General News

Classes get under way Monday, Aug. 25, at the new Charlotte Engineering Early College, located in the shadow of EPIC. It is the first of its kind for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS).
The inaugural class of 100 ninth-graders from across Mecklenburg County will delve into a curriculum that focuses on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) courses, with a special emphasis on energy and engineering. A new school building was constructed near CRI Deck 1 for this collaboration between CMS and UNC Charlotte.

Elizabeth Hardin, vice chancellor for business affairs, recently was named one of Charlotte’s Chief Financial Officers of the Year by the Charlotte Business Journal. She was honored in the category large nonprofit/government organization.
As UNC Charlotte’s chief financial and administrative officer, Hardin is responsible for the University’s fiscal management and audit, facilities development and operation, human resources, public safety, technical operations and planning, business continuity and auxiliary services.

Jonathan Crane, associate professor in the Communication Studies Department, is one of five finalists for a prestigious UNC Charlotte honor – the Bank of America Award for Teaching Excellence. Prior to the official ceremony to name the award recipient, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 5, Inside UNC Charlotte will profile the other finalists: Fumie Kato, associate professor, languages and culture studies; Tracy Rock, associate professor, reading and elementary education; and Debra Smith, associate professor, Africana studies.

Fumie Kato, associate professor in the Department of Languages and Culture Studies, is the 2014 recipient of the Bonnie E. Cone Early-Career Professorship for Teaching. Her selection was announced during the annual University Convocation Tuesday, Aug. 19.
Provost Joan Lorden, in revealing the honor, said, “Kato uses her expertise in applied linguistics with emphases on language pedagogy, student motivation and learning strategies to strengthen the degree program and inspire her colleagues.” 

Chancellor Philip L. Dubois focused on the University’s past and future in his Convocation remarks, noting in a highly competitive world of higher education, interest in UNC Charlotte continues to climb.
“Notwithstanding some challenges … this institution finds itself in a very good place,” he said. “Completed applications for freshman admission this fall reached 15,600, an 80 percent increase since 2005. Our goal with all of these students, of course, is to send degree recipients out into the world of work as productive and engaged members of the community.”

The Washington Center has named UNC Charlotte its New Affiliate of the Year for 2014. The honor recognizes the University’s consistent and exceptional support of and partnership with the Washington Center.
Mike Smith, president of the Washington Center, stated UNC Charlotte and other center award recipients are shining examples of higher education institutions and organizations that place a priority on experiential learning.

Watch a live webcast of today’s University Convocation starting at 9:30 a.m. Chancellor Philip L. Dubois and Provost Joan Lorden will address faculty, staff and students at this yearly event.

Anita Blowers, associate professor of criminal justice and criminology, is among the five finalists for the 2014 Bank of America Award for Teaching Excellence, one of the University’s highest honors.

While new to the University Honors Program, Jennifer Warner is a veteran UNC Charlotte faculty member. In assuming the UHP directorship, Warner brings a STEM perspective to the program.
Warner first arrived on campus as a graduate student 20 years ago to pursue a master’s degree in biology. While a full-time faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences, Warner completed a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction at UNC Greensboro.

UNC Charlotte students will have the chance to win prizes and gift cards from IKEA Charlotte – after they answer trivia questions about mental health, substance abuse, stress management and other topics related to their mental and physical health.