UNC Charlotte Magazine, Winter 2020

Sophomore center Jazmin Harris puts up a shot during the 49ers victory over the Rice Owls.

Sam Roberts

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CHANCELLOR'S LETTER

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UNC Charlotte prepares for change and continued growth As most of you know, June 30 marks the end of my 15 years as chancellor. Between now and then, there remains much to celebrate, remember and honor.

First the celebrating

In December, 49ers fans everywhere were thrilled to support Coach Will Healy, his staff and the UNC Charlotte football team as they competed in their first-ever bowl game (page 48). While the Makers Wanted Bowl didn’t produce a “win” on the field, the Bahamas setting prompted enough alumni and friends to make the trip, fill the stands and out-yell our opponents’ fan section to “win” the fun and excitement. In just eight years, the football program—and its game-day partners, the Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band—have introduced and shined a positive light on UNC Charlotte locally, regionally, nationally and internationally in ways that previously weren’t possible.

We’re just beginning to see the depth and breadth of their impact.

A significant milestone for the University, the 50th anniversary of the Urban Institute at UNC Charlotte, was celebrated last fall (page 12). Since its founding in 1969, the Urban Institute has spearheaded solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges faced by our community and region. Most recently, results from its two-year Urban-Rural Connections study, funded by the Duke Endowment’s Rural Church Program, revealed that the interconnections between the urban and rural communities in our region are deep, and that for each to thrive, the others must be strong. As we move forward, the important work of the Urban Institute will continue to define what it means to be an urban research institution.

Throughout 2020, the College of Computing and Informatics will remind business and technology leaders of its impact over the past 20 years—and its influence on the future (page 22). As the largest college of its kind in North Carolina, CCI faculty and alumni are noticeably affecting Charlotte’s and the state’s research powerhouse and tech workforce. As Charlotte continues to grow as a tech hub, CCI’s value will grow alongside it.

In fact, CCI is one of four academic colleges to comprise the newly announced School of Data Science (page 11), an interdisciplinary endeavor designed to combine and showcase UNC Charlotte’s ability to lead the gathering, interpretation and application of “big data.” Joining CCI in this effort are the Belk College of Business, the College of Health and Human Services and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Opportunities for research, new curriculums, student internships, and public and private partnerships are drivers of the activities that will position UNC Charlotte at the forefront of this exciting field.

In January, the final capital project to be completed as part of my administration’s campus plan opened. The long-awaited University Recreation Center (page 32), offering an array of state-of-the-art health and wellness opportunities for students, faculty, staff and alumni, is already hosting thousands of daily visitors. It is sure to become “the place to be” on campus.

Remembering our most tragic day and honoring its victims

Finally, much of our attention this spring focuses on the first anniversary of “the saddest day in UNC Charlotte’s history.”

On Thursday, April 30, a number of on- and off-campus events will memorialize the lives lost and honor those forever changed on April 30, 2019. This day of remembrance will culminate with an evening performing arts program, “United, A Remembrance Concert,” which will take place at 7:30 p.m., at the Belk Theater of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center (page 40).

Superbly imagined and developed by members of our dedicated faculty and performed by dozens of talented students, professors and alumni, “United” will feature live music, dance, theater and other expressive artforms. Tickets are available on the Blumenthal website BlumenthalArts.org/events. Proceeds from sales will benefit the April 30 Remembrance Fund, which supports the work of the Remembrance Commission. We hope many of you will be able to join us for what promises to be a touching and thoughtful tribute.

I want to recognize and express my gratitude to the Remembrance Commission, led by Emily Zimmern, former president and CEO of the Levine Museum of the New South, for its expertise and commitment to considering the opinions of the University and surrounding communities as it made recommendations for a comprehensive commemoration plan surrounding April 30. While the task of the members has been one that no one ever hopes or plans to perform, each individual gave generously of their time as they worked toward presenting their final report.

It’s difficult to believe that nearly a year has passed since that tragic day. I can almost say the same about the past 15 years. As we head into the coming months, I encourage you to visit our main and Center City campuses to attend an event, cheer on the 49ers’ spring seasons, take part in the “United” Remembrance Concert, and see firsthand the strength, resilience and optimism that makes Niner Nation so special.

Philip L. Dubois Chancellor Winter 2020

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Contents UNC Charlotte Magazine • Winter • 2020

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The Urban Institute: Defining the Urban Research University for a Half-Century For 50 years, UNC Charlotte’s Urban Institute’s indelible footprint on the city of Charlotte and surrounding region have shaped the University’s reputation as North Carolina’s urban research university.

Evidence of Urban Institute influence appears in policy related to education, health care, housing and transportation and more. Without a doubt, its expertise is woven deeply into Charlotte’s social fabric.

A Computing Revolution: CCI at 20 When the College of Computing and Informatics (CCI) was established in 2000, the word Google barely registered as a household word.

Since then, CCI has become the fastest-growing college in the North Carolina University System and its highest producer of computer science graduates.

University Recreation Center Opens its Doors The abbreviated moniker UREC, open on campus for only a few weeks, is already recognized as the place to be. Students are flocking to fitness classes, filling volleyball and basketball courts, getting in a few laps before class and learning to prepare healthy meals. And alumni are able to join, too!

Graduating Niners at a Higher Rate Several years ago, UNC Charlotte put a plan in motion to increase its graduation rate. With this commitment came great ideas and the resources to make the plan a reality. Today, the University is recognized as a leader in providing students the array of support they need to persist until the tassels on their graduation caps are moved from right to left at commencement.

United: A Remembrance Concert To mark the first anniversary of last year’s campus shooting, the University is hosting a Day of Remembrance that will include a commemorative concert to honor the lives of the students who died and the sacrifices of those injured.

Votes for Niners Alumni are winning at the ballot box—and serving the people of North Carolina from the mountains to the beach.

A Winning—and Really Fun—Season: Fall Sports On the gridiron, golf course, soccer field and track, the Charlotte 49ers are making everyone sit up and take notice. Newsflash: There was even a bowl game.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte VOLUME 26, NUMBER 1

Colleen Penhall Chief Communications Officer and Associate Vice Chancellor for University Communications EDITOR Susan Messina Director of News and Information ASSOCIATE EDITOR Phillip Brown CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Phillip Brown Wills Citty Jonnelle Davis Mike Fresina Jennifer Howe Jared Moon Paul Nowell Ely Portillo ART DIRECTOR Ryan Honeyman Director of Creative Services PHOTOGRAPHERS Wade Bruton Ryan Honeyman Kat Lawrence DESIGN & PRODUCTION SPARK Publications

UNC Charlotte is published by The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 ISSN 10771913

EDITORIAL OFFICES Foundation Annex The University of North Carolina at Charlotte 8730 University City Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28223 704.687.7214

Editor’s Note: Cover design by Ti Crowell and Ryan Honeyman.

Correction: In the summer 2019 edition of UNC Charlotte magazine, John Sugg of the University Center for Academic Excellence was incorrectly identified as Howard Simms (page 19).

18,000 copies of this publication were printed at a cost of $.88 per piece, for a total cost of $15,775.

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The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is open to people of all races and is committed to equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability.

News Briefs

Kat Lawrence

Members of the Gage family joined Chancellor Dubois in dedicating the Lucius G. Gage Undergraduate Admissions Center.

New Undergraduate Admissions Center welcomes prospective Niners to campus The Lucius G. Gage Jr. Undergraduate Admissions Center, the new home to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, has increased UNC Charlotte’s capacity to showcase the campus. The 18,000-square-

foot building offers a 150-seat auditorium and a 50-seat presentation room to accommodate prospective students and their families, as well as high school groups.

“The Gage Undergraduate Admissions

www.UNCC.edu

Center offers a larger, more inviting space than we’ve ever had. The presentation spaces alone have tripled our capacity for guests on official campus tours so we can accommodate a growing number of campus visitors,” said Claire Kirby, director of admissions.

“Throughout the building, added touches and finishes reflect our commitment to serving students and providing guests with a positive campus visit and display pride in Niner Nation.”

The Gage Center’s namesake, a Charlotte native who died in 2011, practiced medicine at the Nalle Clinic in Uptown, eventually directing its Allergy and Arthritis Department. Gage bequeathed to UNC Charlotte a 130-acre property in Waxhaw, where he’d cultivated gardens and a built a wildlife sanctuary.

“Dr. Gage believed in the importance of accessible and affordable education,” said Chancellor Philip L. Dubois. “The naming of the Undergraduate Admissions Center recognizes his generosity toward UNC Charlotte and his passion for higher education.”

Mount Zion dig unearths evidence of its conquest Researchers digging at UNC Charlotte’s ongoing archaeological excavation on Mount Zion in Jerusalem have discovered clear evidence of the city’s Babylonian conquest from 587/586 BCE. The discovery is of a deposit including layers of ash, arrowheads dating from the period as well as Iron Age potsherds, lamps and a significant piece of period jewelry–a gold and silver tassel or an earring. There are also signs of a significant, yet-to-be-excavated Iron Age structure, situated beneath layers from later periods.

The Mount Zion Archaeological Project is co-directed by UNC Charlotte Professor of History Shimon Gibson; Rafi Lewis, a senior lecturer at Ashkelon Academic College and a fellow of Haifa University; and James Tabor, UNC Charlotte professor of religious studies. They believe the newly found deposit can be dated to the conquest because of the unique mix of artifacts and materials found.

“We know where the ancient fortification line ran,” noted Gibson, “so we know we are within the city. We know that this is not some dumping area, but the southwestern neighborhood of the Iron Age city; during the 8th century BCE the urban area extended from the ‘City of David’ area to the southeast and as far as the Western Hill where we are digging.”

A rarity found during the dig, a piece of jewelry, is a “unique find and it is a clear indication of the wealth of the inhabitants of the city at the time of the siege.”

Scythian arrowhead

Gold & silver earing

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Researchers awarded NSF Convergence Accelerator grants Computer Scientist Aidong Lu and Political Scientist Jason Windett are among 43 inaugural recipients of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Convergence Accelerator pilot awards (for separate projects).

This new NSF initiative supports multidisciplinary research teams with the ability to apply big data—that is, data sets too large or complex to be managed by traditional data processing application software—to science and engineering, and inform the development of new technologies that enhance the lives of American workers. This lays the groundwork for public-private partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, which often

Jason Windett

Aidong Lu

cannot justify investment in basic research when commercial application is unclear.

Lu and her team will develop a smart, artificial intelligence-driven training platform for firefighters that uses advances in virtual reality/mixed reality, smart sensing and kinesiology.

The aim—when these are combined with big data, artificial intelligence and fire engineering—is to accelerate a shift from traditional training to an individualized approach that is based on a trainee’s determined-by-data readiness to progress. These changes could lead to the development of new certifications, and, ideally, applicability across industries.

Windett, along with experts from several partner organizations, will develop the Federalism Data and Advanced Statistics Hub (F-DASH), a comprehensive and centralized source of data and analysis related to governing institutions and public policies across the United States. F-DASH will integrate an unprecedented amount of data collected by states—historically available only state by state—on politics, public policy, and economic and social outcomes. New tools will be developed that allow users to explore, visualize and analyze data on a federal level, eliminating the need to replicate research and data gathering for individual states’ public policy needs.

Teaching excellence tapped Jennifer Webb, an associate professor in the Department of Psychological Science, and Thomas Marshall, a Belk College of Business lecturer, are the 2019 recipients of the Bank of America Award for Teaching Excellence and the UNC Charlotte Award for Teaching Excellence.

When engaging with students, Webb strives for respect, fairness, transparency and authenticity. She considers her classroom a space where students are co-creators in the process of learning with the goal of enhancing student motivation and learning.

“I do not believe in lecturing to students,” said Webb. “I view the classroom as a creative space for our collective wisdom to dynamically unfold through lively exchanges in which we can debate the merits of multiple sides of an issue. Engaging this critical lens supports students’ consciousness-raising capacities and cognitive flexibility as personal resources.”

Motivating and guiding students to discover their personal career passion is a must for Marshall, the inaugural recipient of the UNC Charlotte Award for Teaching 4

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Wade Bruton

Jennifer Webb and Thomas Marshall, center, were recognized for their commitment to teaching. Awards were presented by Steffany Hajek, Bank of America; Michelle Bissiere, 2018 recipient; Provost Joan Lorden and Chancellor Philip L. Dubois.

Excellence, which recognizes outstanding non-tenure track teachers (primarily lecturers and adjunct faculty).

“I have found that students are most interested and learn best from real-life

examples and experiences, so all of my lectures incorporate stories and examples from my personal experience in the insurance industry or in my personal life,” he said.

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Outstanding alumni honored The UNC Charlotte Alumni Association honored outstanding 49er alumni with the Ten Under 10 and Excellence in Leadership awards. Ten Under 10 recipients are Darryl Bellamy ’12, entrepreneur; Paula Canter ’14, vice president Society of Women Engineers; Mykell Gates Jamil ’10, director of school and community outreach, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art; Emmanuel Kei ’16, global product manager, Wells Fargo; Justin Marsh ’11, nuclear-trained machinist mate, U.S. Navy; Katie Shue McGuffin ’09, ’12, ’15 MS, ’17 DNP, faculty member, UNC Charlotte School of Nursing; Mellissa Oliver ’12, recognized in 2017 by Charlotte Agenda 30 Under 30; Jonathan Peebles ’13 ’16 MPA, development director, Latin American Coalition; Jarron Thomas ’12, leads fraud strategic initiatives for Global Banking & Markets, Bank of America; and Samantha Timmons ’16, business operations associate, United States Tennis Association.

