General News

The 2016 UNC Charlotte Distinguished Service Award was presented on Friday, June 3, to Ronald R. (Ron) Kimble, deputy city manager for the city of Charlotte.

The presentation was made during a luncheon in the Student Union.

In honoring Kimble, UNC Charlotte Chancellor Philip L. Dubois said he personifies the purpose of the award, which honors individuals who are devoted community servants and selfless in their dedication to the betterment of Charlotte and the greater region.

Throughout her time at UNC Charlotte, Provost Joan Lorden has constantly sought to bridge community needs with University assets. The results of her outstanding work are being recognized with the William M. Plater Award for Leadership in Civic Engagement from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

Jeffrey Leak, professor of English, is among 25 candidates selected to participate in the first class of the Emerging Leaders program of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

UNC Charlotte was the location for a recently released Bojangles’ online commercial filmed on campus as part of the restaurant chain’s #RandomActsofBo campaign.

Filmed May 11 in the quad between the College of Health and Human Services and the College of Education, the video captures Bojangles’ volunteers surprising unsuspecting students with free chicken and tea during finals week.

Toward the end of the academic year, as students prepared to depart residence halls for home, the Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling implemented operation “Move Out.”

A multi-year effort by Department of Educational Leadership Professor Debra Morris has significantly improved instruction and faculty development at the Charlotte Islamic Academy, according to that organization’s leadership.

The academy contacted Morris in 2012 to seek help with classroom observation and professional development. In the years since, she has led efforts to set up a beginning teacher’s support program and assisted the school in establishing a relationship with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to facilitate teacher licensure.

Curt Walton is interim associate provost for Metropolitan Studies and Extended Academic Programs. In addition to this role, he will continue to serve as executive-in-residence with teaching and advising responsibilities in the Master of Public Administration program and as liaison with the city of Charlotte, University City Partners and the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.

The renovation project for Holshouser Residence Hall, which reopened in 2015, has received a 2016 Star Award from the Construction Professionals Network (CPN) of North Carolina.

The honor, presented at CPN’s 17th annual conference in May, recognizes and promotes professionalism and excellence in “star quality” projects. The University received the award for projects that totaled between $10 million and $25 million.

Tyler Sytsma recently joined UNC Charlotte as the University sustainability coordinator. A member of the Facilities Management Department, Sytsma will handle various projects that involve offices/departments across campus.

Lee Perkins has been a full-time UNC Charlotte employee for 10 years, but his association with the University began as a student.

The Asheville native enrolled as a prospective engineering major but later completed a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the Belk College of Business.

And today, he works for the college as a technical support analyst after beginning in the Office of Classroom Support.