University Advancement

Niles Sorensen is the 2022 Outstanding Fundraising Executive Award recipient as presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Charlotte Chapter at its National Philanthropy Day luncheon held at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown.

Adam Wassell, director of development for the College of Health and Human Services, has been named the interim executive director of alumni engagement. Prior to joining UNC Charlotte last year, Wassell served as senior development officer for the PIKE Foundation; he has more than a decade of experience in alumni affairs, fundraising and management experience. 

He succeeds Sallie Sistare, who recently left the University. 

A national search for a permanent executive director will begin immediately.

“Thanks are due to the entire campus for the incredible work supporting the updated branding this past academic year. From students to the broader community, we’ve received positive feedback and our logo is increasingly prominent and visible. As we continue to strengthen the University’s profile, having this strong and cohesive identity will help further build brand equity,” said Beth Crigler, interim vice chancellor for the Division of University Advancement. 

Several related updates are planned for the 2022-23 academic year:

Penny Hawkins has been named interim associate vice chancellor for development at UNC Charlotte. In this role, she will provide strategic vision to oversee the University’s fundraising function. Hawkins began her duties July 15, succeeding Beth Crigler, who was appointed interim vice chancellor for university advancement.

Beth Derrick Crigler has been appointed interim vice chancellor for university advancement at UNC Charlotte. In this role, she will be responsible for leading development, alumni engagement, advancement operations, constituent relations, university events and university communications.

Bank of America is strengthening its long-standing partnership with UNC Charlotte to support student success and upward mobility for the Charlotte region.

This partnership will focus on building better lives and communities through opportunity and workforce development.

Niles F. Sorensen, vice chancellor for the Division of University Advancement and president of the UNC Charlotte Foundation since 2006, will retire in December 2022. 

Jeb Bush, 43rd governor of Florida and candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, and Janet Napolitano, professor of public policy and director of the new Center for Security in Politics at University of California, Berkeley, will deliver the 11th annual Chancellor’s Speaker Series presentation, which is part of the annual UNC Charlotte Civic Series.

UNC Charlotte faculty and staff volunteered at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina Sort-A-Rama held at the Charlotte Convention Center Thursday, Oct. 14. The University co-sponsored the event.“Thank you to the Second Harvest Food bank team for hosting this volunteer event and for bringing together local organizations and community members to help fight food insecurity in our city,” said Mark Colone, senior director of development at UNC Charlotte. “As a University founded on the very principle of service to others, we are proud to be a sponsor of this year’s Sort-A-Rama.”