General News

Research shows wastewater treatment may be creating new antibiotics
For years scientists have been aware of the potential problems of antibiotics being present in wastewater, and the research of engineering professor Olya Keen is showing that treatments to clean wastewater may actually be creating new antibiotics and further contributing to the development of antibiotic resistance in the environment.

Former DHHS official to lead UNC Pembroke
Robin Gary Cummings, M.D., deputy secretary for health services and state Medicaid director for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, was elected chancellor of UNC Pembroke by the Board of Governors of the 17-campus University of North Carolina.

Gilliam named chancellor of UNC Greensboro
Franklin Gilliam Jr., dean of the Luskin School of Public Affairs at the University of California, Los Angeles, has been elected chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro by the Board of Governors of the 17-campus University of North Carolina.

$300K NSF award to accelerate commercialization, train students
The UNC Charlotte proposal for a Ventureprise Charlotte Launch program was selected as an NSF I-Corps Site in a nationally competitive solicitation by the National Science Foundation. The selection also designates UNC Charlotte as one of 36 universities that are part of the NSF National Innovation Network.

Harris Alumni Center selected for UNC presidential search session
UNC Charlotte will host a regional input session on Monday, June 1, to enable the campus community and the public to provide feedback into the search process for the next UNC system president.
The UNC Board of Governors has started a search for UNC President Tom Ross’ successor; Ross will step down in January 2016.

Moore Place researcher honored by alma mater
Social work professor Lori Thomas recently was recognized as one of the top young alumni of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
Thomas is a member of VCU’s 2015 “10 Under 10” class. The honor recognizes alumni who received their first VCU degree in the last 10 years and who have achieved professional success, made important contributions to their community and supported the university.
The recognition is humbling, said Thomas, but “I know my work isn’t close to done. The award has energized me to continue my scholarship and community work in homelessness.”

How the Internal Audit Department decides which units to audit
The annual audit planning process takes into account a number of factors to determine which campus units will be visited.
Julie Earls, an internal auditor in the Internal Audit Department, stated, “Our internal audit professional standards require UNC Charlotte’s chief audit officer to establish a risk-based audit plan that considers the University’s goals. In other words, what could keep the University from achieving its objectives?”
The audit plan is a direct result of a risk assessment, she added.

‘Real Talk’ conversation to address being black, male and gay
The conversation “I am a Man! Black, Male and Gay” will be at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 21, at UNC Charlotte Center City. It is the final installment of the year-long series of candid community discussions on the relevance of the American black male in the 21st century.

Botanical Gardens to hold ‘Seeds and Sprouts’
The UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens will offer the plant exploration class for children “Seeds and Sprouts” from 1:30 to 3 p.m., Sunday, May 24, at the McMillan Greenhouse.
Children will learn about how seeds “know” when to sprout and what happens when they do. This workshop is for children age 4 to 8. The cost is $5, and space is limited to 12 participants.
Adults must accompany children to the program, and participation is welcome. Email Paula Gross (pmgross@uncc.edu) to attend.

Business professors to appear on May 21 ‘Live Wire’
Ted Amato, director of the Belk Scholars and Business Honors Programs in the Belk College of Business, and Craig Depken II, program dDirector for the Master of Science in Economics program, will be guests on the May 21 edition of “The Live Wire,” Inside UNC Charlotte’s streaming webcast. They will discuss the college’s Belk Scholars Program in Business Analytics.
“The Live Wire” can be viewed on desktop computers or mobile devices starting at 2 p.m.