Recipients of the Excellence in Leadership Award are Pamela Wideman ’06 MPA,

Wade Bruton

director of Charlotte’s Housing and Neighborhood Services Department; Robin Green ’96, learning community administrator, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools; B.J. Williams ’10, dean of students and new teacher coach, Eastway Middle School;

Khaleel Loyd ’14, CEO and executive producer, Loyd Visuals; Linda Bratton Haynes ’80, judge of Dekalb County (Ga.) Juvenile Court; and Derek Ross ’05, founder and CEO, D2 Group. Image courtesy of BAC Excellence in Leadership Award.

Johnson Alumni Way honors donors’ longtime generosity and friendship

Kat Lawrence

On Sept. 28, Gene and Vickie Johnson celebrated the naming of Johnson Alumni Way with Krista Mann ‘95, president, UNC Charlotte Alumni Association, left, and Chancellor Philip L. Dubois prior to 49ers football v. Florida Atlantic.

Last fall, the University honored Gene ’73 and Vickie ’71 ’82 Johnson with the naming of Johnson Alumni Way, which runs on the south side of campus adjacent to Harris Alumni Center.

“For more than 40 years, Gene and Vickie Johnson have been among our most dedicated and active supporters,” said Chancellor Philip L. Dubois. “Gene has served on nearly every board and worn nearly every hat that we’ve asked him to. And Vickie has been there every step of the way to support his inability to say no.”

The Johnsons’ generosity touches nearly every aspect of the University.

A $2 million gift in 2014 created the Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band; this came in addition to support that created the drum line and the Vickie and Gene Johnson Marching Band Center. The construction of the Barnhardt Student Activity Center and the Harris Alumni Center are other campus projects the Johnsons’ contributions helped make possible.

To increase opportunities at UNC Charlotte for students from middle income families who do not qualify for federal grant programs, they established the Johnson Scholars program. The inaugural class of five Johnson Scholars enrolled in fall 2019.

Gene Johnson is the first alumnus to chair both the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees and the University’s Foundation Board. He currently chairs EXPONENTIAL: The Campaign for UNC Charlotte, which is expected to exceed its $200 million goal before June 30.

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UNC Charlotte to help define best practices for recruiting diverse and inclusive STEM faculty

Ryan Honeyman

Ogundiran named Chancellor’s Professor Akinwumi Ogundiran, a transdisciplinary scholar and professor in the departments of Africana Studies, Anthropology and History, was designated a Chancellor’s Professor at UNC Charlotte, making him the third scholar to receive this honor since its inception in 2013. This campus honor recognizes his outstanding scholarly achievements and demonstrated excellence in interdisciplinary research, teaching and service.

“Dr. Ogundiran is an internationally recognized scholar whose contributions to the University and to the highly interdisciplinary fields of Africana studies, anthropology, history and the arts define what it means to be a Chancellor’s Professor,” said Joan Lorden, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Ogundiran is editor-in-chief of the African 6

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Archaeological Review and has served on the editorial boards of 10 academic journals and three monograph series. He is active in the African Studies Association, the leading North America-based interdisciplinary organization for scholars of Africa, where he serves on the editorial board of its flagship journal, the African Studies Review, and has sat on the Distinguished Africanist Award Selection Committee.

Contributing to scholarship across a range of disciplines, Ogundiran has published one peer-reviewed book, four edited volumes, two short monographs and 35 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, in addition to numerous book reviews, research notes and essays. His most recent co-edited volume, “Materialities of Ritual in the Black Atlantic,” was recognized as a Choice Outstanding Academic Title.

UNC Charlotte is one of 20 universities participating in a threeyear effort to develop inclusive faculty recruitment, hiring and retention practices, augmenting the institutional recruitment inclusion plan in progress.

The Association of Public and Landgrant Universities (APLU) co-leads Aspire: The National Alliance for Inclusive and Diverse STEM Faculty.

“Recruiting, hiring and retaining more inclusive and diverse STEM faculty on our campuses is essential for the increased success of all STEM students, the increased quality and production of our scientists, and public universities’ ability to achieve their mission to improve lives,” said Travis York, APLU’s assistant vice president, Academic and Student Affairs.

Participating universities will assess their current practices and assets aimed at ensuring all STEM faculty use inclusive teaching practices and that institutions increase the diversity of their STEM professoriate. The institutions will then develop and implement campus action plans to drive change and scale such efforts across all their STEM programs.

“UNC Charlotte began a coordinated effort in 2006 to recruit a more diverse faculty and implement inclusive practices in our classrooms and throughout the University,” said Joan Lorden, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “The goals of the Aspire Alliance align with the UNC Charlotte Plan for Diversity, Access and Inclusion and our progress toward its objectives. We look forward to partnering with peer institutions as we continue to move the needle in this area.”

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Genomics researcher awarded University’s first MIRA from NIH

Kat Lawrence

A $1.83 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will allow researcher Rebekah Rogers, an assistant professor in the Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, College of Computing and Informatics, to continue her focus on complex genetic mutations, which are important in the study of autism, cancer, immune disorders and reproductive disorders.

The NIH Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA), the first for UNC Charlotte, provides funding for five years to provide maximum flexibility for Rogers’ lab to study complex mutations as a source of evolutionary innovation that can form new genes, modify expression of existing genes and contribute to the genetic basis of evolutionary change.

While gene mutations are known to be associated with multiple diseases in humans and to contribute to adaptive changes in natural populations, they remain understudied. Rogers’ proposal seeks to fill the knowledge gap by identifying complex mutations shaping natural variation and adaptation.

“It turns out that these mutations are really good at creating new genes,” Rogers said. “They can copy an entire gene, mix and match pieces of genes or stick on/off switches next to regions that didn’t have genes before. By studying where, when and how these mutations do good things instead of bad things, we can start to figure out why some of them contribute to disease.”

Tryon Street campus entrance dedicated as Popp Gate UNC Charlotte’s entrance to campus from North Tryon Street is now known as Popp Gate. The Institute Circle egress, renovated to mirror Dickson Gate, the University’s main entrance on University City Boulevard, was dedicated in honor of Peggy and Coach Joe Popp, the parents of Karen Popp ’80, a longtime University supporter.

Popp, her brothers and their families’ financial contributions in support of EXPONENTIAL: The Campaign for UNC Charlotte recognizes their late parents. Joe Popp was a legendary high school football coach in Mooresville and a former assistant coach for the Cleveland Browns.

An internationally respected attorney, Popp, while a UNC Charlotte undergraduate, was the first woman in the UNC System elected a student body president. As a freshman, she played varsity women’s basketball, was a member of the N.C. Student Legislature and coordinated a leg of the torch relay run from Ithaca Falls, N.Y., to Houston, Texas, to celebrate “International Women’s Year” in 1976.

“From the day I entered this campus, I felt a sense of growth. I thrived at this great University, but my parents were a big part of

Wade Bruton

Karen Popp and her family supported construction of the Popp Gate, the campus entrance on North Tryon Street to honor the memory of Peggy and Coach Joe Popp, their parents and grandparents.

that in the way they had raised me and the way they pushed my brothers and me to grow and be our best,” said Popp. “Passing through a campus gate can mean, as it did for me, the beginning of a wonderful and life changing set of experiences.”

As an alumna, Popp has served as chair of the University’s Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board. Her generous gift helped

launch EXPONENTIAL: The Campaign for UNC Charlotte in 2016, and her support was instrumental in the construction of the Karen A. Popp and Demond T. Martin Student Union, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. She was awarded the Bonnie E. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award for commitment to the University and community.

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Ryan Honeyman

Kat Lawrence

Chancellor Philip L. Dubois and Lisa Lewis Dubois, far right, were recognized by the city of Charlotte for the impact of their civic dedication and impact. Awards were presented by Charlotte’s mayor Vi Lyles and City Council Member Julie Eiselt.

Phil and Lisa Lewis Dubois honored for their contributions to the city of Charlotte Chancellor Philip L. Dubois and First Lady Lisa Lewis Dubois were honored in December by Mayor Vi Lyles for their leadership, dedication and service to the city of Charlotte.

On Dec. 2, Dubois received the Mayor’s Citizen Award, named in honor of Harvey B. Gantt, at a Charlotte City Council meeting. The award, presented by Lyles, honors citizens who have demonstrated courage and civility. It followed by less than two weeks Charlotte Magazine’s announcement that Dubois had been named a 2019 Charlottean of the Year (Nov. 21, 2019).

“Chancellor Dubois’ professional influence has bolstered the University that we all want to have in our city. He also has set a bond with the city that is solid and strong,” said Lyles. “We all watched as you displayed steadfast stability, courage and compassion during the tragic campus shooting in April 2019.

Your strength and fortitude provided support to countless 8

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others who felt the heartbreak of that evening. Thank you for being chancellor of our university and for being someone who leads with courage and civility.”

The next day, Lisa Lewis Dubois was presented with a citation from the mayor proclaiming Dec. 3, 2019, “Lisa Lewis Dubois Day.” The recognition occurred during the annual Ladies Holiday Luncheon on campus, hosted by Dubois, which collects toys for Kids First of the Carolinas and food for UNC Charlotte’s Jamil Niner Student Pantry.

“In her time as first lady, Lisa Lewis Dubois has brought warmth, grace and passion to her important role at UNC Charlotte,” said Lyles. “She has been a dedicated and effective community leader and a role model and inspiration to UNC Charlotte students and young alumni, and instrumental in UNC Charlotte’s extraordinary transformation into a research university with nearly 30,000 students.”

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Bonner leaders win statewide recognition Neariah Mandisa-Drummond and Rebecca De Luna, members of UNC Charlotte’s Bonner Leaders program, have been recognized by North Carolina Campus Compact, a statewide network of colleges and universities committed to community engagement, for their community service efforts.

Mandisa-Drummond, a senior, is the 2019 recipient of the John H. Barnhill Civic Trailblazer Award given to one college student in the state who has created and led innovative projects that address community needs. De Luna, a junior, received the Community Impact Student Award.

Mandisa-Drummond has built bridges between the campus and greater Charlotte community. In her freshman year, MandisaDrummond and a small team of Bonner Leaders planned an event on campus that brought students and local law enforcement officers together to discuss building trust following the death of Keith Lamont Scott in September 2016. She submitted a Chancellor’s Diversity Challenge Fund grant with the intent of creating a safe space for conversations among UNC Charlotte campus police, CharlotteMecklenburg Police Department and UNC Charlotte students. Also, she has been an active member of the University’s Civic Action Planning group, a committee of faculty and administrators responsible for designing strategies to strengthen engaged scholarship on campus, build partnerships with community organizations and integrate civic learning into the curriculum.

De Luna completed an internship with Camino Community Center, a health and wellness clinic and community center dedicated to serving Charlotte’s Latino community. She coordinated more than 200 volunteers for the 14th annual Back to School Children’s Fair in 2018. In 2019, while her supervisor was on leave, De Luna served as interim communications director for the 15th fair. She connected with the press, prepared press releases, wrote blog posts and managed a social media campaign.

The Bonner Leaders program is an intensive, four-year community engagement opportunity for undergraduates. Participants are embedded in Charlotte-based institutions and agencies, participate in weekly skills development seminars, earn course credit, conduct community-based research and contribute to public policy initiatives.

Ryan Honeyman

Neariah Mandisa-Drummond, recipient, 2019 John H. Barnhill Civic Trailblazer Award

Kat Lawrence

Rebecca DeLuna, recipient, Community Impact Student Award

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New academic and administrative leaders join the University Chief Communications Officer Colleen Penhall and academic deans Brook Muller and Catrine Tudor-Locke began their tenures with UNC Charlotte with the start of the fall 2019 semester.

Penhall leads UNC Charlotte’s communications and brand strategy, including media relations, issues management, news and information, broadcast and digital media, creative services, advancement communications and communications operations. She reports to Niles Sorensen, vice chancellor for University Advancement, and serves as a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet.

With more than 20 years of experience managing corporate reputation, brand and social responsibility for Fortune 100 companies, Penhall most recently served as a vice president at Lowe’s Companies Inc., a Fortune 50 home improvement company, overseeing both corporate communications and corporate social responsibility functions. She is credited for leading Lowe’s awardwinning communications strategy globally recognized for supporting a purpose-led transformation impacting 310,000 employees.

Muller, dean of the College of Arts + Architecture, came to UNC Charlotte from the University of Oregon, where he was director of the Portland Architecture Program and a professor in the Architecture Department.

Prior to joining the University of Oregon in 2004, Muller was the director of an environmental sustainability program and an assistant professor at California Polytechnic State University, where he received the Wesley Ward Outstanding Teaching Award in 2002. He entered academia from practice. After earning a Master of Architecture from the University of Oregon in 1992, he worked with Behnisch and Partners Architects in Stuttgart, Germany.

Tudor-Locke joined the University from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she was associate dean for research and administration in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences. Previously, Tudor-Locke served as chair of the Department of Kinesiology.

She has established an internationally recognized research program on the promotion of walking throughout the lifespan and the development of objective measures of physical activity using wearable technology.

She has more than 280 articles published or in press in leading physical activity journals and has presented at many national and international conferences resulting in more than 150 abstracts or conference presentations.

She also has delivered more than 85 invited academic presentations in the United States and internationally.

Colleen Penhall

Brook Muller

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Hague to lead Data Science Last fall, Doug Hague was named executive director for UNC Charlotte’s Data Science Initiative (DSI), an interdisciplinary industryuniversity state partnership that since 2015 has focused on preparing students and industry leaders to apply the power of data to solve problems in business and society. In January, his role expanded with the introduction of UNC Charlotte’s School of Data Science (SDS).

