Academic Affairs

University leaders, governmental officials, business and industry partners and members of the greater community were on campus Friday, Feb. 28, for the formal dedication of the PORTAL building, a facility developed to harness the power of UNC Charlotte to stimulate business growth and job creation.

James Currie recently joined UNC Charlotte as the associate director for PORTAL. He comes to the University from Ohio State University, where he was program director for industry engagement and economic development for the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.

UNC Charlotte’s new PORTAL building is the latest example of the University’s commitment to foster partnerships with private industry. The facility was designed to stimulate business growth and job creation along with promoting research and innovation.
The four-story, 96,000-square-foot,  PORTAL building, which sits on a prominent site at the Tryon Street entrance of the Charlotte Research Institute campus, will be formally dedicated on Feb. 28.

Johan Enslin, director of the Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC), will discuss energy independence at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19, in UNC Charlotte Center City, Room 204, as part of the 2014 Great Decisions lecture series. Prior to his talk, Enslin will be recognized at a reception as part of the UNC Charlotte observance of Engineers Week.
Recently named a 2014 Energy Leadership Award recipient by the Charlotte Business Journal, Enslin was recognized for his efforts to make the Carolinas a global force in the energy sector..

Faculty and EPA staff may be familiar with the cumbersome and sometimes confusing paper process involved with submitting their Conflict of Interest (COI) Disclosures that are required annually by University Policy 102.2 “Conflicts of Interest and Commitment.” For the fall 2014 disclosure submission cycle, this paper process will be a thing of the past.

James Walsh, associate professor and associate chair of political science and public administration, will discuss defense technology at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 5, in UNC Charlotte Center City, Room 204, as part of the 2014 Great Decisions lecture series.
Walsh’s research and teaching interests also include international human rights, national security policy and European integration. Currently, he is studying the relationships between terrorist attacks and human rights abuses and is completing a book on the politics of international intelligence sharing.

Barry Rowan recently joined the University as conflict of interest manager in the Research and Economic Development Department.
In coming to UNC Charlotte, Rowan brings solid experience in a number of areas related to research compliance from the Office of Research at the University of California Santa Barbara. Before that, he spent 10 years as laboratory manager in oceanography and cancer research facilities.

Commencement brings to mind the culmination of one’s academic journey—it also marks a beginning. It is the start of that next chapter, either undertaking advanced studies or entering the workforce. In either case, it is a cause for celebration.
Approximately 3,400 students, along with their families, friends and others, will gather for fall 2013 commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 14, in Halton Arena, located in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center.

As part of the recent campus celebration of International Education Week, the Mu chapter of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars held its 26th annual meeting and member induction ceremony. Forty new faculty, staff and student members were inducted, and the World Affairs Council of Charlotte received a 2013 honorary membership.

New members were recognized for their excellence in international research, international study and for contributions to the internationalization of UNC Charlotte and the larger Charlotte community. 

More than 50 homeless individuals normally served through the Urban Ministry Center (UMC) were fed recently during the second annual potluck luncheon hosted by UNC Charlotte Center City.
“Faculty and staff members brought in savory and sweet home-cooked items for our neighbors at the Urban Ministry Center,” said Donell Stines-Jones, community outreach coordinator at UNC Charlotte Center City.  She added employees volunteered to serve attendees, and area businesses were solicited for donations of toiletries and clothing items, such as soap, shampoo and socks.