Scholarship and Academic Life

The Office of Adult Students and Evening Services recently honored the inaugural recipients of the Bernard Osher Foundation Endowed Scholarship.
Last year, UNC Charlotte received a $1 million grant from the San Francisco-based Osher Foundation, which is being used as a permanent funding source to aid nontraditional students to complete their degrees. Through the Osher Reentry Scholarship Endowment, 29 undergraduates received scholarships for the fall semester.

Clean, green, affordable and reliable – former New Jersey Governor and EPA administrator and current co-chair of the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition (CASEnergy) Christine Todd Whitman espoused the benefits of nuclear power in a talk to more than 200 students, faculty, staff and industry leaders on Thursday, Nov. 14, at UNC Charlotte’s Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC). Alumnus and North Carolina Representative Mike Hager, who serves on several legislative environmental and energy committees, also attended the forum.

Christopher Blanchette, associate dean for research in the College of Health and Human Services, has been appointed editor-in-chief of the journal Drugs in Context. This is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal that focuses on the practice of medicine.
As editor, Blanchette will play a role in the journal’s mission, which is to make an academic contribution to international life science and to inform and motivate improvements to the practice of medicine.

Nationally, UNC Charlotte is one of the top producers of Fulbright Scholars, according to a recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education.
This is a significant achievement, ranking UNC Charlotte alongside other major research institutions, such as the University of California Berkeley, University of Georgia and University of Michigan. But it’s not a surprise either, said Joël Gallegos, assistant provost for international programs.

In recognition of his efforts to promote diversity, chemistry professor Daniel Rabinovich will be recognized this week by the American Chemistry Society’s Committee on Minority Affairs.

During a recent four-week project, local middle and high school students had a chance to experience the life of an engineer.

John Allemeier, associate professor of composition in the Department of Music, and associate professor of English Aimee Parkison are among 15 artists across the state who received a 2013-14 North Carolina Arts Council Artist Fellowship Award in the categories of songwriting, composing and writing.
Fellowships are awarded to artists to support creative development and the creation of new work. Recipients were selected by panels comprised of artists and arts professionals with expertise in each discipline. 

Jillian Tullis, a faculty member in the Department of Communication Studies, is one of the organizers of a “Death Café” that will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Respite: A Centre for Grief and Hope.
According to an article in the Charlotte Observer, Tullis is co-facilitating the café in conjunction with gerontologist Lynn Hare. Their goal is “to create a safe, respectful place to stimulate conversation on death and dying and also offer community resources for those in need of further support.”

Junior Kendyl Messer is the inaugural recipient of the Daisy Pearl Pugh Urban Scholarship. The honor was presented during Tuesday’s CONE-vocation in the Cone University Center Lucas Room.
Rob Urban, the son of the scholarship’s namesake, announced the recipient, who is a nursing major and student employee. A Charlotte native, Messer is a building manager for the Cone Center. She noted that during her two years as a student worker, she has learned the importance of building relationships, and she said she values the leadership experience her job affords.

Aimee Parkison will share the story behind the captivating, imaginative book “The Innocent Party” at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, in the Cone University Center, McKnight Hall, as part of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Personally Speaking series. (Note this is a location change from the previously reported J. Murrey Atkins Library).