Dean’s Prize recipients honored for outstanding research

August 27, 2026

Categories: Niner Insider

UNC Charlotte’s Honors College recognized four students — Morgan Barnette, Tairen Fenhoff, Annabelle Hill and Benjamin Ward — as recipients of the 2026 Dean’s Prize for their outstanding honors capstone theses and projects.

what you need to know: faculty and staff

Applications due today: Pickstarter, UNC Charlotte’s crowdfunding platform, helps students, faculty and staff raise money for student organizations with support from University fundraising professionals. Applications for fall close today, Thursday, Aug. 27.
Engine celebration: UNC Charlotte welcomed leaders from government, industry, higher education and economic development for a reception celebrating the NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas.
Forbes best employer: For the eighth consecutive year, UNC Charlotte has been named to Forbes’ 2026 America’s Best Employers by State list, based on employee feedback about workplace factors such as benefits, management, flexibility and career advancement.
SoTL orientation: Attend the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning orientation from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 31, to learn about the SoTL Grants Program, the University’s support for SoTL work and resources that help faculty obtain funding for research.
Research town hall: Register for one of two 45-minute virtual town hall meetings, hosted by the Division of Research, to hear about recent organizational changes in the division, FY26 updates and participate in an open Q&A.
Vision plan: Employees enrolled in the NCFlex Vision Plan and the free Core Wellness Exam option are eligible for a once-a-year eye exam with just a $20 copay. Sign into your EyeMed account to review your benefits and browse member-only special offers that help keep your eyes healthy while saving money.
Letter from the UNC System: Read a letter from UNC System President Peter Hans and Board of Governors Chair Kellie Hunt Blue responding to U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s national call to action to university presidents and governing boards.

what you need to know: students

Opt out of Niner Course Pack: Tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 28, is the last day to opt out of the Niner Course Pack, an all-in-one textbook rental program, costing $20 per credit hour.
Applications due today: Pickstarter, UNC Charlotte’s crowdfunding platform, helps students, faculty and staff raise money for student organizations with support from University fundraising professionals. Applications for fall close today, Thursday, Aug. 27.
Eliminate the Digital Divide partnership: Charlotte nonprofit Eliminate the Digital Divide, in partnership with the University’s Office of Transition and Belonging, recently distributed nearly 250 free laptops to first-generation students.
University College changes: UNC Charlotte’s University College and two of its offices have new names to make student support services easier to identify and reflect expanded resources.

the difference is charlotte

Visit Dolly the Bromeliad, a striking plant once owned by the late Dolly Parton, in its final bloom at the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens. The towering display offers visitors a rare chance to see the plant’s last and most spectacular stage of life, made even more meaningful following Parton’s death.

Students have a new spot to study, recharge and hang out outdoors — two solar‑powered picnic tables were added behind McEniry Hall this summer, next to the pollinator garden beds. Funded by the Charlotte Green Initiative (CGI) student green fund, the tables offer shaded space to eat, meet with friends and power up your devices using clean, renewable energy.

professional development: faculty and staff

New accessibility policy: Learn how Policy 319 impacts teaching, course design and digital learning materials at a virtual information session from 1 to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 2, hosted by the Center for Teaching and Learning.
Mental health training: Participate in Mental Health First Aid, a national program that teaches participants to recognize risk factors and warning signs of mental health and substance use concerns; and learn about available support resources from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 11.

to-do list: faculty and staff

OneIT training sessions: Build new IT skills in the upcoming OneIT training sessions, including new sessions on Adobe Express and Gemini Notebook.
Meet our K-9s: In honor of yesterday’s National Dog Day, meet Barney, Dany and Charli — Charlotte’s four‑legged safety officers. These K‑9s strengthen Charlotte’s commitment to a campus environment that puts safety and mental well‑being first, offering both protection and comfort across Niner Nation.
Check your trivia results: Readers scored an average of 3.2 of 4 on last week’s trivia challenge. The most challenging question was, “The year is off to a strong start with approximately how many first-year students?” The correct answer is approximately 5,100 first-year students.

to-do list: Students

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Meet our K-9s: In honor of yesterday’s National Dog Day, meet Barney, Dany and Charli — Charlotte’s four‑legged safety officers. These K‑9s strengthen Charlotte’s commitment to a campus environment that puts safety and mental well‑being first, offering both protection and comfort across Niner Nation.
Check your trivia results: Readers scored an average of 3.2 of 4 on last week’s trivia challenge. The most challenging question was, “The year is off to a strong start with approximately how many first-year students?” The correct answer is approximately 5,100 first-year students.

upcoming faculty and staff

Honors College course proposals: The Honors College is accepting course proposals for summer 2027, fall 2027 and spring 2028. Proposals should be submitted by Tuesday, Sept. 15. Contact Erik Byker for questions.
ORTIA Micro Grant: The Division of Research invites researchers and inventors to apply for up to $5,000 to help advance newly disclosed inventions with commercial potential. Applications close Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Youth workshop: UNC Charlotte Youth Programs is hosting a one-day workshop on campus for students in grades 3-12 on Saturday, Oct. 17, with topics including math, forensic science, financial literacy and more.

upcoming events: students

Scavenger Hunt: Don’t miss the Light Rail Scavenger Hunt from 3 to 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 28. Starting at the UNC Charlotte Main Station, teams of up to five will have two hours and 49 minutes to visit locations along the LYNX Blue Line, earn points and snap photos for a chance to win prizes.