General News

For his commitment to democratic ideals, humanistic values and literary excellence in Africa, Tanure Ojaide, UNC Charlotte’s Frank Graham Porter Professor of Africana Studies, has won the Fonlon-Nichols Award.

Ojaide will receive the prestigious honor at the 42nd annual African Literature Association (ALA) conference in Atlanta, scheduled for April 6-9. The thematic focus of the conference is “Justice and Human Dignity in Africa and the African Diaspora.”

Schnavia Hatcher is the inaugural director of the School of Social Work in the College of Health and Human Services.

Hatcher will begin her position with the University in early August. She will join UNC Charlotte from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she serves as a tenured professor in the School of Social Work and director of the Center for African American Studies.

Chancellor Philip L. Dubois will hold an interactive discussion with the student body at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 1, in the Student Union Rotunda.  The annual “Chancellor’s Lunchtime Student Talk” is an opportunity for students to discuss current issues facing the University and direct questions to the chancellor and campus administrators.

Following the chancellor’s remarks, Student Body President Mitch Daratony will deliver his “State of the University” address.

Free food will be provided.

UNC Charlotte’s gold and silver anniversary Classes of 1966 and 1991 will be in the spotlight for the first Alumniner Weekend, but this event will be an opportunity for all alumni and their family and friends to return to campus, too.

Scheduled for Friday, April 8, through Sunday, April 10, Alumniner Weekend will include reunions for Greek organizations, the Student Government Association and student media participants.

Eric Heberlig, a professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, will lead a public conversation about his book on congressional fundraising, the Citizens United court case and their implications for the 2016 presidential race at a Personally Speaking lecture on Thursday, March 10.

The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) bestowed grand champion status on two initiatives led by the offices of University Communications and Alumni Affairs in the Division of University Advancement. The projects were chosen the best from among more than 1,000 competing entries.

The video “Big Ideas, Big Future” and Niner Connection, a redesigned online community for UNC Charlotte alumni, were named Grand Award winners during the recent CASE District III conference in Nashville.

Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, was born March 2, 1904, and in honor of his birthday, UNC Charlotte will hold its annual Seuss-a-thon from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 5, at Park Road Books, 4139 Park Road.

During this event, area educators and literacy advocates will read Dr. Seuss books aloud to children in a marathon fashion for four continuous hours. Children will have opportunities to participate in Dr. Seuss-related craft projects.

The Charlotte Teachers Institute (CTI) will host an open house for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) teachers from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 25, at UNC Charlotte Center City. Interested CMS teachers from all subject areas in grades preK-12 can register online for this event.

The Harlem Globetrotters will bring their family show to Halton Arena for two performances on Saturday, March 26, during the team’s 90th anniversary world tour. Game times are 2 and 7 p.m.

Kelly Northey from enrollment management and Stephanie Stewart with the English Language Training Institute recently received prizes for their participation in the Wellness Points program sponsored by the Advisory Committee to the Chancellor for Employee Health and Wellness (ACCEHW).

Northey won a UNC Charlotte hooded sweatshirt, and Stewart earned a UNC Charlotte T-shirt. They also received Smoothie King coupons and gift cards.