Hague, who holds four U.S. patents, in 2018 was named was named by Corinium Global Intelligence as one of the Top 50 Data and Analytics Professionals in the United States and Canada. He brings more than 20 years’ experience as an executive advisor to leaders in health care, manufacturing, financial services and the service industry to identify efficient and effective analytical organization, infrastructure and data platforms.

The interdisciplinary nature of both DSL and SDS is reflective in the collaborative leadership among the College of Computing and Informatics, the Belk College of Business,

Kat Lawrence

Doug Hague is leading the School of Data Science, the first of its kind in the Carolinas.

the College of Health and Human Services and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

It recognizes the evolution of data science in many industries and the need for multiple skill sets among business managers, social scientists, statisticians and health analysts to create meaning from data.

Hague holds a master’s degree in system design and management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology as well as a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering and a master’s degree in metals science and engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

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THE UNC CHARLOTTE URBAN INSTITUTE:

Defining the Urban Research

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University for a half-century Seeking solutions for more than 50 years to the social, economic and environmental challenges facing our communities.

BY ELY PORTILLO PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY URBAN INSTITUTE

F

ive decades ago, UNC Charlotte leaders launched the Urban Institute with simple but ambitious goals: Bring rigorous urban studies to Charlotte and connect the university with its booming region.

Since then, the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute has drawn up plans for communities big and small; helped define Charlotte’s political landscape; and studied crucial issues such as homelessness, land conservation and economic development.

The institute’s data, research and outreach have shaped two generations’ understanding of Charlotte.

But memories of those humble beginnings are still fresh. Dr. Norm Schul, the institute’s first director, recalled a vastly smaller city.

“Charlotte was starting to change, but it still, shall we say, had a small-town mentality,” said Schul. And the university—added to the UNC system just four years earlier, in 1965—was still outside Charlotte city limits.

“People kidded about us. We were the University of North Carolina at Newell,” said Schul. “We had cows grazing. It was a far stretch to think we were going to be urban.”

Cows notwithstanding, the legislature granted UNC Charlotte’s request for $85,000 to establish a center for urban studies. And explosive growth lay ahead for both the school and the city—often guided by the new Urban Institute.

Nathan Burton and Resourceful Communities

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Every spring, the Urban Institute invites Charlotteans and visitors to explore the city’s neighborhoods through City Walks.

To find out about the 2020 schedule, connect with City Walks Charlotte on Facebook.

“The institute was, in many ways, a tone-setter,” said Schul, who went on to serve in a number of roles at UNC Charlotte, including dean of the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

As UNC Charlotte evolved into North Carolina’s urban research university, the Urban Institute helped define and carry out that mission, forming a vital part of the school’s outreach into surrounding communities. The institute’s key work has included: • P ublishing the Metrolina Atlas in 1972, a tool for local leaders and economic developers seeking to define and grow the region’s economy.

• S pearheading the development of University Place, which opened in 1985 as one of the city’s first mixed-use developments, drawing growth north. onducting the study, under future •C institute director Bill McCoy, that led to the formation of Charlotte City Council’s district and at-large representative structure.

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Signature Work

Bill McCoy

region’s economy, environmental challenges and economic mobility under the current leadership of director Jeff Michael, as well as expanding outreach efforts to engage the community and disseminate scholarship.

Nancy Pierce

Over the years, the institute’s role has evolved. It has served as home for a variety of programs, including Leadership Charlotte, housed at the institute until 1990, and the Carolinas Land Conservation Network, a regional collaborative based at the institute through the early 2000s.

The institute’s mission includes both data and outreach. The Quality of Life Explorer embodies both: A digital dashboard produced in partnership with Mecklenburg County and the city of Charlotte that allows people to create and view interactive maps about their community on more than 80 topics, from race and education to income and residential water use.

Each May, hundreds of people set off on foot to explore neighborhoods as part of City Walks. One of the institute’s signature outreach programs, City Walks has grown from a single walk to 40 free, citizen-led

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Nancy Pierce

The UI’s Institute for Social Capital applies integrated data to the study of homelessness and other pressing social and economic problems.

walking tours in neighborhoods throughout the region. People meet their neighbors, learn about new areas and explore issues ranging from the immigrant experience to what it’s like to be blind in Charlotte.

South to renovated space in the Sycamore building, next to the Botanical Gardens.

As Charlotte keeps growing, the Urban Institute is poised to continue its role of bringing nonpartisan, data-driven solutions to the region’s social, economic and environmental problems.

“There are no shortage of problems in a major metropolitan region like Charlotte,” said UNC Charlotte Chancellor Philip Dubois. “Not only can we engage communities in helping them solve their problems, we can also provide them with the data they need to understand the depth of those problems.”

Follow the Data

The Institute for Social Capital, an integrated data system that’s been part of the institute since 2012, is putting big data at the service of researchers studying pressing social and economic problems across Charlotte.

“At the ISC, we build relationships across data silos to understand problems and create solutions in a more connected way,” said Lori Thomas, director of the ISC, as well as research and faculty engagement for the Urban Institute.

Michael said the ever-increasing power of data, enabled by the ISC, will help the institute going forward.

“We now have access to information and data that allow us to be so much more sophisticated in the way we look at

Urban Institute Director Jeff Michael

questions we’re trying to address for the community,” he said.

UI’s Future

The Urban Institute is focused on the future. In early 2020, the unit will move from its longtime offices in Colvard

Ely Portillo is assistant director for outreach and strategic partnerships for The Urban Institute. He joined the institute in spring 2019 to oversee its online engagement activities, including coverage of regional policy issues and the dissemination of research findings. For more on the Urban Institute’s history and future, including an interactive timeline, go to www.ui.uncc.edu.

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Faculty researchers support a broad range of Urban Institute issues Some of the Urban Institute’s strongest work has come through collaboration with faculty members and academic departments across the University.

From 2014 through 2017, the institute partnered with the College of Arts + Architecture and Lambla artWORKS on Keeping Watch, a project using visual, written and interactive media to highlight environmental issues. One piece of the project, “Particle Falls,” made otherwise invisible, real-time air pollution apparent through a waterfall of light projected on the UNC Charlotte Center City building. See more at keepingwatch.org.

The two-year Carolinas Urban-Rural Connection wrapped up in November. Funded by the Duke Endowment, the project was led by director Jeff Michael and professor Bill Graves, Department of Geography & Earth Sciences, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, as co-principal investigators. Through a multipart online series of articles, graphics, maps and photo galleries, the project examined the cultural and economic ties that once bound our region’s cities to small towns and rural areas as well as exploring strategies to revive those connections. See the whole Carolinas Urban-Rural Connection project at bit.ly/CarolinasConnection.

In 2019, the institute launched a new Research Faculty Fellows program. Supported by a grant from the Gambrell Foundation, the institute is funding and coordinating seven research projects by faculty teams from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the Data Science Initiative, College of Arts + Architecture, Cato College of Education, College of Health and Human Services and Belk College of Business. The projects focus on a broad range of issues — from transit and displacement to English education for immigrants to teaching incarcerated people digital skills before their release from jail — but all center on the theme of economic mobility.

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HELPING COMMUNITIES SOLVE “SOME OF THE NATION’S GREAT URBAN PROBLEMS” - CH A N CE L LO R D E AN CO LVARD, 1 965

The Urban Institute turns 50, urban studies on a rural campus

BY PAM KELLEY

As UNC Charlotte’s Urban Institute prepared to celebrate its 50th anniversary in fall 2019, freelance writer Pam Kelley outlined in a five- part series its history, ways the Urban Institute changed Charlotte, how the work it undertook work forged its reputation and the policy changes it has influenced connect to Charlotte, and its goals for the future. The first installment appears here in its entirety. To read Kelley’s additional insights, visit ui.uncc.edu.

I

n 1970, when UNC Charlotte formally launched its Urban Institute, the campus had just nine academic buildings.

Cows grazed the surrounding pastures and, on at least one occasion, ventured onto athletic fields.

It wasn’t an obvious locale for urban studies, particularly since the young campus was outside the city. It would be another 20 years

before Charlotte annexed the property from Mecklenburg County. People joked about the University of North Carolina at Newell.

But from the moment this commuter college became a university in 1965, Dean Colvard, its first chancellor, imagined bigger things. Early on, faculty and administrators came up with the idea for an urban institute that would share its expertise with the Charlotte region, helping communities solve what the chancellor described to N.C. legislators in 1968 as “some of the nation’s great urban problems.”

Today, the late chancellor’s vision is reality.

UNC Charlotte is an urban research campus with 30,000 students. For 50 years, its Urban Institute has researched dozens of topics— land conservation, city-county consolidation, affordable housing and evictions, to name a few—helping shape the Charlotte region by

supplying policymakers with data, new ideas and best practices. Along the way, the institute has gained a national reputation for skillfully sharing its applied research and engaging with its community.

It all began on a shoestring budget. In 1969, when the university asked the state legislature to establish an urban studies center, it received $85,000. This was substantially less than its $500,000 request, but part-time director Norman Schul, a young geographer who’d come from UNC Greensboro, managed to find enough additional money to double the amount.

Like many university employees in those days, Schul, a Ph.D. from Syracuse University, wore multiple hats. When he began building the Institute for Urban Studies and Community Service, as it was known in its early years, he also chaired the Geography Winter 2020

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Department. And served as dean of the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Colvard suggested that the institute be patterned on an agricultural extension agency, a vision shaped by Colvard’s experience as College of Agriculture dean at N.C. State University and president of Mississippi State University, both land-grant universities whose robust ag extension agencies served the people of their states.

This proved an effective model for an aspiring urban university. “He was very skilled at understanding when you’re going to deliver on a particular mission, you have to have a vehicle to make that happen,” says UNC Charlotte Chancellor Philip Dubois. The institute became that vehicle, connecting the University with its region.

Colvard let Schul figure out the details.

“It was kind of an open season with whatever I thought would work,” recalls Schul, now retired in Charlotte. He began by organizing conferences on topics that would attract city officials and business leaders, seeking “any way we could bridge the gap between the university and downtown.”

He also amplified the institute’s reach by encouraging faculty collaborations. That decision led to its first big success—“Metrolina Atlas,” published in 1972 by the University of North Carolina Press and edited by geographers James Clay and Douglas Orr Jr., with many chapters written by faculty members.

The book focused on Mecklenburg and 11 surrounding counties, with chapters covering subjects such as history, the physical environment, industries, politics and education. Charts and maps illustrating everything from regional bus routes and Civil War battle sites to political party voting patterns in gubernatorial races were included. It became a valuable tool for “the businessman, planner, journalist and public official—or anyone who wants to understand his region and anticipate its future,” as a Charlotte Observer editorial declared.

The atlas also arrived at the perfect time. Local leaders, eager to attract new business and industry, faced unimpressive population numbers—Mecklenburg County’s population was just 355,000 in 1970. But the atlas emphasized the Metrolina region, which had a population of 1.2 million, and more potential economic clout. Orr and Clay traveled the region 18 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine

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Norm Schul, founder of The Urban Institute

making dozens of presentations explaining the interconnectedness of Mecklenburg and towns within a 50-mile radius.

“It got a lot of notice for the University,” recalls Orr, who went on to serve as a UNC Charlotte vice chancellor and president of Asheville’s Warren Wilson College. The book, and the institute itself, helped “define and facilitate Charlotte’s self-awareness—what it was and what it was becoming.”

The institute published two other important works in the early 1970s. “North Carolina Atlas,” a statewide version of the earlier book, was edited by Clay, Orr and geographer Al Stuart. And “Citizen Attitudes and Metropolitan Government: City-County Consolidation in Charlotte,” by political scientist Schley Lyons, became an important resource as Charlotte and Mecklenburg County studied consolidating functions as the city grew.

In 1974, Schul left the directorship so he could focus on his role as dean. University leaders replaced him with James L. Cox, formerly executive director of the Council of University Institutes for Urban Affairs.

Cox took the institute in a different direction, offering academic courses in urban subjects and focusing on basic research. But this wasn’t Colvard’s vision. The institute had been conceived to do applied research, acting as a facilitator, bringing in faculty from various departments. By 1978, Cox had left the institute.

At least one significant project was completed under Cox’s watch, however.

Political scientist Bill McCoy, who’d joined the institute on a part-time basis, drew up a potential City Council district map for a coalition of neighborhood leaders trying to replace the council’s system of at-large representation.

In 1977, city voters approved a referendum to create a new hybrid system based on the map McCoy had created—four at-large seats and seven district seats.

The system “broke the grip that southeast suburbs had held on municipal decision making since the early twentieth century and that wealthy men had enjoyed since the earliest days of the city’s history,” Tom Hanchett writes in “Sorting Out the New South City: Race, Class, and Urban Development in Charlotte, 1875-1975.”

After Cox left, University leaders again needed an Urban Institute director. Orr recalls Chancellor E.K. Fretwell Jr. asking how the institute could become a player in developing University City.

And he recalls Jim Clay’s reply: “Give me the leadership of the Urban Institute, and I can make it happen.”

Later, Orr asked Clay, who’d become his close friend, if he’d been serious. Clay said yes. Orr nominated him for the job. Fretwell appointed him. Soon, Clay would take on the Urban Institute’s most ambitious project to date—a project that would help change the shape of Charlotte.

Sources for Pam Kelley’s series on the Urban Institute include interviews, newspaper articles, University documents and two books, ‘Charlotte and UNC Charlotte: Growing Up Together,’ by Ken Sanford; and ‘Dean W. Colvard: Quiet Leader,’ by Marion A. Ellis.

