission accomplished.

Chapel Hill beat cross-town rival East Chapel Hill 13-9 in the semifinals to earn a spot in the title game, and had to rally from an early 2-0 deficit against Apex. Senior midfielder Logan Corey scored half the Tigers' goals to give CHHS the spark it needed.