Best summer spots in Charlotte, Layne Riggs ’24 wins again, Final Four team headed to Hall of Fame and more

June 29, 2026
Categories: Niner Insider
Campus sunset photo

Charlotte area summer guide

Looking for things to do in the Charlotte region this summer? There’s plenty. Here are 25 ways to explore campus and the city.

  • Ice cream bash: RSVP for the Semiquincentennial Ice Cream Bash to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 1, at the Barnhardt Student Activity Center.
  • Beat the heat: Summer has officially begun and the heat is on. Check out these spots to cool off.
  • Fourth of July poll: Where is the best place to watch fireworks in the Charlotte region? Let us know in this poll.

what you need to know: faculty and staff

  • Academic Affairs Weekly News Digest: Help Housing and Residence Life welcome Niner Nation to campus this fall, August 12-15. Learn how you can join the move-in crew, along with other important updates in this week’s news digest.
  • Remembering John Connaughton: The University is mourning its longest-serving faculty member and respected North Carolina economics forecaster, John Connaughton, who passed away June 24.
  • Mourning Florence Okoro: The School of Nursing is mourning the loss of Florence Okoro, an associate professor, who passed away June 16. 
  • Update on Kennedy stairs project: Work continues on the Kennedy Building stair replacement project, including the necessary removal of the tulip canopy due to long-term drainage issues that contributed to the deterioration of the stairs. The canopy was digitally preserved to support the exploration of future commemorative or interpretive options.
  • Computer update reminder: To maintain device security, OneIT will apply a critical update to a built-in startup security component on some University Windows devices starting Wednesday, July 1.
  • Goodbye Schedule Wizard: Schedule planning tool Schedule Wizard will no longer be available for course planning effective Wednesday, July 1. Students can continue to search for classes and register through Student Self Service in MyCharlotte.
  • Atkins Library closure: Atkins Library will be closed on Thursday, July 2, for construction-related work.
  • NinerAlert quarterly test: The quarterly test of the NinerAlert system will occur at approximately 9 a.m., Friday, July 3, and will last about 10 minutes. No action is required of you, and messages will be clearly marked as test messages.
  • Final Four team to Hall of Fame: Charlotte’s 1977 Men’s Basketball Final Four team will be inducted into the Charlotte Athletics Hall of Fame. Charlotte will celebrate the team’s 50th anniversary with a Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony during the 2026-27 basketball season.

what you need to know: students

the difference is charlotte

Layne Riggs '24 poses by trophy wearing UNC Charlotte hat

Photo credit: HHP/Harold Hinson

Layne Riggs ’24 picked up his fourth win of the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with a victory during the inaugural race at Naval Base Coronado on the Qualcomm Circuit.

professional development: faculty and staff

  • Concur update: Effective Wednesday, July 1, delegates can submit missing receipt declarations, and the athletics department must link travel requests to expense reports.
  • July workshops: Register for four Unleash Your Niner Potential workshops, presented by the HR learning and development team, centered around being a good team player, maximizing productivity with AI,  procrastinating and self-accountability. View the July schedule.
  • Discovering Enjoyment with Movement: Register for “Physical Activity: Discovering Enjoyment with Movement,” a worksite wellness lunch-and-learn webinar, at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 14. Katie Godin from LifeStyle Medical Center will discuss pushing through barriers regarding physical activity and uncovering the joy of movement, along with demonstrating how to make a breakfast smoothie.
  • ACE Awards reminder: Time is running out to nominate a deserving Alumni Campus Employee for the 2026 49er ACE Awards! Submit by Friday, July 31.

to-do list: faculty and staff

to-do list: students