Stories from Charlotte’s Veteran Community

November 10, 2025
Categories: Niner Insider
Niner Insider Veterans Image

Editor’s Note: Tomorrow is Veterans Day. Take a moment to recognize Charlotte’s veteran community and read some of their stories.

Celebrate UNC Charlotte’s Veteran Community 

UNC Charlotte Military and Veteran Services is observing Veterans Week through Saturday, Nov. 15. To celebrate these valued members of our community, check out the events taking place this week and read their stories below. 

  • Purple Heart Recipient Builds Connections: In 2011, Steve Moore earned the Purple Heart after being wounded while responding to a downed helicopter in Afghanistan. Now a junior communications studies major, he shares his story to form bonds.
  • Faculty Veterans Support Student Success: Four faculty veterans share how their military service influences their teaching, mentorship and support of students.
  • Forging a New Tradition: Aaron Kempster, senior social work major and Marine Corps veteran, is committed to bringing together the veteran community with a new event — the SVA Tournament.

what you need to know: faculty and sTaff

  • Academic Affairs Weekly News Digest: UNC Charlotte is partnering with Coursera, one of the world’s leading online learning platforms, to provide every student, faculty and staff member free access to Coursera Career Academy. Learn how to access this resource, along with other important updates in this week’s news digest.
  • Required IT Security Training: Student workers and temporary employees, including adjunct faculty, have until Saturday, Nov. 15, to complete the IT security training.
  • Atkins Library Closure: Atkins Library will be closed from Sunday, Dec. 14, through Tuesday, Jan. 6, for major electrical upgrades that will modernize the building’s systems. Please review the schedule for library services and resources, including important deadlines for pickups, requests and the return of materials, equipment and laptops.
  • Submit Gold Rush Events: Spring Gold Rush is Jan. 12-16. The deadline for student organizations and campus partners to submit events is Friday, Nov. 14.

what you need to know: students

  • Senior Send-Off: Celebrate becoming an official member of the Alumni Association during Senior Celebration. Join the GOLD Alumni Network and the University Career Center for food trucks, games and door prizes from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 1, at Armored Cow Brewing Co. Space is limited; register today.
  • Legal Services Session: Facing a North Carolina underage alcohol citation? Join UNC Charlotte Student Legal Services from 3 to 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13, or Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the Popp Martin Student Union, to learn more about potential legal outcomes and options before your court date.

the difference is charlotte

Amish Patel

Amish Patel’s remarkable journey from a spirited youth in Mumbai, India, to a chief technology officer at Elevance Health is a story of resilience and reinvention, exemplifying the transformative power of education — especially the education he found at UNC Charlotte.

upcoming events: students

CABin Fever

Join the Campus Activities Board for cozy vibes with hot chocolate, free food and game day classics from 3 to 5 p.m., today, Monday, Nov. 10, in the Popp Martin Student Union, Room 340.

  • Nostalgia Night: Take a trip back to childhood during Nostalgia Night from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Atkins Library, Area 49 and Gaming Lab.
  • Beyond the Armor: RSVP for Beyond the Armor, an event focused on promoting men’s mental health, from noon to 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13,  in the Cone University Center, Room 210. The event will have games, free Qdoba lunches and free haircuts (first come, first served).

professional development: faculty and staff

  • Student Affairs Faculty Fellow: Applications are open for the Student Affairs Faculty Fellow, a one-year, nonrenewable position designed to strengthen the division’s research capacity and deepen its understanding of the UNC Charlotte student experience. Submissions are due Monday, Nov. 17.
  • VPC Virtual Seminar: UNC Charlotte’s Violence Prevention Center will host a virtual seminar featuring Noel Vest, assistant professor at the Boston University School of Public Health, from noon to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19. This session is open to researchers, behavioral health professionals and students.
  • Deadline Extended: The deadline for nominations for the 2026 Harshini V. de Silva Graduate Mentor Award has been extended to Friday, Nov. 14. This prestigious award, presented by the Chancellor’s Office and the Graduate School, honors a full-time graduate faculty member who exemplifies exceptional mentoring.
  • 49er Mart Users: Attend a virtual forum from 2 to 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20. Registration is encouraged on the learning and development portal and more information can be found on the 49er Mart message board. 
  • Canvas Open Swim: Do you have questions about Canvas? Register to attend the virtual Canvas Open Swim from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21.

to-do list: faculty and staff

  • Submit OUR Project Descriptions: The Office of Undergraduate Research is accepting submissions for mentored project descriptions for the 2026 OUR Summer Research Program.
  • Signup for Late Night Breakfast: Student involvement is seeking volunteers for Late Night Breakfast, scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 2. Interested in volunteering? Add your name and email to the sign-up sheet.
  • Register for Belk College Event: The Charlotte community is invited to an exclusive evening with Nobel laureate Robert Merton at 5:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14, at The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City. A pioneer in modern finance and risk management, Merton will unpack new ways to realistically fund a financially secure retirement, with implications for individuals and organizations.
  • Stay Informed: Review ongoing disruptions, delays and detours on campus.

to-do list: students