University Advancement

Judy Lekoski has joined UNC Charlotte as the major gifts officer for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. In this role, she is leading the private fundraising for the University’s largest and most diverse college.

“We have many opportunities for telling the stories of our college and for connecting donors with their philanthropic goals,” said Nancy Gutierrez, dean of the college. “We are excited about moving ahead with those opportunities, and we know Judy will be a tremendous leader in those efforts.”

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education has recognized UNC Charlotte with an international Bronze Circle of Excellence Award in the news and research video category for a segment about the University’s archaeological excavation at Mount Zion.

UNC Charlotte was the location for a recently released Bojangles’ online commercial filmed on campus as part of the restaurant chain’s #RandomActsofBo campaign.

Filmed May 11 in the quad between the College of Health and Human Services and the College of Education, the video captures Bojangles’ volunteers surprising unsuspecting students with free chicken and tea during finals week.

Raises for state employees and enrollment growth funding for the UNC system are among the measures included in the N.C. House of Representatives budget, slated for a final vote May 19. The state Senate is working on its budget, which is expected to be released by May 27.

For state workers, the N.C. House budget proposes a 2 percent salary increase with a one-time $500 bonus for all employees. The UNC system would receive $31 million in funding for enrollment growth, of this, UNC Charlotte would get about $8.6 million.

 In recognition of national Small Business Week, Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) toured UNC Charlotte’s Partnership, Outreach and Research to Accelerate Learning (PORTAL) facility on Wednesday, May 4. During her visit, she met with Robert Wilhelm, vice chancellor for research and economic development; Paul Wetenhall, president of Ventureprise; and Henry Rock, executive director of City Startup Labs.

UNC Charlotte is a vibrant, expanding institution, and the University is making plans for another transformational jewel in its crown.

 The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) LYNX Blue Line Extension (BLE) is an approximately nine-mile addition to the Queen City’s existing light rail service that will connect UNC Charlotte Center City and the main campus. There will be two stations that will provide service to the University. 

The mid-1990s heralded a new Latino South, during which the Charlotte region became a destination for Latino migration. This wave shows no sign of cresting and is expected to continue as a major demographic trend for years to come.

The Dale F. Halton Arena opened Dec. 2, 1996, as a state-of-the-art facility intended to showcase sporting events and major functions. It honors a generous University supporter whose name also graces a reading room in Atkins Library and the tennis complex.

Halton is the granddaughter of Henry Barksdale Fowler, the founder of Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Charlotte, which was established in 1905 as the nation’s first Pepsi franchise. At the time, Charlotte had a population of about 15,000.

Faculty and staff members are invited to join colleagues for socializing and networking at a Faculty and Staff Social, which will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 6, at Hauser Alumni Pavilion.

Sponsored by Chancellor Philip L. Dubois, the social will feature light hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and soft drinks. Register to attend online.

UNC Charlotte donors’ contributions have significant impact that benefit the campus; students recently acknowledged their efforts during “Green with Gratitude.”