College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Glenn Boreman, chair of the Department of Physics and Optical Science, recently was named the 2015 vice president of SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, effective Jan. 1.
Boreman also is director of UNC Charlotte’s Center for Optoelectronics and Optical Communications and co-founder and chairman of the board of Plasmonics, Inc. His research interests include infrared detectors and systems, infrared antennas and frequency-selective surfaces, image-quality characterization and modulation transfer function.

Scott Fitzgerald, a faculty member in the Sociology Department and co-author of “Middle Class Meltdown in America: Causes, Consequences and Remedies,” will be a guest on WFAE “Charlotte Talks” at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 16. Join the conversation.

“Can the Police Search Your Cell Phone?” is the topic for the annual Constitution Day panel discussion scheduled for 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 17, in Cone University Center, McKnight Hall.

History, politics and social traditions can influence what people eat. Foodies, farmers, educators and advocates will explore “farm to table” and sustainability questions during the community discussion “Soul Food: A Contemporary and Historical Exploration of New South Food” on Thursday, Oct. 2, at UNC Charlotte Center City.

The Belk Foundation recently awarded Charlotte Teachers (CTI) Institute a grant for the fifth consecutive year, this time for $25,000 to support seminars serving 100-plus teachers in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). CTI is an innovative, educational partnership among UNC Charlotte, Davidson College and CMS designed to strengthen teaching and learning in CMS by cultivating content knowledge, creativity, leadership skills and collaboration among teachers. 

Debra Smith, associate professor of Africana studies, is among the five finalists for one of UNC Charlotte’s top honors – the Bank of America Award for Teaching Excellence. The recipient of this award will be revealed at a special ceremony on Friday, Sept.

A new garden in the works at UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens will  blend southeastern native flora, sustainable practices and smart home landscape design in a 1/5-acre showplace that will add to the diversity of these public gardens.

America’s middle class is suffering an economic meltdown that threatens the sector of society long considered the nation’s bedrock. UNC Charlotte author and researcher Scott Fitzgerald will dissect these troubles and explore ways to regain prosperity, in the first talk of UNC Charlotte’s Personally Speaking series for 2014-15.
This free community talk is set for 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 18, at UNC Charlotte Center City. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and Atkins Library present this series, which is marking its fifth season.

The First Citizens Bank Scholars Medal Committee is soliciting nominations for the 2015 award. This award recognizes outstanding scholarship, creativity and/or research among senior full-time faculty members. Each year the University with support from First Citizens Bank presents this award in order to recognize and foster the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and creative endeavors.

Fumie Kato, a faculty member in the Department of Languages and Culture Studies, is among the five finalists for one of UNC Charlotte’s top honors – the Bank of America Award for Teaching Excellence.