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Wade Bruton

The Schul Forum, held at UNC Charlotte Center City, provided a platform for sharing the results of the Carolinas Urban-Rural Connection project, two-years in the making.

Inaugural Schul Forum explores vital connections between urban and rural communities

BY SUSAN MESSINA

T

he Urban Institute’s Schul Forum, held Nov. 21, 2019, presented findings from the Carolinas Urban-Rural Connection project. This two-year Urban Institute research endeavor explored the ways urban centers and rural communities in 32 counties surrounding Charlotte are tied to one another.

Funded by the Duke Endowment, the Carolinas Urban-Rural Connection project dove into the Charlotte region’s rise to prosperity on the strength of ties between its rural areas and urban center, and how those ties in recent decades have frayed with the decline of the textile industry and Charlotte’s emergence as a global finance center.

Guided by the belief that ties between urban and rural communities still matter and are worth saving, researchers gathered large amounts of data on economic relationships, regional food systems, commuting patterns, demographic shifts, the contribution of natural and cultural resources to economic vitality, efforts to boost economic development and entrepreneurship, philanthropy and regional leadership.

“For 50 years, the Urban Institute’s work has revolved around two primary functions: the research itself and convening people through conferences and public forums to discuss outcomes and solutions in an objective and nonpartisan way,” said Jeff Michael, the Urban Institute’s director, during a recent interview on the N.C. State University podcast, First in Future: Where Emerging Ideas Take Flight. “The Schul Forum allows us to continue indefinitely this longstanding tradition of effective community dialogue.”

The Marianne M. and Norman W. Schul Forum was established in late 2018 through a major gift from the Urban Institute’s founding director, Norm Schul, and his wife, Marianne, who earned a master’s degree in education from UNC Charlotte in 1973. The Urban Institute’s first endowed gift supports the annual series, designed to bring together regional leaders and national experts to examine policy issues and topics affecting the Charlotte region. The Schuls’ gift for the forum series, whose presentations are informed by research conducted by institute and other University researchers, was made as part of EXPONENTIAL: The Campaign for UNC Charlotte. It complements their earlier contributions to UNC Charlotte, which include an endowed professorship to foster the career development of tenure-track faculty within the Department of Geography & Earth Sciences, for which Schul served as first faculty chair, and an endowed scholarship for graduate students in counseling and special education at the Cato College of Education.

“Through their work and expertise, Norm and Marianne Schul helped position UNC Charlotte as a regional leader in education and applied research,” said Chancellor Phillip L. Dubois. “In doing so, they forged our reputation as North Carolina’s urban research university.”

The 2020 Schul Forum, scheduled for the fall, will focus on research related to economic mobility, a high-priority issue for the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Watch the Urban Institute’s website, ui.uncc.edu, for information as it becomes available.

Susan Messina is director of news and information for University Communications and editor of this publication.

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Take-away: Lessons from Carolina’s Urban-Rural Connections Jeff Michael, director of the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, and Bill Graves, associate professor and a J.H. Biggs Faculty Fellow in the Department of Geology & Earth Sciences, co-principal investigators for the Carolinas Urban-Rural Connection project, shared primary findings from their research at the inaugural Schul Forum.

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Despite our differences, we face similar challenges across the urban-rural landscape.

Urban and rural counties face similar rates of households that can’t afford housing. Cross-county commuting has increased 167 percent since 2002, increasing traffic everywhere. And farmland is being lost to sprawl.

These are regional challenges that no county, town or city can face alone.

Regional solutions are needed along with new ways of funding them.

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Inclusive, committed, long-term leadership matters.

Many towns are finding success, despite growing anxieties about the loss of young talent and homegrown businesses. In these communities, longterm, committed leadership champions the community over time, often for decades; yet new leaders and ideas are embraced to replace talent lost to forces beyond their control—a combination that seems to be key to success.

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Communities are finding success by turning to and developing their own assets, such as heritage, natural and cultural resources.

Successful communities realize that new industrial employment options will not replace jobs and identities that vanished with the mills.

They’re developing place-based strategies that rely on local resources to rebrand and offer reasons to visit or live there. In Shelby, music is driving revitalization; and the towns of Cramerton, Great Falls, S.C., and Badin are capitalizing on locations near rivers and lakes for tourism.

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As communities find their own identities and build on local resources, connections to Charlotte are key.

Individual municipal efforts aren’t enough to fuel economic renewal; they must draw visitors from the region, especially its urban center.

Charlotte and nearby counties provide a source for visitors and a market for goods, such as those of a complex and specialized regional food system. The region’s urban core is a source of philanthropy and expertise, as demonstrated in Rockingham, where a collaboration with Discovery Place and The Foundation For The Carolinas led to a new children’s museum and spurred downtown revitalization.

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Economic development is no longer about “buffalo-hunting”—but rather building up local resources and workforce.

Economic developers talk about the next “buffalo”: a single, big employer with hundreds or thousands of jobs. The South can no longer count on low labor and land costs to draw employers. Many communities are embracing a new mindset about economic development, and investing resources in education, workforce training and developing entrepreneurship. This approach—making a community more desirable instead of relying on tax incentives and low cost—offers different path forward.

To read more about the project, visit ui.uncc.edu/carolinas-urban-rural-connection-0.

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GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION IN 2020

5

ways you can be connected

UNC Charlotte Alumni

1.

Attend events such as Homecoming and AlumNiner Weekend

@49erAlumni

2.

Connect with a regional network or affinity group

@49erAlumni

3.

Claim your alumni email address

UNC Charlotte Alumni

4.

Join the UNC Charlotte Virtual Alumni Book Club

5.

Hire a Niner

UNC Charlotte Alumni Association

Save the Date for AlumNiner Weekend

April 24-25 > Alumni Awards Luncheon > Green Tie Gala > Half-Century Society

For more information visit

49erAlumni.uncc.edu

> UNC Charlotte Alumni Association

| 49erAlumni@uncc.edu | 704-687-7799 | 800-745-8622

Alumni Association

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Kat Lawrence

A COMPUTING REVOLUTION:

CCI at 20

Data Science

BY MIKE FRESINA

In January 2020, in collaboration with UNC Charlotte’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Health and Human Services and the William States Lee College of Engineering, CCI co-launched the School of Data Science (SDS), the first in the Carolinas. SDS will tap into the region’s research, industry and community engagement expertise to revolutionize the education and application of data science. See page 11.

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n 2000, UNC Charlotte established the College of Computing and Informatics (CCI) to address and get ahead of the dynamic needs being created by the everincreasing presence—and dominance—of technology, not only in higher education but in the everyday sightlines of those working in the business, government and nonprofit worlds.

Spun from the William States Lee College of Engineering, CCI opened its doors with an initial enrollment of approximately 700 students. Today, with 2,320 undergraduate and 900 graduate students, CCI is the fastest-growing college in the UNC System—and delivers the largest computer

science program in North Carolina.

“In its first 20 years, CCI distinguished itself through its agility, responsiveness to the times and willingness to be bold and experimental,” said Fatma Mili, CCI’s dean.

“Our founders made a strategic bet and it paid off.”

Now an established leader in high-tech education, CCI operates three departments that offer bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs: Bioinformatics and Genomics (BiG), Computer Science (CS) and Software and Information Systems (SIS). Through its programs, CCI expresses its longstanding commitment to access, equity and inclusivity, principles responsible for shaping the college’s time-earned reputation as:

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A n emerging research powerhouse.

Averaging more than $10 million annually in research funding, which accounts for 20 percent of total UNC Charlotte research funding, CCI’s grants come from a variety of sources, most notably the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and Department of Defense.

A notable producer of high-quality workforce talent. With approximately 70 percent of CCI graduates—consistent with UNC Charlotte’s entire alumni base—living and working in the region, the number of qualified high tech CCI leaders across the Piedmont and beyond grows in concert with the College’s enrollment.

A cultivator of diverse students and graduates. Currently, CCI ranks first in North Carolina for female and Hispanic

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computer science graduates, and second for African American graduates.

Equally important are more than 500 first-generation college graduates in its alumni base.

Mili, who was named CCI’s dean in 2017, acknowledges the values on which the college was founded, and the leadership of her predecessors. Founding dean Mirsad Hadzikadic remains a member of the CCI faculty, even after a 2018 run for the presidency of his native Bosnia-Herzegovina.

He was followed by Yi Deng, now dean of Drexel University’s College of Computing and Informatics.

“The next two decades will be drastically different in what we teach, the research we produce, and how we are organized,” said Mili. “But not in who we are. Qualities intrinsic to the program: foresight, courage in action, and fearlessness in caring will always characterize CCI.”

Guiding Force: CCI’s Mission and Values The College of Computing and Informatics mission and values have set its standards for planning and goal setting since its founding in 2000: We are committed to the betterment of society. We accomplish this through:

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Cultivating an inclusive culture dedicated to student success and equity in education

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Stimulating innovative highrisk, high-impact research and development

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Maintaining a resilient and ethical society of educated, caring citizens

We are driven by our guiding values:

Kat Lawrence

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Acknowledge inequity and do everything in our power to address it

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ake responsibility for the ethical T implications of technology in everything we do

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Value community and the wellbeing and sense of worth of all members

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BiG: CCI’s Little Giant B

y traditional metrics, the Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics (BiG) in the College of Computing and Informatics (CCI) is among UNC Charlotte’s smallest departments.

Despite is size, it’s influence and impact are notable— and noticeable. Offering doctoral and master’s degrees as well as certificate and undergraduate minors and concentrations, BiG graduates fewer than 20 students each year. Even so, it has generated more than $16 million in research grants since 2015 and is consistently ranked among the nation’s top programs.

The launch of CCI’s Bioinformatics program coincided with the 2000 wrap-up of the $3 billion Human Genome Project, a multiyear, international scientific research effort that set out to determine the base pairs that make up human DNA, and identify and map all the genes of the human genome from both a physical and a functional standpoint. The project signaled the beginning of a new quantitative era of biology, in which mathematics, statistics and

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high-performance computing would become essential tools for solving important problems in the life sciences.

Bioinformatics at UNC Charlotte began in 2004 with a day-long workshop of stakeholders. Shortly thereafter, then-Chancellor James H. Woodward obtained $35 million from the North Carolina legislature for the Bioinformatics Building, which was completed in 2009. At that point, enough faculty had been recruited to form the Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics within CCI.

Tackling computational microbial genomics

BiG’s newest initiative is in computational microbial genomics, which aims to apply computational analysis to help scientists better understand how the millions of microbes humans encounter interact with us and the environment. Some of these microbes, most of which are completely unknown to science, are critical for our existence, helping plants grow, regulating the carbon cycle, aiding food digestion in people and animals, and other beneficial functions such as eliminating waste from ecosystems.

“A deeper understanding of our microbial neighbors through molecular sequencing and bioinformatics is increasing our understanding of personal, public and ecosystem health,” said Dan Janies, Carol Grotnes Belk Distinguished Professor of Bioinformatics and Genomics. “With bioinformatics computing we are seeing new connections between these fields, for example in diseases emerging from animals to humans. Identification of the sources of new disease are among the first steps to stopping outbreaks and future emergence.”

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Kat Lawrence

CCI’s annual cybersecurity conference is regarded as an industry staple. 2019 marked its 20th year.

Cybersecurity Forerunner T wo decades ago—before “cybersecurity” had entered the public lexicon—UNC Charlotte leaders who established the College of Computing and Informatics had the foresight to embrace information security as an academic concentration.

“CCI now has more than 300 cybersecurity majors,” said Bill Chu, professor of software and information systems, one of the program’s founders. “That is beyond my wildest imagination, even as recently as a couple of years ago; I am extremely grateful for the people who helped us envision and launch this thing.”

Started by a small group of industry and academia representatives in a classroom at the Mint Museum of Craft and Design, CCI’s Cybersecurity program has grown to become regarded as one of the UNC Charlotte’s most influential academic concentrations.

“Back in 2000, when we talked about security, we were referencing viruses such as Slammer, Code Red and Nimda, thinking it was the worst thing that could happen,” said

Tom Bartolomeo, head of cybersecurity and defense for Wells Fargo, who has been affiliated with CCI since its inception. “Here we are, 20 years later, battling nation states, cyber criminals and sophisticated denial-of-service attacks. We need the private and public sectors to come together with academia in a collaborative effort not only to develop the best technology, but also the brightest minds. That is the strength of CCI’s cybersecurity program.”

Cultivation of cybersecurity talent, in addition to conducting cutting-edge research, is allowing CCI to meet the workforce needs of a rapidly growing industry. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, job growth in cybersecurity is expected to exceed 30 percent in the next decade, more vigorous than the average in almost every other industry. According to Cybercrime magazine (Oct. 2019), North Carolina is one of the top five U.S. states for cybersecurity jobs. With demand high— currently more than 300,000 related jobs

nationwide are unfilled—median salaries are expected to exceed $100,000 by 2021.

Marking its 20th anniversary alongside CCI is the college’s annual cybersecurity symposium. Held each October on campus, the symposium is the region’s top conference of its kind. Always sold out, it draws more than 600 cybersecurity professionals and students from around the globe to discuss threats and mitigation techniques with highly sought after speakers and information-rich breakout sessions. In addition, it serves as a recruiting event that provides students access to—and opportunity to interact with— professionals in the field.

“It is not a tradeshow, which is one of the most interesting things about the symposium,” said Matthew Snyder, chief technologist for Booz Allen Hamilton. “[At UNC Charlotte] we are interacting with the next generation of security professionals, which is exceedingly valuable to help us grow and keep our eye on the ball.”

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‘Gaming’ the System:

Evie Powell pushes boundaries responsibly

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f doing something one loves means never working a single day, Evie Powell ‘07, ‘09, ‘12, is well on her way to a “work-free” life. Powell, whose three degrees are from UNC Charlotte’s College of Computing and Informatics (CCI), has taken a passion for video games and cultivated a uniquely creative and successful career.

“Like most kids, I played puzzle, combat and shooter games,” explained the Charlotte native and Olympic High School graduate.

“To me, game developers were like NBA AllStars to a kid who plays basketball. They were the heroes of my hobby.”

By 2012—still shy of her 30th birthday— Powell had earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in computer science as well as a doctorate in computing and information systems. She set off for Seattle to accept a job as a virtual reality engineer for Proprio, a computational imaging company that provides enhanced visualization systems for brain surgery and other precision tasks.

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studio from a shared innovation hub at the University of Washington.

“The goal is to push the boundaries of what we expect from game play,” she explained. “At Verge, we try for meaning deeper than pure entertainment.”

Focused on atypical game designs, VoB is exploring pervasive design and context-aware gaming—and their challenges, including players’ ability to virtually experience the game they’re playing in a lifelike environment in real time. Powell believes pervasive game play is a viable means to learning about the implications of ubiquitous computing.

“For someone to engage in a game with no boundaries, a designer has to think critically about when and where a person could be playing. A rooftop? A busy street?

Considerations have to be made for what else they could be doing as they engage, and the level of attention required. To not do so would make the game socially unacceptable at best; outright dangerous at worst.”

At VoB, Powell is free to focus on ethical and socially responsible game design, a concept woven through CCI’s curriculum.

In fact, ethical computing is something that

Fatma Mili, CCI’s dean, makes central to the college’s overall culture.

“For 20 years, CCI has cherished the curiosity of its students,” Mili said. “Our faculty and staff work with them to further cultivating this curiosity so it can become their most important professional and social asset. By refining their curiosity, focusing it and honing it on what matters, on who matters, they emerge responsible, as caring professionals and citizens who see opportunities, care about their world, and act on it.”

“This notion is beginning to take hold in the industry,” said Powell. “Mass-market do-over games, especially when they’re re-released only to push enhanced graphics or faster speeds, but lack meaningful content, are discouraged. For me, personally, it’s important to pay attention to how female characters are presented.”

CCI provides a launchpad

Powell’s journey to UNC Charlotte was simple, but not entirely her own. “Because I wasn’t yet 18 when I left for college, my mom didn’t want me to go far away.”

Once enrolled at UNC Charlotte, Powell began training to become one of the gamedeveloper stars of her youth.

“Intro to Games withTiffany Barnes, a former CCI faculty member, provided my first real exposure to the development tools of gaming,” she said. “The opportunity to contribute, even as an undergrad, to gaming research eventually led to my decision to remain at UNC Charlotte for a Ph.D.” Specifically, it is CCI’s Games + Learning Lab, where Powell conducted games research, that shaped her commitment to continuing her education and the exploration of more meaningful play. “I started out making education-game content that was used in introductory computer science classes and tried to measure learning gains. Once I discovered I really liked that kind of research, the transition from undergraduate to doctoral student was easy. Ultimately, the most important thing I learned at UNC Charlotte is how to learn and how to seek information; once someone possesses those empowering abilities, they can start expecting and demanding more from the world around them.”

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CCI Wisdom: Dean Mili answers a few questions Why was it important 20 years ago for UNC Charlotte to establish the College of Computing and Informatics?

At the start of the new millennium, computing at UNC Charlotte was ready to separate from the College of Engineering to become a force of impact and innovation in the region and across the nation. This could not have happened without launching a new college to stand on its own and chart its own identity and mission.

When you arrived in 2017, what stood out in regard to CCI’s strengths and reputation?

Clearly, CCI attracts and retains great people, and does not shy away from trying things that no one else has tried.

To that point, what is CCI’s greatest strength?

CCI’s mission is one of access and excellence in both teaching and research.

Our faculty, staff and students are as committed to innovation as they are to equity and social responsibility.

CCI demonstrates every day that upholding these this is possible and infinitely rewarding.

What initiatives are key to CCI’s continued growth?

At the undergraduate level, the Integrated Critical Core (ICC), a unit devoted to addressing the needs and ensuring the success of our students during their first two years, is essential to maintaining their ability to persist through graduation. In addition, graduate education is being repositioned so that CCI is able to be a lifelong partner that supports alumni through professional transitions, including the knowledge upgrades they are likely to need over the course of their professional lives.

In your opinion, what really matters to modern computer science education?

As technical innovation continues its infiltration into all aspects of our lives,

Kat Lawrence

Fatma Mili joined UNC Charlotte in 2017 as CCI’s dean.

we must address the ethical and social implications of the things we design, produce and integrate with, and maintain.

What is on the horizon for CCI at UNC Charlotte?

CCI will continue to strive to be the best college it can be for every student

and member of our faculty and staff.

This is who CCI is—and it cannot be driven by concerns for external metrics and perceptions.

Mike Fresina is director of communications for the College of Computing and Informatics.

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Kat Lawrence

Brighthouse Scholarship recipient Barbara Saboe recently transferred to UNC Charlotte from Central Piedmont Community College. Her goal—after earning a degree in cybersecurity—is entrepreneurship.

Scholarships help deserving CCI students secure a bright future

BY JENNIFER HOWE

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riven by a mission to help people achieve financial security, Brighthouse Financial expressed a desire to support undergraduate students from the College of Computing and Informatics at UNC Charlotte. Working with college administrators, the Charlottebased corporation made a generous gift to EXPONENTIAL: The Campaign for UNC Charlotte to create the Brighthouse Financial Student Scholars program.

“The Brighthouse Financial Foundation is pleased to support a scholarship fund to help recruit and retain underserved students in the College of Computing and Informatics at UNC Charlotte,” said Brighthouse Financial Foundation President Theresa Foust. “The scholarship 28 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine

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fund aligns with our mission to provide support and resources to historically underserved populations, and allows deserving students the opportunity to not only continue their education but achieve lifelong dreams. We are honored to help ease the financial burden so the students can focus on accomplishing their goals.”

The renewable scholarships, awarded for the first time in fall 2019, are given to select students who meet specific eligibility requirements. Candidates must be undergraduate students majoring in computer science, from the Charlotte area, and have both a demonstrated financial need and a history of academic excellence.

Preference is given to students from populations historically underrepresented at UNC Charlotte. As part of their scholarship agreements, scholarship

recipients participate in regional outreach activities, such as high school recruitment events, to help promote the computer science program and the University.

The Brighthouse Financial scholarships awarded last fall already are making an impact on the lives of their recipients.

Steps toward entrepreneurship

Barbara Saboe could not have completed her first semester successfully at UNC Charlotte without the Brighthouse Financial Scholarship. The mother of three was faced with having to choose between paying for rent and insurance or buying school supplies for her children, ages 14, 12 and 6.

“The Brighthouse Financial Scholarship came just in time to save me from having to make that difficult decision,” said Saboe.

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Pao Xiong realized early that an education was the path to a successful future – for him and his family. Focusing on software development, Xiong aims to use computer science to achieve his dreams and help others.

A single mom and full-time inside sales representative with Brown and Morrison, Ltd, Saboe transferred to UNC Charlotte after completing an associate degree at Central Piedmont Community College in 2018.

“The associate degree is helpful on my resume, but it wasn’t going to get me where I need to be financially,” Saboe said.

“I knew that to get anywhere, I’d have to complete a bachelor’s degree, ideally at a significant and renowned school.”

A former resident and board member of Catherine’s House, a transitional shelter for women and children who are homeless, Saboe aspires to pursue a career in cybersecurity and use her experience overcoming obstacles to start her own company.

“I want very much to make a difference and help other struggling single mothers, just as so many have helped me,” she said. “No one gets to where they are going alone.”

Motivated to succeed

Pao Xiong also possesses a drive to succeed. Xiong spent the first five years of his life in a refugee camp in Thailand with his parents, displaced during the Vietnam War from Laos, and his 10 siblings. He suffered from malnutrition and a lack of educational opportunities, but always had hope. When his family was able to relocate to the United States, Xiong started attending school.

“I was well aware that education was going to be my way out of poverty, and the only way to eventually provide for my hardworking parents,” said Xiong.

“This caused me to excel academically, achieving straight As from fourth grade until I graduated as valedictorian of West Mecklenburg High School in 2019.”

He arrived at UNC Charlotte last fall, ready to start his freshman year with 32 college credits: 18 through Advanced Placement courses and 14 through dual

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Kat Lawrence

enrollment in early college at Central Piedmont Community College. As a Brighthouse Financial scholar, Xiong is able to focus completely focus on his education, which includes a concentration in software development.

“Being a Brighthouse Financial Scholar has blessed me with the opportunity to have more time to dig deep into code and the resources to open countless possibilities for myself and others,” said Xiong. “I want to use the field of computer science as a way to carry out my dreams and aid those who are unable to live their dreams due to uncontrollable factors.”

Barbara Saboe and Pao Xiong are two of five inaugural Brighthouse Financial Scholars. For more information about the scholarship or to apply, visit ninercentral.uncc.edu.

Jennifer Howe is director of advancement communications for University Communications.

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Ryan Honeyman

At a news conference at UNC Charlotte Center City, Derek Wang ‘11, Ph.D., founder of Stratifyd, one of Charlotte’s fastest-growing tech firms, announced the AI leader will open space in the FreeMoreWest neighborhood and add 200 jobs.

ANALYZING ALUMNI SUCCESS:

The Data on Derek Wang

Straight answers from Derek Wang

BY JONNELLE DAVIS

Why is UNC Charlotte special to you?

NC Charlotte, originally a landing pad for Beijing native Derek Chang ‘11, Ph.D., recently served as a launching pad for his new venture. A computer science doctoral student who later joined the College of Computing and Informatics (CCI) as a member of the faculty, Wang has transformed into a celebrated entrepreneur who started his data analytics firm, Stratifyd, using what he learned from his UNC Charlotte experience.

Now, Wang is looking to help other students in the field to find their footing. He announced late last year that Stratifyd will add at least 200 jobs and relocate to a 30,000-square-foot facility in Charlotte’s FreeMoreWest neighborhood. Wang started the artificial intelligence (AI) powered customer data analytics company in 2015 with two students, Li Yu ’12 Ph.D., and Thomas Kraft, as government-funded research on ways artificial intelligence might ingest, analyze and visualize structured and unstructured data. They applied their post-doctoral work in this area to build Stratifyd.

Today, Stratifyd provides customer analytics to companies around the world using the AI platform, giving businesses important data they can use to adapt their marketing techniques, improve their services and increase revenue.

Wang applied to doctoral programs in 2005 and received offers from institutions along the east and west coasts; his offer letter from UNC Charlotte arrived while at home in Beijing, China. Excited but a little confused about Charlotte’s location, he and his father searched Wikipedia for the answer. Today, Wang is comfortable in a city once unfamiliar to him, and works from an office near uptown Charlotte, where he runs Stratifyd.

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“Charlotte was my first landing pad in the United States. And that’s special to any person when they start a new journey, especially across the continents to look into a new world. So it’s almost like home for me.”

From your perspective as a former CCI professor, how does the college prepare students for real-world experiences?

Wang recalled working with his advisor, the late Bill Ribarsky and CCI’s former dean, Yi Deng, at the time they started crafting programs around data science and business analytics.

“We started thinking about the upcoming needs of the workforce, where there exists a horizontal understanding of multidisciplinary knowledge. With the long-term vision—starting about 7 years ago—of our chancellor, deans, and department chairs, both from CCI and the Belk School of Business, UNC Charlotte has been preparing students for the future workforce in an effective way.

That work is coming to fruition given the student growth rate as well as the programs that have been deployed.”

How is UNC Charlotte making an impact?

Addressing questions from colleagues outside the Southeast about the presence of a regional “talent drought,” Wang tells them UNC Charlotte and the College of Computing and Informatics have eliminated that concern.

“I’m proud to say, ‘No,’ to whether there is a need for qualified computing professionals because of UNC Charlotte’s student body of nearly 30,000. That’s a huge advantage for a community in terms of talent, especially technology talent. UNC Charlotte— along with other nearby colleges and universities—plays an important role in making a positive impact on the workforce, not just in the city, but truly across the region.”

At what point in your career did you know you wanted to start your own business?

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Wang regards the work he did as a doctoral student at UNC Charlotte as a “solid step forward” in his aspirations to become an entrepreneur, particularly with CCI’s supportive professors who encouraged students to be innovative.

“My journey to start a company was inspired by writing grant proposals and working with Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense—as well as learning through different faculty members to convert research ideas into deliverables for our commercial partners to leverage. And that’s a true inspiration for me, to discover, ‘Hey, I have a great kind of drive and motivation to do something outside the academic setting.’”

What advice would you give students who are just starting their journey at UNC Charlotte?

Wang doesn’t give general advice to students because they come from various backgrounds, and have different career paths and personalities. But he does encourage undergraduate and graduate students to take ownership of everything they do— and be very disciplined.

“Echoing the slogan of the Carolina Panthers, keep pounding. That’s actually a lifestyle. And I see where it benefited me as a doctoral student. Just keep at that. Keep working hard. But fit that into your own background and journey.”

In general, do people understand what artificial intelligence is?

Wang acknowledges the negative connotation surrounding artificial intelligence because of the perception that it might eliminate jobs. The point, he says, is to make sure AI sounds human, because it’s really about humans leveraging a tool.

“It’s about delivering something tangible that you can put your hands on. Frankly, that’s what makes what we’re doing a human business. We help you be more efficient.”

