Student Life

Week of Welcome (WOW) is an annual tradition and helps the University kick off the academic year with opportunities for social engagement and campus involvement. More than 60 events will take place between Friday, Aug. 21, and Sunday, Aug. 30.

The focus of WOW is to celebrate #NinerPride and welcome all new and returning students to campus and will offer various opportunities for engagement within the UNC Charlotte community, said Emily Jensen, associate director for new student services and family services in the Division for Student Affairs.

Charlotte Pride honors outstanding individuals each year with the “Champions of Pride Awards” in recognition of their demonstrated exemplary work and dedication to the LGBTQ community. This year, Josh Burford, assistant director for sexual and gender diversity in the Multicultural Resource Center, was honored with the Charlotte Pride “Harvey Milk Award.”

Fifteen young leaders from high schools across the United States, including 11 from North Carolina, have been named to the sixth class of UNC Charlotte’s Levine Scholars Program. They will join the University starting with the fall 2015 semester.

When the Barnhardt Student Activity Center (SAC) Fitness Center reopens this fall, students and visitors will enjoy new equipment and increased workout space. Starting Thursday, May 7, the fitness center will close for summer renovations. It is expected to reopen in August.

Additional features will include an expanded check-in and welcome area, improved lighting and increased accessibility. Private showers will be added to the men’s locker room, and both locker rooms will have private dressing areas.

The Student Union and the Office of Student Activities are teaming up to provide a variety of stress-relieving activities to encourage student success throughout final exams from Thursday, April 30, through Wednesday, May 6.

Students can enjoy activities such as Donut Stress, Game Day, Spa Day, Puppy Therapy, Coffee Break, a Zumba Glow Party and a Disney movie marathon.

The events scheduled are:

Thursday, April 30

8 to 10 a.m., Donut Stress, Student Union Rotunda

The sixth annual Study Abroad Student Photo Exhibit will be displayed Monday, April 27, through Sunday, May 10, in the Student Union. An opening reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 29.

The exhibit features photography taken by UNC Charlotte students while they were abroad; photos were submitted in four categories: self-portrait, defining moment, landscape and portrait.

For more information, visit the Student Union Gallery and the Office of Education Abroad.

On Thursday, April 23, the Multicultural Resource Center will sponsor a “Countdown to AIDS Walk” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Student Union to sign up individuals to participate in Charlotte’s annual AIDS Walk, scheduled for Saturday, May 2.

The April 23 event will include music and entertainment, along with interactive HIV educational displays and presentations.

Golfers will tee off for a good cause at the “On the Green” tournament, which has a 1 p.m. shotgun start Friday, April 24, at the Tradition Club in Charlotte.

All proceeds from this annual event support the P.J. Briggs Scholarship fund. Registration for the tournament is limited to 144 spots and is open through Wednesday, April 15.

Event participants will receive range balls, entry to the putting contest, lunch and a “goody” bag. At the event, there will be prize drawings, contests and raffles.

Matthew Vines will present “God and the Gay Christian” at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 8, in the Student Union Theater. The Multicultural Resource Center is sponsoring this free, public event.

Vines is an advocate for the acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people within Christian communities and in society at large. He attended Harvard University from 2008-10, then took a leave of absence in order to research the Bible and homosexuality and work toward LGBT inclusion in the church.

The Center for Wellness Promotion and the Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Education Committee will host the annual Take Back the Night at 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 15, in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center.