General News

UNC Charlotte journalism students won a 2014 Mark of Excellence Award from the Society of Professional Journalists at the SPJ Region 2 conference held at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism.

The students received “Best Independent Online Student Publication” for a website created from student work for the 2014 course “Covering Poverty in America,” conceptualized and taught by senior lecturer Cheryl Spainhour.

Three military veterans will begin earning their master’s degrees at UNC Charlotte aided by substantial awards provided by the University’s Graduate School. The funding, called assistantships, will cover tuition and health insurance, plus a $12,000 annual stipend. Total value of each assistantship is roughly $36,000. The awards require the students to aid professors in their departments with research and teaching.

The Advisory Committee to the Chancellor for Employee Health and Wellness (ACCEHW) is partnering with the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and the Healthy Charlotte Council to promote healthy living throughout Charlotte. 

UNC Charlotte’s Botanical Gardens will celebrate the opening of the Mellichamp Native Terrace Garden with a ribbon-cutting and self-guided tours from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, May 31.

Doctoral student Hannah Peach and master’s candidate Jessica Morton are the 2015 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award recipients, presented by the Graduate School and Center for Graduate Life.

The honor recognizes one doctoral and one master’s student who were nominated by their faculty supervisors for their work as teaching assistants. These separate awards allow UNC Charlotte to recognize the different types of tasks and demands placed upon graduate teaching assistants at their respective level.

The Charlotte Research Institute and the Research and Economic Development Office will host an open house to celebrate the University’s expanded space at the N.C. Research Campus from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 20.

A number of UNC Charlotte officials are scheduled to attend this event at the David Murdock Core Laboratory Building, Suite 3333. RSVPs are requested by Thursday, May 14; email Clare Faggart (clarefaggart@uncc.edu).

Faculty, staff and students interested in construction projects that are planned for or are ongoing in campus buildings can utilize a new online communications tool – the UNC Charlotte Facilities Conditions Customer View Map.

The website map provides a color-coded Facilities Condition Index (FCI) about each campus building (Firefox or Google Chrome are recommended browsers for the website).

Internal auditing is an important aspect of organizational governance, internal control and effective risk management at virtually any enterprise. Each May, the Institute of Internal Auditors promotes the profession of internal auditing. Professionals in the field of auditing work to raise awareness of internal auditing and its value, not only in May but throughout the year.

Tom York, director of internal audit for the University, stated the role of internal auditors is misperceived with audit professionals viewed as fault-finders, blame-layers or bureaucrats.

When the Barnhardt Student Activity Center (SAC) Fitness Center reopens this fall, students and visitors will enjoy new equipment and increased workout space. Starting Thursday, May 7, the fitness center will close for summer renovations. It is expected to reopen in August.

Additional features will include an expanded check-in and welcome area, improved lighting and increased accessibility. Private showers will be added to the men’s locker room, and both locker rooms will have private dressing areas.

Solomon Franklin is enthusiastic about making a difference, not only at UNC Charlotte but in the greater community.

A member of the 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte Inc., Franklin mentors two young men, one in middle school, the other is in high school. He also is on the organization’s board of directors as chief operating officer.