General News

Several faculty and alumni in the College of Arts + Architecture have been recognized in the 2023 “Best in the Nest” Awards presented by Charlotte independent weekly newspaper Queen City Nerve. Covering a wide range of categories, the annual awards include both critics’ and readers’ picks.

UNC Charlotte remembers Charlotte business leader and philanthropist Wayland H. Cato Jr., who died Saturday, Nov. 4. Cato, 100, received an honorary doctorate in 2002 and was a longtime advocate for education. 

Seven current College of Arts + Architecture faculty members are among recent grant recipients from the Arts & Science Council. They earned Artist Support Grants, which fund professional and artistic development for emerging and established artists to enhance their skills and abilities to create work or to improve their business operations and capacity to bring their work to new audiences.

The 2024 ASC grant recipients are:

Sophie Tanker is a senior and early entry master’s student at UNC Charlotte who is studying computer science with a concentration in bioinformatics and a minor in mathematics. She recently interned at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick. As it’s time for students to explore internships, read about Tanker’s experience, what she learned, and how she is using her experience at UNC Charlotte. 

What was your role at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick? What types of projects did you work on?

Samara Gibson is pursuing a master’s degree in public health with a concentration in physical activity and nutrition. As a graduate assistant for the Jamil Niner Student Pantry, she has found a meaningful way to contribute to the well-being of her fellow students. Join Gibson in supporting the pantry as part of the University’s #GivingTuesday initiative.  

Stocking With Care

For Giving Tuesday, UNC Charlotte is fighting food insecurity by supporting the Jamil Niner Student Pantry and Niner University Elementary. Join Niner Nation in stocking the shelves through this virtual food drive. 

Thanksgiving is a time to think about what and who we’re grateful for. There are so many people who make UNC Charlotte special. See who fellow Niners are thankful for on campus.  

Notes to facilities crew: 

To: The Janitorial Staff 
From: Anonymous 
“Thank you so much for keeping our campus clean and safe! Your assistance and hard work does not go unnoticed.”

As a creative writer, I am always on the prowl for a good story.

“With Thanksgiving approaching, gratitude would be a good subject,” I thought. “Better yet, the psychology of gratefulness.”

It seemed like an appropriate subject for the season. I went on my merry way, researching and reaching out to experts. I already mapped out how the article would look and feel but threw those plans out the window when I started talking to Sara Levens. Instead, I learned something far more valuable. 

Emmanuelle Olavarria-Torres and Sarah Tesar are displaying tenacity and perseverance to fulfill their dream of earning a college degree.

The Nouveau Sud Project, the urban circus initiative founded by Associate Professor of Theatre CarlosAlexis Cruz, is a recipient of a 2023 Knight Art + Tech Expansion Fund from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Nouveau Sud is one of 22 Charlotte-based artists and arts organizations to receive funds in 2023.