Jagannathan Sankar, Director of the ERC for Revolutionizing Metallic Biomaterials, based at North Carolina A&T State University, has been accorded the 2010 Oliver Max Gardner Award, the highest faculty honor in the University of North Carolina system. The O. Max Gardner Award, which has been given annually since 1949, was established by the will of N.C. Governor Oliver Max Gardner to recognize faculty who have "made the greatest contributions to the welfare of the human race."  It is the only award for which all faculty members of the 16 UNC campuses are eligible and is considered the UNC system's highest faculty honor.

A special presentation took place as an important part of the Board of Governors meeting, along with Gardner family members, on Friday, April 9, 2010. A video biography of Jag's life and career was broadcast on the UNC PBS channel and can be seen here:  http://flash.unctv.org/ncnow/ncn_omax_jsankar_041210.html

The University of North Carolina system’s press release on this honor is posted here.