To learn more about Derek Wang and Stratifyd, visit stratifyd.com.

Jonnelle Davis is coordinator for advancement communications, University Communications.

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University Recreation Center officially opens its doors Since opening on Jan. 8, the University Recreation Center (UREC)—UNC Charlotte’s new facility dedicated solely to health, recreation and wellness—has welcomed an average of 3,000 students, faculty and staff members daily. The 148,000-square-foot, multi-level building located in the heart of campus answers a need for recreation and fitness space for the University’s growing student population.

“Maintaining personal health is essential for students to be successful in their academic work and for participating in student activities that build the organizational and leadership skills they’ll need for post-graduation success,” said Chancellor Philip L. Dubois at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “UREC offers the entire campus community dedicated fitness and recreation space designed to steer all users toward a lifetime of healthy habits.”

With two pools, multipurpose courts, studios for group fitness, cardio and strength training equipment, and an indoor track with an aerial view of campus, UREC offers an extensive wellness experience for every member of Niner Nation, regardless of their physical ability.

“Without a doubt, UREC enhances the student experience,” said Chandler Crean, student body president. “As a Niner Guide for the Admissions Office, I see the reactions of prospective students when they enter UREC during campus tours. They’re blown away by the facility’s size, the quality of the equipment and everything offered. Some even have commented that it far exceeds recreational facilities at other universities in the region.”

Student Government Association leaders began advocating in 2012 for the construction of a dedicated recreational facility. At that time, University leaders started planning the best approach to structuring student fees to fund design, construction and operation of such a center. (No state appropriations were used for UREC.) The $66 million facility, built to keep pace with the demands of UNC Charlotte’s growing student population, was completed without additional debt fees for students. A modest operational fee, phased in over the past five years, has resulted in a net additional annual recreational fee of $50 for students.

UREC joins a number of capital improvement projects led by Dubois. As chancellor, he has led the largest facility construction and renovation program in UNC Charlotte’s history, exceeding $1.2 billion. For more information about UREC, including memberships, hours of operation and classes, visit urec.uncc.edu Photos by Wade Bruton and Kat Lawrence

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UREC Fast Facts

UREC membership is available to many University constituents, including students, faculty, staff, alumni and others.

Faculty and staff can purchase a UREC membership for $160 per year, which equates to roughly $7 per pay period.

(Full-time, permanent employees are eligible for payroll deduction.)

Alumni registered with the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association PERKS Program (49eralumni.uncc.edu) are eligible for memberships for $160 per year.

Members have access to a variety of programs, services and amenities, including access to all facilities managed by the Department of University Recreation (urec.uncc.edu).

Members have access to personal training services and swim lessons for an additional fee.

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The University Recreation Center features: Two aquatic spaces - An indoor pool with five lanes for lap swimming and open space designed for water activities like logrolling, water basketball and Aquafit, among others. An outdoor leisure pool is planned for relaxation and socialization and water volleyball.

Four multipurpose courts designed for open recreation activities (basketball, volleyball, badminton).

Four levels of dedicated cardio and strength training equipment, including space for high-intensity interval training and powerlifting.

Indoor track - six laps equal one mile with changing elevations designed for running or walking. It opens to a functional training space with indoor turf.

Five multipurpose studios for group fitness, small group training, sport clubs and special events. The are designed to accommodate fitness class formats popular with patrons: Zumba, TRX, Barre, plus many more. One studio is a cycling space, with a class capacity of 35. The 5th-level studio is planned as a “Mind and Body� space for optional warmer than usual temperatures.

Teaching kitchen to host demonstrations designed to showcase healthy eating workshops through collaborations with campus partners.

Outdoor court space - includes two controlled-access outdoor court spaces for basketball and sand volleyball.

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Wade Bruton

An agreement between UNC Charlotte and Central Piedmont Community College provides a seamless transition for students in 49er Next, as they enroll at the University after earning an associate degree. 49er Next was signed into action last fall by the two institutions’ leaders, Kandi Deitemyer and Philip L. Dubois, at a news conference at UNC Charlotte Center City. Several other North Carolina community colleges have expressed interest in becoming 49er Next partners.

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BY PHILLIP BROWN

“We recognize the importance of a college degree for jobs of the future and want every student to finish what they start. As a public university committed to access and equity, UNC Charlotte wants to do its part to lessen the student debt burden by ensuring our University’s processes do not impede students from moving toward timely completion of their degrees.”

Joan Lorden, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs With more U.S. jobs shifting to workers with at least a bachelor’s degree—in an environment where only 33 percent of American workers hold a bachelor’s degree or higher—UNC Charlotte is committed to providing access to higher education to all deserving students so they can thrive in the current “college economy.”

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Since 2011, the University has focused on creating and implementing a multipronged approach to increase student retention and degree completion among undergraduates.

For significantly moving the needle, UNC Charlotte has been recognized by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) with the organization’s 2019 Degree Completion Award.

“UNC Charlotte has implemented a continuous improvement process to build on these (degree completion) gains,” said APLU President Peter McPherson. “Their investment in student-centered transformation has produced sizable gains across all student subgroups in retention and graduation rates.

We’re thrilled to spotlight their team’s work so other institutions can learn from it.”

Innovative Approach: The 49er Graduation Initiative

The University recognizes barriers to degree completion that many students face. A group that grapples with a variety of obstacles are those who are first in their families to attend college. At UNC Charlotte, more than 40 percent of the student body are firstgeneration college students; in addition, the number of students eligible to receive Pell grants is the highest in the UNC System.

In 2011, to help students address challenges related to these identifiers, University leaders created the 49er Graduation Initiative, a campus-wide planning effort that engages students as active agents in their success while providing needed support. Results to date are impressive; the 49er Graduation Initiative’s programs are providing an effective model for improving student success.

UNC Charlotte’s six-year graduation rate, a universally recognized higher education metric, is 10 percent higher than it was in 2007. More important, the four-year graduation rate has increased from around 26 percent in 2000 to 43 percent for the institution’s current cohort, nearly 10 percent higher than the national average for public universities. Most significant for students is an overall five percent reduction in student debt upon graduation.

Prospect for Success

The initiative began with Prospect for Success, which guides first-year students through a planning process for timely

Wade Bruton

graduation. More than 90 percent of new freshman students participate during their first semester, setting realistic goals to graduate in four years. The curriculum is designed to help students effectively interact with college-level inquiry by developing questions, exploring context, conducting research and presenting conclusions. Curricular design also helps them gain greater cultural awareness of themselves and their peers.

Second, proactive advising flags students who fail to meet specific success markers.

Using innovative technology, academic

Jon Venable, the 1,000th graduate of 49er Finish, was recognized at Fall Commencement. He returned to UNC Charlotte to finish a bachelor’s degree in geology 20 years after leaving the University with only a few credits left to complete.

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Wade Bruton

UNC Charlotte’s efforts to improve student retention and provide pathways to degree completion are regarded as models for others to emulate. Chancellor Philip L. Dubois, Dean of University College John Smail, Provost Joan Lorden and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Kevin Bailey accepted the APLU 2019 Degree Completion Award, presented by APLU President Peter McPherson.

advisors identify students with emerging indications of academic risk and help them realign with their stated graduation goals.

Two interventions occur each semester, so advisors can help students in this category explore academic support options or alternative majors.

The third prong—graduation metrics— began with developing standardized datasets that count students enrolled in any given major as juniors, and tracks their graduation across the next eight semesters. Using this data, starting with the 2016-17 academic year, colleges and academic departments are able to develop initiatives that mitigate graduation completion barriers. For example, in colleges with particularly competitive programs, leaders can explore changes to prerequisite 38 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine

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sequences that create unnecessary hurdles or change semester schedules to offer critical progression courses year-round.

Lorden stated, “We have accomplished these gains (in graduation rates) during a period of rapid enrollment growth; based upon what we have learned, we believe we can continue to improve graduation outcomes.”

Contributing to UNC Charlotte’s 17 percent increase in four-year graduation rates are one-year student retention rates that continue to grow year-over-year. Data suggests that these improvements will continue for students in the college pipeline.

What’s next? 49erNext

Transfer students represent about 50 percent of UNC Charlotte’s undergraduate

population. In fact, their numbers are the highest in the UNC System.

Last fall, the University launched 49er Next, a program that creates a seamless pathway to UNC Charlotte for students enrolled at a participating community college. Charlotte’s Central Piedmont Community College hosts the inaugural program; within the next year, it is projected to expand to several other North Carolina community colleges.

While at Central Piedmont, students enrolled in 49er Next will have access to UNC Charlotte support services such as financial aid and career planning; other student privileges including admission to select 49ers athletics events and other campus events; and a discounted CATS all-access light rail and bus

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pass. These are in place so students are familiar with the campus and its operations when they arrive as juniors.

“This partnership with Central Piedmont will ensure UNC Charlotte is meeting students’ academic, financial aid and career planning needs while making the transfer experience as smooth as possible,” said UNC Charlotte Chancellor Philip L. Dubois.

“49erNext is designed to produce a greater number of workforce-ready, qualified graduates at a significant cost savings to them. Nearly 60 percent of the inaugural class of 49erNext participants represent underrepresented populations, which is significant given that higher education is an essential path that can lead to greater economic mobility.”

Elli Pineda is a member of the inaugural class of 49erNext students.The first in his family to earn a high school diploma, the Garinger High School graduate struggled to maintain his grades as a freshman. Eventually deciding as he describes to “to take control of my future,” Pineda enrolled in his high school ROTC program. He discovered a passion for computers, improved his grades and for the first time saw college as a real possibility. An Opportunity Scholar at Central Piedmont, Pineda is working toward an associate degree.

“The 49erNext program is a perfect fit for me; it will allow me to explore UNC Charlotte in a different way than most Central Piedmont students--and I can hang out with my friends who are already on campus,” he said.

Central Piedmont and UNC Charlotte have agreed to make collective institutional decisions and implement policies and processes that: • Put students first, enabling them to earn a quality degree in a timely manner • Foster success, ensuring and expecting all students to achieve their full potential • Ensure equity, guaranteeing that all students, regardless of gender, race, income or family educational history, have equal opportunity

Once a Niner, Always a Niner: 49er Finish

UNC Charlotte’s nationally awardwinning 49er Finish program works with undergraduates who stopped short of completing their degrees to encourage them to return and cross the finish line. The program,

which is administered by the Office of Adult Students and Evening Services (OASES), launched its concierge approach of service and support in fall 2005. Its fundamental purpose is to reach out to senior-level students who left the University prior to graduating and help make degree completion a reality for them.

Recently, the program celebrated a major milestone by recording its 1,000th graduate. Jon Venable crossed the stage at Fall Commencement, where he accepted a bachelor’s degree in geology, completing what he started more than 20 years ago.

Venable left UNC Charlotte in August 1998 just four credit hours shy of finishing.

He quit, married his college sweetheart and began full-time work with Carpenter Company. About two years ago, after a divorce and the death of his mother, Venable was ready to make a change. Responding to communication he’d received from UNC Charlotte about 49er Finish--and at the urging of his fiancée, Michelle—he decided to enroll.

“After calling the University to find out about the program, Michelle said, ‘You’re going to do this and I am going to make sure.’”

Debbie Smith, associate director of operations/director of advising for OASES, said, “Jon needed information about the number of remaining courses, costs and availability before completing a readmit application. Finding options for students who have been out for 20 years requires additional research and advising assistance from academic departments. The Geography and Earth Sciences Department responded amazingly fast, motivating Jon to move forward.”

Venable knows a college degree is necessary for careers of the future. It’s a message he is sharing with his children.

“I tell them that the time they invest in their studies now will pay dividends later,” he said. “My mom always wanted me to finish; I wish she could have been here to see it.”

OASES staff and advisors continue to seek out students who left short of completing degrees.

“We are serious about wanting our students to finish,” said Smith. “You are still a 49er and an important part of campus.”

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“WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THESE GAINS (IN GRADUATION RATES) DURING A PERIOD OF RAPID ENROLLMENT GROWTH; BASED UPON WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED, WE BELIEVE WE CAN CONTINUE TO IMPROVE GRADUATION OUTCOMES.” —J OAN LO RD E N, P ROVOST AN D VI C E C H ANCE LLO R FO R ACAD E M I C AF FAI RS

Phillip Brown is assistant director of internal communications in the UNC Charlotte Office of University Communications and associate editor of this publication.

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REMEMBRANCE CONCERT

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UNITED A Remembrance Concert evokes art’s healing power

BY JARED MOON

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o mark the first anniversary of the campus shooting that took place last year on April 30, UNC Charlotte will host a Day of Remembrance. On Thursday, April 30, 2020, events on campus will honor the lives of the students who died and the sacrifices of those injured. In addition, a commemorative concert, UNITED: A Remembrance Concert, conceived

by Chancellor Philip L. Dubois and developed collaboratively by members of the campus community and Charlotte’s performing arts community, will be presented at 7:30 p.m., at Belk Theater, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in uptown Charlotte.

“There exists no universal way to move forward after trauma,” said Dubois. “We believe, however, that students, faculty and staff, and the greater Charlotte community, which has demonstrated time and again its generous love and support for UNC Charlotte, can continue to recover by remembering and reflecting upon such a tragic day.

Our hope is that this concert serves as a unifying celebration of community, guided by remembrance, resilience and resurgence.”

