
Welcome to SYC, a UNC Charlotte newsletter designed to make it easy for you to stay connected with Charlotte’s urban research university. Top stories, strategic priorities, current media exposure and social media connections will all be a part of SYC. We hope consolidating our news this way will “unclutter” your inbox and make it easy to Stake Your Claim.
Belk Receives Distinguished Service Award

Belk Inc. is the 2014 recipient of the UNC Charlotte Distinguished Service Award.
In honoring the Charlotte-based retailer, UNC Charlotte Chancellor Phil Dubois noted a number of similarities between Belk and the University. He stated both organizations are growing and are expanding their reach and profile. Belk Inc. and UNC Charlotte have invested in football, and both Belk and UNC Charlotte are exploring how to use technology – for Belk it is for online retailing, for the University it would be in how the institution delivers education.
Chancellor Dubois Visits Stanly County

Chancellor Phil Dubois made his final stop for the academic year in Stanly County on Thursday, May 8, as part of a series of visits to strengthen relationships between UNC Charlotte and the 12 counties that comprise the greater Charlotte Region.
Happy Birthday, Miss Bonnie
June 22 will mark the 107th birthday of UNC Charlotte's founder, Bonnie Cone, or as she was known on campus and is affectionately referred to now, Miss Bonnie.
UNC Charlotte was founded, in part, on the belief that all students, regardless of ability to pay, should be able to obtain a college education. Who better to lead that charge than the founder of the University herself, Bonnie Cone.
Alumni Football Tailgate Packages Now Available
The second season of 49er football is now underway, and the Alumni Association’s tailgate packages for all home games are available for purchase, with single-game tailgate options also available. Tailgates are open to all alumni and friends of UNC Charlotte. Additionally, the colleges and affinity networks will have gatherings for their alumni throughout the season.
Make a Gift, Make an Impact
Alumni support provides a strong foundation for future success at UNC Charlotte. To date, 3,392 alumni donors have made a financial contribution to our university. Our goal is to raise that number to 4,500 by June 30. Please step up today and become an alumni donor committed to helping current and future 49ers succeed. Each gift goes to work immediately funding quality programs, instructional resources, worthy scholarships and so much more.
Alumni and Legislators Gather in Raleigh

Alumni and legislators gathered for a reception in Raleigh on Tuesday, June 3, hosted by Chancellor Phil Dubois and Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest (’93, ’94) at Hawkins-Hartness House, Forest's historic office. Rain didn’t dampen the guests’ enthusiasm, as legislators and alumni excitedly connected with each other and the University. UNC President Tom Ross and three members of the UNC Board of Governors were in attendance, and Governor Pat McCrory also stopped by.
Legislative Update: June 2014
Congressman Richard Hudson Visits Campus

Congressman Richard Hudson (’96) paid a visit to UNC Charlotte on Thursday, May 15, where he hosted a summit on human trafficking. While on campus, he also toured the Bioinformatics labs.
Trustee Drew Honored by Leadership Charlotte
Theresa Drew, UNC Charlotte trustee and Deloitte managing partner, was honored at Leadership Charlotte's 2014 Legacy Awards as Newcomer of the Year. The annual awards event honors Charlotte leaders who create lasting change and a measurable difference in the community. Drew was praised for her ability to influence positive change and dedication to community service.
Harnessing the Power of Data
UNC Charlotte recently hosted the conference "Harnessing the Power of Data," bringing together leading experts from industry and academia to discuss the most recent trends in "Big Data."
In this video, Charlotte Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Morgan comments on UNC Charlotte as an economic driver in Big Data and the advantages to businesses that work with the University.
UNC Charlotte Q2 Magazine Available Online

UNC Charlotte magazine is now available online.
Events, Issue 3
- Monday, June 9: Charlotte 49ers Triad Golf Day
- Tuesday, June 10: Building a Healthier Charlotte
- Tuesday, June 10: Master of Accountancy Program Information Session
- Thursday, June 12: Graduate Certificate Open House
- Wednesday, June 18: MBA Program Information Session
- Thursday, June 19: Alumni Pre-Run Social and Family Fun Run
- Thursday, June 19: Lunch at the Library with History Professor David Goldfield
- Friday, June 20: Graduate Certificate Virtual Open House
- Monday, July 21: Charlotte 49ers Football Ladies' Night Out
- Saturday, August 16: Durham Bulls vs. Charlotte Knights Alumni Event
In the News, June 2014
- Master of Urban Design Program Director David Walters was highlighted in Creative Loafing May 29.
- WFAE reported on a recycling robot created by UNC Charlotte engineering students to support the zero-waste initiative at Jerry Richardson Stadium on May 29.
- A UNC Charlotte study on homelessness was cited in the Guardian on May 28.
- Engineering Professors John Daniels and Brett Tempest, along with Chris Hardin, UNC Charlotte affiliated engineer and fellow, discussed repurposing coal ash on WFAE May 22.
- Hardin commented on coal ash use at the airport on WCNC May 21.
- Social Work Professor Lori Thomas and Ashley Williams Clark fromt the Urban Institute spoke with WFAE on housing the homeless and Moore Place May 19.
- UNC Charlotte's Collegiate Recovery Community was touted as a model for other campuses participating in Governor McCrory's new substance abuse task force, as reported by the Winston-Salem Journal and Daily Reflector May 13.
- Track athlete and Levine Scholar alumna Jasmine Patterson '14, was honored with the Conference USA Spirit of Service Award, as reported by Lake Norman News May 16.
- Chancellor Philip L. Dubois' op-ed about legislative priorities was featured in the Charlotte Business Journal May 16.
- Psychology Professor Richard McAnulty was quoted in the Boston Globe about young adults and dating on May 16.
- The Charlotte Observer recognized local students named to the newest class of Levine Scholars on May 15.
- Chancellor Dubois' op-ed on ties to Stanly County was featured in the Stanly News and Press May 14.
- The Stanly News and Press covered Chancellor Dubois' visit to Stanly County in an article on May 14.
- UNC Charlotte alumnus Kyle White was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery fighting in Afghanistan, as reported by the Chicago Tribune on May 13.
- Public Health Sciences Professors James Studnicki's and John Fisher's research exploring abortion's impact on socioecomics and demographics was featured on Breitbart.com May 11.
- UNC Charlotte's Big Data conference was featured in the Charlotte Observer on May 11.
- WBTV aired a story on commencement and UNC Charlotte's 3,600 graduates on May 10.
- The Charlotte Observer published a story on the Levine Scholars inaugural graduating class on May 9.
- UNC Charlotte Sustainability Officer Mike Lizotte participated on a panel discussing plastics and the environment on WFAE, which aired May 9.
- College of Computing and Informatics Dean Yi Deng, College of Health and Human Services Dean Nancy Fey-Yensan and Belk College of Business Dean Steve Ott shared their viewpoint on Big Data in the Charlotte Business Journal May 9.
- College of Education Dean Ellen McIntyre spoke to WCCB on the decline in students majoring in education and the diversity gap in teachers on May 7.
- McIntyre was interviewed by WBTV on the decline in students majoring in education May 5.
- Daniels' op-ed on coal ash was featured in the Charlotte Observer May 4
- Psychology Professor Eric Heggestad was quoted in a LiveScience article published May 2 on personality traits that are advantageous in the workplace.
- Articles on the Charlotte Venture Challenge, a competition hosted by UNC Charlotte's on-campus business incubator Ventureprise, appeared in the Charlotte Observer May 2 and Examiner.com on May 5.
- Public Policy Professor Martha Kropf spoke to WCCB May 1 about changes at the polls that voters can expect this year.