Legacy of excellence: the Derrick family’s academic journey through UNC Charlotte’s Honors College

One family. Four merit scholarship recipients. A lasting Charlotte legacy.

The family of Kim and Charles Derrick is deeply connected to UNC Charlotte’s Honors College. Their four children all went through the college, have seven Charlotte degrees and certificates among them, and are now rooted in the Charlotte region.

The family recently joined with dozens of Honors College alumni, scholars, supporters, faculty and staff to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the college’s first two full-ride merit scholarship programs: the Crown Scholars Program and the Albert Engineering Leadership Scholars Program.

But the Derrick family’s story began years earlier.

“Visualize yourself walking around campus with a backpack,” Kim Derricksays she told her oldest child, Holden, as he navigated the college selection process.

While Kim is an alumna of Charlotte and Charles is a Tar Heel, they wanted their children to pursue the college or opportunity best suited to them.

When Holden ’18 pictured himself at Charlotte, he felt a sense of excitement and belonging that helped seal his decision. And throughout his time at Charlotte, he experienced the dynamic, collaborative and supportive environment he had imagined.

Holden came to Charlotte on a Crown Scholarship, one of the Honors College’s original full-ride merit scholarships, and served as president of the Business Honors Program. His sister, Connor, shared an interest in business, so Holden introduced her to Belk College of Business faculty while she was in high school.

Connor ’21, ’22 M.S. also chose Charlotte and never looked back. Like her older brother, she was selected for the Crown Scholars Program and served as president of the Business Honors Program. She also became the first — but not the last — Derrick to earn more than one Charlotte degree, with a master’s in data science and business analytics.

Gant ’23, ’25 M.S., the third sibling, was drawn to engineering. He chose Charlotte because of the William States Lee College of Engineering. Gant was selected as an Albert Scholar in the Honors College, which provided a full merit scholarship. Gant was the second Derrick sibling to earn two Charlotte degrees, earning a master’s in real estate finance and development.

Larkyn ’25, the family’s fourth child, initially feared being primarily known at Charlotte as the youngest Derrick. After ultimately choosing Charlotte, her concerns about being overshadowed by her siblings were allayed. She received merit scholarship support from funds that had comprised the former Crown Scholarship program, which had since evolved to support a broader range of honors scholarships and experiences. Her University Honors Program capstone project gave her confidence that she could manage a large research project — and propelled her to earn a graduate certificate in gerontology from Charlotte.

This close-knit family has been able to stay in close proximity, thanks to professional and educational opportunities in the Charlotte region.

Holden is a senior marketing technology manager for the country’s leading aftermarket auto service provider. Connor is a senior data scientist for Lowe’s, based in Mooresville. Gant is a civil engineer with a highly ranked global design firm. And Larkyn is working toward her doctorate in occupational therapy at Wingate University.

Kim said that her kids were well prepared to make their mark because they were equipped at UNC Charlotte to make a difference.

The Derricks remain grateful for the supportive environment their children experienced at UNC Charlotte and the Honors College — a place that shaped their academic journeys and futures.

Now, as proud alumni parents, they are committed to giving back so that future students can access the same opportunities.

“Whatever you can do to give, it’s going to impact someone,” said Kim. “That’s always the goal — to pay it forward and help others find their path, just like our family did.”

From left: The Derrick family, Holden, Connor, Larkyn, Kim, Charles and Gant.