General News

Department of Theatre alumna Caridad Svich recently received the 2018 Ellen Stewart Award for Career Achievement in Professional Theatre by the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). The honor is given annually to recognize superlative contributions to the field of theatre. 

The Charlotte 49ers softball team once again has claimed the Conference USA Softball Academic Award. This honor is given to the team in each conference-sponsored sport with the highest GPA for the academic year. 

 With claiming the award for the 2017-18 season, the University’s softball team has won the honor for the fourth consecutive academic year.

During the academic year, the 49ers softball team compiled a 3.649 cumulative grade point average with nine of the 18 players on the roster achieving a perfect 4.0 in the spring semester.

The world premiere of “User Agreement,” conceived by faculty and students in the College of Arts + Architecture, is set for Monday, Aug. 20, at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.

Scott Smith, chair of the Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science Department, received the Outstanding Lifetime Service Award from the North American Manufacturing Research Institution of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (NAMRI/SME) at the 46th annual North American Manufacturing Research Conference (NAMRC) held in College Station, Texas.

The award honors distinguished members for their long-term dedication and contributions to NAMRI/SME.

Manuel Pérez-Quiñones, associate dean of the College of Computing and Informatics (CCI), recently received the Nico Habermann Award, presented at the Computer Research Association conference.

The hot, windless days of summer can cause air quality to decrease, which indicates a greater exposure to airborne pollutants. During the month of August, Charlotte citizens are being challenged to do their part to reduce the amount of pollution in the air.
Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 1, N. C. Air Awareness, in partnership with Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and Sustain Charlotte, is hosting the Clean Commute Challenge. Participants are asked to avoid single-person-per-vehicle commutes during the month, helping make the air cleaner.

Charlotte 49ers senior linebacker Juwan Foggie has been nominated for the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and named to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List.

The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is comprised of college football student-athletes and one honorary head coach who make outstanding contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement. These individuals embody the true spirit of teamwork and giving back through commendable acts of kindness.

Engage ME, which stands for Engage Multicultural Engineers, is a relatively new initiative within the Lee College of Engineering; the effort brings together students, faculty, professionals and alumni of all races, cultures and genders.

C.D. Spangler Jr., 86, died Sunday, July 22; the Charlotte business executive served as UNC System president from 1986 to 1997. During his tenure, he oversaw the installation of UNC Charlotte Chancellor James Woodward in April 1990.

In a Charlotte Observer article, UNC President Margaret Spellings said that Spangler, also known as “Dick,” helped to “change lives and transform a state.”

Tumininu (Tumi) Lawanson recently was named a Young Clean Energy Innovator of the Year by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) at its Intersolar North American ceremony in San Francisco, California.

“Personally, I count it as a privilege and an honor to be recognized as one of two Young Clean Energy Innovators of 2018 by IREC,” said Lawanson. “I am especially grateful for the support of my research advisor, Dr. Valentina Cecchi, and the strong collaborative research environment provided at EPIC and the University.”