The program, under the direction of Lynne Conner, chair of the Department of Theatre, will feature artists from the community and

Don Dahler ‘91

UNC Charlotte in a variety of music, dance and multimedia performances. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Christopher Warren-Green, will perform an original composition by the Department of Music’s John Allemeier. The Charlotte-based band Water from Fire, whose members include three UNC Charlotte alumni, will play favorite songs of Riley Howell and Reed Parlier, the students who perished on April 30. The evening’s host is CBS News Correspondent Don Dahler, who graduated from UNC Charlotte in 1991.

“The mark of a strong community isn’t that it suffers needless, tragic deaths, but how it responds to them; that’s why I wanted to come back to UNC Charlotte for the Remembrance Concert,” said Dahler. The professor and students and alumni have decided to honor the courage exhibited that day, and the outpouring of love and care in the days and months and soon to be year afterwards. I am proud to be a part of the UNC Charlotte family and want to be a part of this important evening.”

On the following pages, participating faculty members and students, alumni and other artists share their thoughts about their opportunity to convey the healing power of art through UNITED: A Remembrance Concert.

UNITED: A Remembrance Concert Belk Theater at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 30, 2020 Tickets: blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/united-a-remembrance-concert All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the April 30 Remembrance Fund.

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Kat Lawrence

Lynne Conner Chair, Department of Theatre Artistic Director, UNITED: A Remembrance Concert

“Through my work as the artistic director, I feel that I’m in a meaningful conversation, literally and figuratively, with the UNC Charlotte community.

It’s important to me that we are one community trying to make sense of what happened, moving forward together even as we process in our own ways. I’m hoping the concert on April 30 will be the ultimate expression of community.

There have been moments in this process that have been really hard emotionally, of course, but I’m honored to serve the community in this role.”

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Ryan Honeyman

John Allemeier Professor of Composition Composer of new music to be performed by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

“As I composed the piece for the concert, I reflected on my own experience from last spring in an effort to build connections with the community’s shared experience. In creating a piece of art intended to provide a path forward emotionally, I tried in earnest to capture the emotional soul of a community working to heal.”

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Melinda Erikson Dance Student Performing “River,” which expresses the theme of unity

“The events of April 30 affected me deeply, as a human, a mother, and a member of the Charlotte community. It is an honor and a privilege to be included in the April 30 Remembrance Concert, and with that comes responsibility, especially to the families of Reed and Riley. The healing process is challenging; it’s not linear and it’s different from one person to the next. I know art can heal and I hope this piece can provide some level of healing.”

Ryan Honeyman

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Ryan Honeyman

John Woodall ’14 Water from Fire Co-founder of Water from Fire, a band whose members include three UNC Charlotte alumni, which will perform selected favorite songs of Riley Howell and Reed Parlier.

“For me, music has always been a steadying force in my life, constantly providing a source of connection and inspiration. I’ve truly come to realize the healing power of music and its ability to create meaning at times that can otherwise seem meaningless.

My hope for this concert is to pay respect to the families and friends who lost loved ones. I pray we can also provide a sense of inspiration for the families that gives them peace and allows them to remember the absolute best parts of their loved ones.”

Jared Moon ‘12 is features manager for University Communications.

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Give to UNC Charlotte

RECEIVE CASH BACK THE POWER OF PLANNED GIVING With a life-income gift, you make a gift to UNC Charlotte, and we make payments to you or a loved one for life.

Payments are at a fixed rate based on your age (or the age of your beneficiary) when you make your gift.

Your payments will continue unchanged, regardless of how long you live or the state of the economy.

After a lifetime of payments, the remaining funds support UNC Charlotte in accordance with your specific wishes.

Contact the Office of Planned Giving today for an illustration of your payment and tax benefits. > Amy Shehee | Director of Planned Giving 704-687-0301 | ashehee@uncc.edu

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4.7%

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5.8%

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90+

9.0%

Rates set by the American Council on Gift Annuities, effective Jan. 1, 2020.

> Exponential: The Campaign for UNC Charlotte celebrates the dramatic trajectory of growth of our University and our 144,000 alumni. This campaign offers all of us – alumni, business leaders and the University Community – the opportunity to shape a future that is even more exciting than our past.

The power of you makes it possible. Join us.

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Voters across NC elect Niners to public office Several UNC Charlotte alumni elected to public office are serving across “The Old North State.”

“UNC Charlotte is proud that many alumni are called to public service,” said Betty Doster, special assistant to the chancellor for constituent relations. “Across the state, district by district, our graduates are taking on the challenge to run for office and serving their constituents with determination and passion. While they may be from different political parties and have differing philosophical views, they are united in their support of our University.”

Meet the 49ers who are among the newest members of the North Carolina State Senate.

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Alumni and North Carolina senators Mujtaba Mohammed, Vickie Sawyer and Ted Alexander credit their UNC Charlotte experiences for their current interests and professional passions.

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Sen. Ted Alexander ‘82 Republican, District 44, which includes Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties, earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. Sen. Alexander serves on a number of committees important to UNC Charlotte including Appropriations on Education/Higher Education and Pensions and Retirement.

“When I reflect upon my time at UNC Charlotte, I see clearly how it was a transformative time for my personal and professional life. Things I learned and experiences I had remain with me to this day. My life’s story is inextricably linked to UNC Charlotte.”

Ted Alexander, left, and friends from a UNC Charlotte gymnastics class.

H H H H H

Sen. Vickie Sawyer ‘97 Republican, District 34, which includes Iredell and Yadkin counties, completed a bachelor’s degree in special education. The standing and select committees she serves on that have an impact on UNC Charlotte include Commerce and Insurance, Health Care and the Rules Committee. Sen. Sawyer was also named to the National Council of Insurance Legislators and its executive committee.

“UNC Charlotte is an exceptional academic institution; it instilled in me valuable principles that I’ve used personally and professionally. I am proud to be a 49er.”

Vickie Sawyer, third from left, with fellow Chi Omega pledges.

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Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed ‘08 Democrat, District 38 in Mecklenburg County, holds a bachelor’s degree in history. Sen. Mohammed serves on the Judiciary and State and Local Government committees that often deal with university issues.

“I cannot thank my fellow 49ers, both faculty and students, for the memories and world-class education I received at UNC Charlotte. As a public interest attorney and now elected representative, I credit some of the best professors at UNC Charlotte for nurturing my interest in history, politics and government.”

Mujtaba Mohammed speaks at a rally.

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Gold Standard A trip to the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl punctuates a fun (for student-athletes and fans!) and successful fall 49ers athletics season

BY PAUL NOWELL

While it didn’t deliver the storybook finish all Charlotte 49ers fans were hoping for, the 2019 football season was the most successful—and memorable—in program history. After competing in its first-ever bowl game, Charlotte finished the year at 7-6, notably with a home record of 5-1.

On Dec. 20, facing a tough opponent in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl, Head Coach Will Healy’s team attempted a secondhalf comeback—a move that had become a specialty during the regular season—but, ultimately, fell 31-9 to the Buffalo Bulls.

Support for the team in the Bahamas was enthusiastic and strong, as more than 1,000 49ers fans traveled to the game.

Approximately 400 supporters attended a pre-game pep rally, and more than 500 arrived ready for tailgating sponsored by the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association.

Larry and Jean Leonard, both from the class of 1978 and season ticket holders since the inception of 49ers football, experienced “a great sense of 49er energy” starting with their flight from Charlotte to the Bahamas, alongside 40 other UNC Charlotte fans decked out in 49ers gear. The Leonards, who co-own Kings Greenhouse in Matthews, N.C., connected with old friends and made new ones.

“We were proud to be 49ers at the game, and very proud of all the players and coaches,” said Larry. “We’re looking forward to the 2020 football season at UNC Charlotte.”

Houston Helms ‘90, MBA ‘98, who is a member of the University’s Athletics Foundation Board, was en route to Nassau with alumni and others when bad weather prevented their cruise ship from docking.

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“I made it an ambition to find and inform every Charlotte 49er on the cruise and for us to watch it together,” said Helms, determined to cheer on the team even if bouncing around the Cuban coastline.

Among them were Chris Greene, ‘05, and his wife, Elizabeth, who had decided to cruise to the Bahamas for the game and to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

“Word spread to the folks wearing green and gold that the game was accessible on television in a bar area, which we took over,” said Greene.

“We made the best of a bad situation,” he said. “One day, when we’re playing Clemson or Alabama or Ohio State in a bowl game, this story will be fun to tell while tailgating—hopefully, somewhere in the continental U.S.”

How about that Bowl Game?

After trailing 17-0 at halftime, Charlotte scored in the third quarter when quarterback Chris Reynolds hit wide receiver Victor Tucker on a crossing route for a 51-yard touchdown pass. The historic touchdown was not only the 49ers’ first in a bowl game, but Reynolds’ single-season school-record 22nd passing TD of the year.

Earlier in the season, the 49ers staged dramatic second-half comebacks in wins over North Texas, UTEP and Marshall.

In each of those games, Charlotte scored the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.

After a 2-5 start to the season, Charlotte won five in a row, the longest win streak in program history. Although they fell short against Buffalo, there were no losers.

“I told the guys in the locker room this is not the outcome that I expected or wanted,” said Healy. “But these guys have to realize what they’ve accomplished this year. You talk about a group that sat in the locker room the last time this had happened and we were 2-5 at WKU. The next thing you know, the guys responded and led us to playing in an unbelievable bowl game in the Bahamas.”

The team’s 5-3 record in Conference USA was a program best.

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49ers Notebook

Patrick Hogan

Teddy Chaouche

Men’s soccer The 15th-ranked Charlotte 49ers went toe-to-toe with the third-ranked Clemson Tigers (17-2-1) before falling 2-1 in overtime on the road in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 24.

It had been a great run for the 49ers, who ranked in the Top 20 all season— including as high as fifth in September.

Teddy Chaouche, who led the 49ers in goals, assists and points, ranked third in Conference USA with a career-high 23 points.

“I have extreme pride in our program and the players on how we responded,” coach Kevin Langan said following the loss. “Tough way to lose.”

The 49ers finished overall with a 12-4-4 record.

Three members of the team earned United Soccer Coaches Association All-Southeast Region honors. Earning the honors were goalkeeper Elliot Panicco (first-team), midfielder Teddy Chaouche (second-team) and defender Patrick Hogan (second-team).

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Elliot Panicco

Megan Greene

This marks the 12th time in school history that at least three 49ers have earned All-Region honors in the same season. Hogan’s first-time inclusion makes a total of 54 players for the program’s history.

Panicco, Chaouche and Hogan, nationally ranked for the entire season, and played integral roles in advancing the 49ers to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and the championship game of the Conference USA Tournament.

Panicco was voted Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Year while claiming a third Conference USA Golden Glove Award. In addition, he was named first-team All-Conference USA for the second straight season and third-time in his career. He anchored one of the nation’s stingiest defenses as the 49ers ranked among the nation’s leaders in goals against average (0.66) and shutouts (8).

Chaouche, a senior midfielder, ranked third in Conference USA with a career-high 23 points. He finished tied for second in Conference USA with nine assists, and tied for third in Conference USA with a career-high seven goals.

Hogan earned first-team All-Conference USA honors and was named to the Conference USA All-Tournament team for the first time. The junior defender finished second on the team with four goals, including game-winners against UAB and North Florida.

Women’s soccer In the Conference USA Championships Semifinals against top-seeded Florida Atlantic, the No. 4-seeded Charlotte women’s soccer team—facing a 3-0 halftime deficit—scored three unanswered goals in the second half to force overtime.

In the 49ers’ longest match of the season, the Owls scored the winner in the second extra frame for a 4-3 win over the Niners. The 49ers finished the season with a 13-6 record, including a streak of seven straight wins at one point.

“We’re very proud of the season, and how much this team evolved over the course of it,” head coach John Cullen said after the game. “There are a lot of great pieces to build upon and that bodes well for the future.”

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Cross Country The men’s cross country team posted its fourth Top 10 finish in the last four years. Charlotte 49ers senior Alex Cornwell carried the 49ers to their best-ever finish at the 2019 NCAA Southeast Regional meet in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Cornwell earned USTFCCCA all-Southeast Region honors with his 10th-place finish to lead the 49ers into fifth place, beating Charlotte’s previous-best finish in the (6th place) in 2017.

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Cornwell posted a time of 30:12.6, the fifth-fastest 10K time in school history. Redshirt junior Paul Arredondo placed 32nd with a time of 30:51.3, while freshman Nick Scudder finished 35th (30:55.5). Senior Zach Marchinko (48th; 31:13.2) and redshirt freshman Daniel Vo (71st; 31:44.0) rounded out the 49ers’ scoring.

The women’s team matched its best finish since 2011 with a 14th-place showing among 34 teams.

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Ashley Fowler

Women’s Golf In only its second year, the Charlotte women’s golf team put up strong numbers in fall 2019.

In September, when the first national poll for women’s golf was released, the Charlotte 49ers were ranked No. 7 after their impressive performance in the Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate.

Cecilie Finne-Ipsen played in all five fall tournaments, boosting the 49ers to their first team titles and an individual finish at the top. She started her sophomore year with a tie for 11th, finishing even with scores of 75-68-70 at the Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate.

Her fall ended tying for medalist honors, the first of her career, at the Idle Hour Collegiate, where she finished seven-under for the tournament. She opened the Idle Hour with a round of 69.

Siarra Stout posted a two-under 70 round with a birdie on the first and adding two more on the back, erasing a lone bogey on nine.

Ashley Fowler finished one back of Stout, starting with back-to-back birdies, a part of three on her day, to card a 71.

“This is certainly a great way for us to finish our fall season,” said Coach Holly Clark. “They absolutely went out on top and played really solid golf. They brought the energy and they all played well. I love having a group where you never know which five are going to count, and we had four finish in the top-10.”

