Student Life

UNC Charlotte alumnus Dylan McKnight (’13M) recently received the Marvin Collins Outstanding Planning Award at the N.C. Planning Conference Awards Luncheon.

McKnight was honored in the graduate student project category for his work on the Reid Park Vision Plan, which was completed as part of his capstone project toward master’s degrees in urban design and community planning. The project involved planning and designing an 18-acre neighborhood park and greenway. The first phase is expected to break ground in January.

A leader in girls’ education, Molly Barker will present “Putting Your Passion to Work” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the Student Union Movie Theater.

Barker founded Girls on the Run in 1996 in Charlotte. A four-time Hawaii Ironman triathlete, she used her background in social work, counseling and teaching, along with research on adolescent issues, to develop the program. Currently, there are Girls on the Run councils in more than 210 cities across North America. They reach 200,000-plus girls and women each year.

College students can experience stress brought on by academics or personal circumstances. Knowing where to turn to for support is critical.

The UNC Charlotte Counseling Center, located in Atkins Building, Room 158, offers a variety of programming to address academic, emotional, psychological and interpersonal development challenges faced by college students.

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) will host a screening of the documentary/comedy “The Muslims are Coming!” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct.29, in the Cone University Center After Hours Lounge.

Afterward, there will be a discussion with the director and one of the comedians featured in the documentary.

UNC Charlotte’s Title IX Office, the Center for Wellness Promotion and Dean of Students Office, in conjunction with the Feminist Union, will present the four-part series “Forty IX’ers: Know Your Title IX.” The series will offer panel discussions, resources and additional learning opportunities related to Title IX and the Violence Against Women Act (also called Campus SaVE).

UNC Charlotte students interested in solving community social problems are invited to form teams to compete at the 2015 University of North Carolina Social Entrepreneurship Conference.The competition is open to teams of up to 10 members, including UNC Charlotte students and community representatives. Teams must be led by either undergraduate or graduate students in the competition, which will be held in February 2015. Statewide winners will receive cash prizes.

The Office of Parent and Family Services and the Alumni Association invite Niner Nation family members to the 2014 Fall Family Festival on Saturday, Nov. 15.

“The Office of Parent and Family Services is excited for the Niner Nation family to have a second opportunity to attend a 49ers tailgate and football game,” said Kesha Williams, assistant director for parent and family services. “We are expecting an even bigger crowd then Family Weekend.” 

Ventriloquist Lynn Trefzger will perform at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6, in the Student Union. This free, public event is sponsored by the Campus Activities Board.

For more than 30 years, Trefzger has “given life” to a trunk full of comical characters in her performances worldwide to corporations, colleges, theatres and aboard cruise ships. Her vocal illusion talents introduce audiences to characters, such as a drunken, yet lovable camel; a grumpy old man; and a feisty little girl. Members of the audience often are selected to come on stage and participate in the routine.

UNC Charlotte has created an on-campus food pantry, located in the Colvard Building, Room 3135, to benefit off-campus students who may have need. A recent national study showed an unexpectedly large number of college students are unable to find or afford nutritious food.

“As a University, we are deeply committed to fostering the best education possible, and that starts with making sure our students are eating nutritious meals consistently,” said Sean Langley, food pantry program co-founder and assistant director of off-campus and volunteer outreach.

Interactive a capella duo Dakaboom will perform at 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 27, in the Student Union Rotunda as part of “Union Unplugged.”

Described as postmodern vaudeville, Dakaboom is a music-and-comedy duo from New York and Los Angeles.

Long-time best friends Ben McLain and Paul Peglar comprise Dakaboom; the two utilize a cappella, loop stations, stand-up, sketch, crowd interaction and several musical genres to create a world all their own.