The School of Architecture has received a $1 million estate gift from Charles Hight, dean emeritus of the College of Architecture, and his wife, Jeannette.
In announcing the donation, University officials note the planned gift includes two components: an Endowed Professorship in Innovative Architecture and Technology Design and the Hight Architecture Fellowship, a scholarship for exemplary architecture students.
"Every school of architecture in this country aspires to receive such generous gifts as a mark of continuous commitment from faculty and student alumni, as well as the profession, to advance the quality of the program," said Ken Lambla, dean of the College of Arts + Architecture. “This gift is a momentous occasion for the School of Architecture; it is a symbol of confidence and true philanthropy by our former colleague and his wife. It is greatly appreciated.”
Charles Hight received a degree in civil engineering from the University of Maryland in 1955 and began his architectural studies at Johns Hopkins University, completing his degree at Auburn University. In 1965, he joined the faculty at Tuskegee University to help establish the first professional architectural program in a southern historically black university. He became program head in 1968 and led its accreditation before leaving in 1976. During his tenure, Hight received a Senior Research Fulbright Fellowship for environmental design and planning study in the Netherlands.
Hight came to UNC Charlotte in 1976 and served as dean of the-then College of Architecture until he retired in 2002. He remained on the UNC Charlotte faculty until 2005, when he moved to Tampa to serve as dean of the University of Southern Florida’s School of Architecture and Community Design for three years. In 1992, Hight was admitted to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. In 2007, the Charles C. Hight Architectural Library, located in Storrs Building, became UNC Charlotte’s first branch library.
Jeannette Hight also is a lifelong educator who instructed Head Start teachers at Tuskegee between 1966 and 1976. Upon moving to Charlotte, she began teaching at Plaza Presbyterian Weekday School, serving as director from 1979 to 1997.
“As neither of us benefitted from financial assistance from family or institutions, we understand the importance of providing financial support to excellent, dedicated students,” said Hight. “We hope our gift will help and inspire students to provide innovative architecture that will improve the quality of life for all persons. Likewise, if architecture is to have a pivotal role in the developing of our society, it is essential for architectural programs to have faculty members that will holistically advance innovative architectural design and technology. Our gift reflects our confidence in the UNC Charlotte architectural program's continued innovative progress and its future. We hope that our gift will stimulate others to make contributions.”
Photo (left to right) Chris Jarrett, director of the School of Architecture; Ken Lambla, COA+A dean; Jeannette and Charles Hight; Provost Joan Lorden; Carl Johnson, retired planned giving officer; and Harry Creemers, senior director of advancement services