Setting the stage for the academic year ahead, Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber opened today’s annual University Convocation by acknowledging – and heralding – UNC Charlotte’s successful navigation of challenges related to the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic. She made a point to shine a light on the award-winning efforts of faculty and staff to continue the University’s forward momentum during an unprecedented time.
“While much of the world has been in a holding pattern for the last 18 months, UNC Charlotte has been hard at work,” Gaber stated during her remarks at Hauser Pavilion. “This past year was difficult in a number of ways … yet UNC Charlotte set a record for enrollment (30,146); a record for fundraising (nearly $39 million); we received the largest grant in the University’s history ($20 million); and we were competitively selected by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities as the recipient of the 2021 Excellence and Innovation Award for Campus Pandemic Response in the Urban Category. This is quite a feather in our cap, and a testament to the hard work, dedication and innovation of our faculty and staff.”
A pivotal year ahead
Gaber made special note of the upcoming academic year’s anticipated highlights, particularly the roll out of “Shaping What’s Next,” UNC Charlotte’s new strategic plan; celebrating the University’s 75th anniversary, which kicks off on Founder’s Day, Sept. 23; and strategy to unify and strengthen the institutional brand.
“Strengthening our brand is crucial as we seek to raise our profile and academic reputation not only statewide but also nationally and even internationally,” she said. ““We are committed to a future that benefits everyone, rooted in progress and shared success. And we’re doing all of this with a powerful city at our backs.”
Gaber announced the University will launch a marketing campaign in September to raise awareness for UNC Charlotte’s intentions to “Shape’s What’s Next.” As a prelude to the campaign’s kickoff, the University has updated its website URL to charlotte.edu. Learn more about the new branding campaign.
Recognizing excellence
Other University Convocation speakers included Provost Joan Lorden; Celeste Corpening, chair of the UNC Charlotte Staff Council; Student Body President Dick Beekman; and Susan Harden, Faculty Council president.
As is tradition, the provost recognized faculty members who have 25 years of University service and those awarded tenure. She also honored faculty who were promoted to full professor: Kirill Afonin, chemistry; Kelly Anderson, special education and child development; Tao Hong, systems engineering and engineering science; Monica Johar, business information systems and operations management; Fumie Kato, languages and culture studies; Ann Loraine, bioinformatics and genomics; Susan McCarter, social work; Lisa Merriweather, educational leadership; Irina Nesmelova; physics and optical science; Margaret Quinlan, communication studies; Dylan Savage, music; Mohamed Shehab, software and information systems; Michelle Stephan, middle, secondary and K-12 education; John Szmer, political science and public administration; Jerry Troutman, chemistry; and Tricia Turner; kinesiology.