General News

Amal Khoury, an assistant professor in the Department of Global, International and Area Studies, will discuss the shifting alliances in the Middle East at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 10, at UNC Charlotte Center City, Room 204. This talk is part of the 2016 Great Decisions Lecture Series, sponsored by the Office of International Programs.

Khoury specializes in peace and conflict studies with an area focus on the Middle East. She is the co-author of “Unity in Diversity: Interfaith Dialogue in the Middle East.”

A daylong conference will bring top experts to UNC Charlotte’s campus to discuss strategies to serve veterans transitioning from active military to civilian lives.

“Military Culture: Have You Ever Served?” is free and open to the public and will be held Tuesday, March 1, at the UNC Charlotte Student Union.

National and state experts, students, faculty, service providers and members of the general public will join in a dialogue on military culture and the need to join forces to support veterans.

Professional tennis player and North Carolina native John Isner is bringing his annual Ebix Charity Challenge to UNC Charlotte’s Halton Arena on Thursday, Feb. 4. Tickets for general admission start at $35; discounted tickets for UNC Charlotte faculty and staff start at $10. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the exhibition starts at 7:30 p.m.

More than 215 employers are expected in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center for this year’s Spring Career Expo on Friday, Feb. 19. Representatives from corporate, government and nonprofit organizations will attend to recruit UNC Charlotte students and alumni for full-time positions, internships and co-ops at this annual event.

UNC Charlotte and the University of Colorado Denver are engaging in a social media contest to determine which city has the most hometown pride.

The two, urban research institutions dressed their mascots in NFL gear and are vying for the most “likes,” “shares” and “comments” on Facebook.

Jing Xiao, professor of computer science in the College of Computing and Informatics, is one of two recipients of the 2016 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Robotics and Automation Society Distinguished Service Award.

The honor recognizes individuals who have performed outstanding services to benefit the advancement of the IEE Robotics and Automation Society.

“This is a very prestigious award in the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society,” said Xiao. “I am truly honored and also humbled to receive it.”

Kathy Reichs, a forensic anthropologist and author who is on leave from her position as an adjunct professor with UNC Charlotte, is listed as one of the “30 Most Innovative Women Professors Alive Today,” according to the website “The Best Master’s Degrees.”

The female professors listed were chosen “based upon their individual successes in various fields,” and each “has done something new and different for their respective field.”

“Orchid Care 101,” a lunch-and-learn event sponsored by the Botanical Gardens, will provide tips on growing these fascinating, beautiful plants.

Attendees should bring their lunch and join John Denti, orchid curator, as he provides instructions on how to care for several common types of orchids from noon to 1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11, in the McMillan Greenhouse classroom. Email Paula Gross (pmgross@uncc.edu) to reserve a spot.

The University Botanical Gardens’ annual Valentine’s Orchid Sale will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 11-13, at the McMillan Greenhouse.

This yearly event is a popular one with the community, according to Paula Gross, assistant director of the Botanical Gardens.

“During the sale, we invite you to stroll through the McMillan Greenhouse to soak in the warmth and fragrance of our display collections, ask questions of the experts, then choose from a select variety of healthy blooming orchids well-suited to the home environment.”

The Charlotte Research Scholars (CRS) program, a summer experience for high-achieving students, is accepting applications for summer 2016.