The Niners are preparing for the 2020 spring season, which opens Feb. 24.

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Yumi Garcia

Volleyball Charlotte volleyball finished the 2019 season with an overall 16-15 record, after a 3-2 defeat to visiting Florida Atlantic. The team was 5-9 in Conference USA play.

In the final game, Yumi Garcia broke Charlotte’s all-time career digs record for 26 in the match. She finished her senior year with 725, making her Charlotte’s alltime leader with 2,023 digs during her three-year career. “To see us playing our best volleyball is so exciting,” said Coach Karen Weatherington. “We showed a lot of folks of what we’re capable of.”

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THE POWER OF GIVING Ciara Lilly’s UNC Charlotte experience left a lasting impression, inspiring her to give back to the University in a meaningful way. Lilly connected with the mission of the University Transition Opportunities Program (UTOP) as a student and now, as a young alumna, created a scholarship to complement the great work being done in UTOP. “Going to college can be a difficult transition for many students, especially first-generation students that aren’t equipped with a blueprint for what the college experience should be like,” said Lilly. “UTOP gives students that blueprint, while empowering them to

excel and connecting them to a strong support network, accessible throughout their collegiate journey.”

Lilly believes in giving back. “I encourage other young alumni to dismiss the notion that you have to donate millions to have a real impact. Start where you can, because every donation, no matter the size, counts.”

Lilly ’09 is director of business development and diversity for Environmental Service Systems. She also is founder of Higher Ground Consulting Group, a firm focused on helping small and diverse businesses build capacity, achieve sustainable growth and safeguard their contributions to the global economy.

> Exponential: The Campaign for UNC Charlotte celebrates the dramatic trajectory of growth of our University and our 144,000 alumni. This campaign offers all of us – alumni, business leaders and the University Community – the opportunity to shape a future that is even more exciting than our past.

The power of you makes it possible. Join us.

> UNC Charlotte Foundation

| exponential.uncc.edu | 704-687-7211

Class Notes 1980s Bill Manson ‘80 will retire from AnMed Health, a comprehensive health system in Anderson, S.C., July 2020.

Manson served as CEO since 2015 and has been part of the organization’s leadership team since 1981. During his tenure, the hospital developed several regional partnerships and built a hybrid operating room. He earned a master’s degree in business administration from UNC Charlotte.

Manson

1990s Jennifer Brinson ’95, principal of Wolf Meadow Elementary School, is the 2019-20 Cabarrus County Schools Principal of the Year. During her tenure witha Cabarrus County Schools, she has served in a variety of roles including teacher, lead teacher, instructional specialist, assistant principal of instruction and principal. Brinson moved to Wolf Meadow as assistant principal of instruction in 2013 and was named principal in 2016. She received bachelor’s 58 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine

degrees in reading and elementary education from UNC Charlotte.

Brinson

Daniel Carter ’94 joined the Baltimore office of Quinn Evans Architects as an architect. Carter’s past work includes renovations to historic buildings for the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Annapolis Post Office and the Ivy Hotel in Baltimore.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from UNC Charlotte.

Deana Lewis ’98, ’05, principal of Jackson Park Elementary School, was named Kannapolis City Schools’ 2019-20 Principal of the Year. Lewis became principal of Jackson Park in 2017. During her tenure, she has led Jackson Park to dramatic improvements in student achievement, increasing the school’s performance score a full letter grade and boosting the academic growth score to 93 percent each year. Student achievement also has risen more than 10 percent during her time as principal. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education

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and a master’s degree in reading education from UNC Charlotte.

Steven Mills ’98 joined Apollon Wealth Management as chief operating officer. Previously, Mills was a senior vice president at LPL Financial.

He has more than 20 years of financial services industry experience. Mills received a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in marketing from UNC Charlotte.

Timothy Sawyer ’97 was promoted to partner and principal as well as assumed the role of president of the architectural and interior design firm Brown, Lindquist, Fenuccio & Raber Architects in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts. He is a licensed architect with more than 20 years of architectural and project management experience, including more than 15 years at the firm. His expertise is in waterfront buildings and flood zone construction.

Sawyer earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from UNC Charlotte.

Sawyer

Brandon Whelan ’99 joined Dewberry, a professional services firm, as an associate and the electrical infrastructure department manager in the firm’s Raleigh office. In this role, he will assist clients with evaluations and designs, and improve the reliability and flexibility of their medium voltage power distribution systems. His expertise covers electrical power system studies, electrical design, medium voltage electrical protection and control design, and project management. Whalen earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from UNC Charlotte.

2000s Russell Brown ’06 was named senior vice president of Acquisitions for National Storage Affiliates Trust. Most recently, Brown was senior vice president of Investments & Capital Markets for Flagship Healthcare Properties, where he was responsible for execution of the firm’s real estate investment trust (REIT) acquisition and investment strategy, risk management, portfolio optimization, financing and structuring. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in finance from UNC Charlotte.

Ana Collins ’09 was promoted to project manager for Wohlsen Construction Co. Collins previously served

Want to submit a Class Note?

If you’re a proud 49er alum and have exciting news, we want to know. Join the Alumni Association’s online community to submit news and to stay engaged with the University by visiting 49erAlumni.uncc.edu. Additionally, you can submit news via email to 49erAlumni@uncc.edu. Accompanying photos are encouraged.

as project engineer. Collins began her career 10 years ago as a project engineer in residential construction and has since been working in commercial construction. She earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UNC Charlotte.

Annette Keller ’00 was named a 2019 Top Women in Business by Business Today N.C. Keller is the director of communications for the city of Kannapolis.

She oversees all public relations, communications and marketing activities, including resident outreach, business and economic development marketing, and implementing the city’s branding initiative.

Previously, she served in the same role for the cities of Concord and Matthews. Keller earned a master’s degree in public administration from UNC Charlotte.

Lynn Myrick ’09 joined Sodoma Law as the firm’s first-ever divorce concierge. In this role, Myrick helps clients manage not only detailed logistics and access to trusted resources but their emotional landscape as well, enabling them to discover how to navigate moving forward.

She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UNC Charlotte.

Mary Ellen Naylor ’02 was named dean of Health Sciences at Cape Fear

Community College. Naylor has been with the college since 2003, and also served as chair of the college’s curriculum committee.

Previously, she worked as a dental hygiene instructor and rose to serve as the program director and department chair for Allied Health. She earned a master’s degree in health administration from UNC Charlotte.

Naylor

Craig Powers ’03 was promoted to director of public services for the city of Salisbury. He previously served as assistant director.

He has been recognized locally and nationally for customer service and dedication to the profession. Powers earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UNC Charlotte.

Ryan Rogers ’08 was named commanding officer of the USS Russell, a U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer.

Rogers assumed command of the ship in accordance with the Navy’s Fleet-up Program after serving as executive officer. Since joining the Navy, Rogers has been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and Craftmaster badge. He earned a master’s degree in business administration from UNC Charlotte.

Allison Taylor ’09 was named director of education at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia. Previously, she was head of education and community engagement at Washington University’s Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum in St. Louis. She earned a master’s degree in liberal studies with a concentration in museum studies from UNC Charlotte.

and sales of real estate in the Catawba Valley and Foothills areas. She is a member of the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors and the national and state realtor associations.

Wimbish earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UNC Charlotte.

Wimbish

Sheila Wright ’08 was named assistant principal of North Brook Elementary School in Lincoln County. At North Brook, she’s working in a combined role as the assistant principal and Title 1 interventionist. In regard to the latter, Davis will be working with teachers to determine the skills students need to be successful, and that their needs are met. She earned a master’s degree in reading education from UNC Charlotte.

2010s Taylor

Powers

Amy Wimbish ’04 joined Realty Executives of Hickory as a licensed real estate broker. In this role, Wimbish will specialize in marketing

Ramel Carpenter ’18 was named meteorologist and reporter at WFMJ in Youngstown, Ohio. Carpenter was previously a meteorology intern in Lexington, Kentucky, and Charlotte. He earned a bachelor’s degree in

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meteorology from UNC Charlotte.

Jordan Irvan ’16 was named senior accountant of the James Moore & Co., Gainesville office, a fullservice regional accounting firm. In this role, Irvan will focus on personal, corporate and partnership tax returns. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in accounting and finance from UNC Charlotte.

Carpenter

Sophie Guderian ’12, ’14 joined the department of Biology, Behavioral Neuroscience & Health Sciences at Rider University as a lecturer.

Guderian recently completed a doctorate from the University of Delaware in applied physiology. She earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a master’s degree in kinesiology from UNC Charlotte.

Cliff Daniels ’10 was named crew chief for Jimmie Johnson No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team.

Daniels had been working in Hendrick’s competition systems group before rejoining the No. 48 team as race engineer. Previously, he served as race engineer for Tony Stewart at Stewart-Haas Racing. Daniels earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from UNC Charlotte.

Daniels

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Jake Johnson ’16 joined the North Carolina General Assembly, becoming its youngest member. In assuming this role, Johnson resigned from his seat on the Polk County Board of Commissioners, where he was notably among the state’s youngest elected officials.

Outside of his public service, he works for the Berkshire Hathaway real estate office in Hendersonville. Johnson received a bachelor’s degree in political science and minors in human rights and economics from UNC Charlotte.

Johnson

Martha Motley ’18 was named principal of Forest Park Elementary School in Kannapolis. Motley began her education career as a teacher at Forest Park in 1999, teaching second and fourth grade until she left in 2014 to serve as Kannapolis City | Winter 2020

Schools’ district instructional math coach. She went on to serve as assistant principal at A.L. Brown High School and Kannapolis Middle School before returning to Forest Park as assistant principal. Motley received a master’s degree in school administration from UNC Charlotte.

Cameron Niedermayer ’15 was named assistant city manager of Montpelier, Vermont.

Previously, Niedermayer served as senior assistant to the county manager for Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Prior to that she worked as an analyst for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Niedermayer earned a master’s degree in public administration from UNC Charlotte.

Jessie Parris ’15 was named finance director of the city of Morganton. Previously, she served as finance manager at the civil engineering company WithersRavenel.

Parris’ experience includes budget management, fund financial analysis, capital improvement planning, fund strategy and other finance-related roles. She is a certified public accountant and serves as treasurer on the board of the Family Care Center of Catawba Valley.

Parris received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from UNC Charlotte.

Andrew Platek ’18 was named assistant principal for Central Cabarrus High School. Platek joined the leadership team at Central Cabarrus in 2018 as dean of students. He started his career in education in 2006

as a high school math teacher and has held positions at Jay M. Robinson and Northwest Cabarrus High Schools. He earned a master’s degree in school administration from UNC Charlotte.

Platek

Charles Rodriguez ’12 joined the men’s soccer coaching staff at Yale University as an assistant coach. Previously, Rodriguez served as an assistant coach at Stanford University, where he helped lead the team to back-toback NCAA Championships in 2016 and 2017. Prior to Stanford, Rodriguez spent three seasons on staff at Xavier. Following his collegiate career, he was drafted in the third round of Major League Soccer’s 2012 Supplemental Draft by D.C. United. He later moved on to the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL Pro League. Rodriquez earned a bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice with minors in political science and sociology from UNC Charlotte.

Rodriguez

Calendar Niner Nation Events • Winter • 2020

MARCH

APRIL

thru 3/27 “Palimpsest: Ceramic Works by Carlos Estévez” UNC Charlotte, Storrs Gallery Receptions: 2/20, 6-8 p.m.; 2/21, 12:30-1:30 p.m. coaa.uncc.edu/events-exhibitions 12 Black Alumni Chapter Night at the Museum Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 5:30 p.m.

49erAlumni.uncc.edu 19-22 Spring Dance Concert Belk Theater, Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts 3/19-21, 7:30 p.m.; 3/22, 2 p.m. https://coaa.uncc.edu/events/spring-dance-concert-6 24 Alumni Association/Uptown Baseball (Charlotte 49ers vs. N.C. State) BB&T Ballpark, 7 p.m.

49erAlumni.uncc.edu 24 Personally Speaking: “How Cities Vie for Political Conventions” Suzanne Leland, Department of Political Science and Public Administration UNC Charlotte Center City, 6 p.m., reception; 7 p.m., lecture clas.uncc.edu/engagement 27 TEDxUNCCharlotte Speakers address “Thinking Future. Thinking Forward.”

Cone University Center, 12:30 p.m. tedx.uncc.edu

4-5 Intonations: Songs from the Violins of Hope Halton Theater, Central Piedmont Community College 4/4, 7:30 p.m.; 4 /5, 2 p.m. coaa.uncc.edu/events/intonations-songs-violins-hope 16-19 “Pippin” Belk Theater, Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts 4/16, 4/19, 7:30 p.m.; 4/18, 2 p.m. coaa.uncc.edu/events/pippin 24 2020 Alumni Awards Celebration The Westin Charlotte, 11:30 a.m.

49erAlumni.uncc.edu 24 2020 Green Tie Gala The Westin Charlotte, 6:30 p.m.

49erAlumni.uncc.edu 30 UNITED: A Remembrance Concert Belk Theater, Blumenthal Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m.

Hosted by Don Dahler ‘91, CBS News; proceeds benefit April 30 Remembrance Fund blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/united-aremembrance-concert

MAY 8-9 Spring Commencement Halton Arena, Barnhardt Student Activity Center commencement.uncc.edu

Ryan Honeyman

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Charlotte, NC Permit No. 949

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte 9201 University Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28223-0001

The Charlotte skyline shined 49er green on December 19, the eve of UNC Charlotte’s first ever bowl game appearance. See page 48.

Ryan Honeyman