Facilities Management

Thomas Lawrence Mellichamp ’70, former director of the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, died Sept. 12.

A professor emeritus in the Biology Department, Mellichamp retired in 2014 after nearly four decades directing the development of the University’s Botanical Gardens. He completed a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University and went on to earn a doctorate in botany from the University of Michigan before returning to join the Charlotte faculty in 1976.

Thomas Lawrence Mellichamp ’70, former director of the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, died Sept. 12.

A professor emeritus in the Biology Department, Mellichamp retired in 2014 after nearly four decades directing the development of the University’s Botanical Gardens. He completed a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University and went on to earn a doctorate in botany from the University of Michigan before returning to join the Charlotte faculty in 1976.

Campus continues to grow. Check out additions in the works, including a new Starbucks, The 49th Acre tailgate park and a new residence hall.

Richard Steele, associate vice chancellor for business services, was appointed interim associate vice chancellor for facilities management effective Thursday, Aug. 12. This will be a long-term assignment to ensure stability during leadership transitions. At this time, the University will not actively recruit for the associate vice chancellor for facilities management position. 

Jeffrey Michel, an electronics specialist with Facilities Management, died May 28.A Michigan native, Michel grew up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he graduated high school and college. He joined the University in 2009.

Tony Menton, a supervisor with Building Environmental Services and Recycling (BES&R), died May 9.Menton, 56, joined the University in October 2009 as a floor care technician on the main campus before transferring to The Dubois Center at Center City to lead floor care efforts and take on supervisory responsibilities.

Since September, UNC Charlotte has used wastewater sampling to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 prior to larger outbreaks, or clusters, in residence halls. Research has shown that the coronavirus can be detected in wastewater prior to an individual feeling symptomatic.Campus researchers and students are testing and analyzing the wastewater itself, but staff members in Facilities Management (FM) were integral in establishing this innovative process on campus.

Toby Creek meanders through campus, and its on-campus appearance looks different with the removal of trees along the stream corridor as part of a stream restoration project being led by Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services.

Devan Babish-Jakones, Facilities Management, Grounds, needs shared leave donations. The Benefits Office will accept donations through June 4.To contribute leave, faculty and staff should refer to the requirements and participant forms in Personnel Information Memorandum (PIM) 29 or in the literature racks outside of the Benefits Office, King Building, Room 207. For more information, email Marina LeLeux, benefits counselor, at mleleux@uncc.edu.

Celebrating Earth Day is a UNC Charlotte favorite tradition. Due to coronavirus stay-at-home orders, the annual campus cleanup isn’t possible.  Students, faculty and staff can, however, scan take pics or videos of themselves cleaning up their own neighborhoods and post them using #unccrecycles and #earthday2020.In recognition of Earth Day 2020, here are some of the ways UNC Charlotte protects the environment: