Senator Elizabeth Dole (center) chats with Ron Manheimer, N.C. Center for Creative Retirement Director (foreground, left) and Bob Davis, N.C. Center for Creative Retirement Steering Council Chair (foreground, right) during her visit to campus July 28. Accompanying Senator Dole on her visit were (l-r) UNC Asheville Chancellor Anne Ponder; William P. Massey, UNC Asheville Vice Chancellor for Alumni & Development; Wilma Sherrill, UNC Asheville Special Assistant to the Chancellor; and Joe Damore, President & CEO of Mission Health and Hospitals and a UNC Asheville Board of Trustees member.

Undergraduate research on cancer, the boom in post-retirement careers, and new work on climate change were all part of an intensive morning visit today by Senator Elizabeth Dole.

Accompanied by UNC Asheville Chancellor Anne Ponder, Senator Dole talked with students conducting cancer research with UNC Asheville Assistant Biology Professor Ted Meigs, visited the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement, and heard about the newest efforts to predict the impact of climate change on North Carolina from UNC Asheville's National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC).

“I am a staunch supporter of our higher education institutions," Senator Dole said. "Colleges like UNC Asheville prepare students for today’s workforce and play a critical role in keeping America competitive in an increasingly global economy. I applaud UNC Asheville for its groundbreaking initiatives such as its North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement and the National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center, which are working to provide real solutions to challenges that face all Americans.”