University Advancement

Billy Johnson, a graduate assistant in chemistry, speaks to the need for more lab space to better educate students.

Myron Macklin, a graphic designer in the Office of University Communications, was selected by Mark Millar to collaborate in the creation of a charity comic book.

Miller, the writer behind the Kingsman, Kick-Ass and Jupiter’s Circle series, sponsored the international contest. Six artists, six writers and a cover artist were selected to use Millar’s characters in the creation of the charity comic scheduled to be released later this year.

Betty Doster, special assistant to the chancellor for constituent relations, was included on the Charlotte Business Journal’s list of behind-the-scenes newsmakers of 2015.

According to the CBJ, victories in the General Assembly for colleges and for larger cities such as Charlotte have been rare since a Republican majority shifted the state’s emphasis toward cutting taxes and tightening budgets. Among the notable exceptions: UNC Charlotte, which Gov. Pat McCrory included in his $2 billion bond proposal that goes before voters on March 15.

Bernadette Donovan-Merkert, chair of the Chemistry Department, discusses the need for increased lab space for the sciences; the Connect NC bond would provide funding for a new science building at UNC Charlotte.

Bonnie Cone’s passion, vision and commitment, and even her shovel, helped establish an institution of higher education in Charlotte.

UNC Charlotte and TIAA-CREF have a history of partnering on community engagement projects in support of students at Governor’s Village Schools – recently the two institutions expanded their efforts to address food security and college preparedness.

For this year’s Hunger and Homelessness Week, volunteers from the University and TIAA-CREF, a leading financial services and life insurance company, assembled 18,000 meals for Stop Hunger Now in less than three hours. Plans are in the works for another Stop Hunger Now meal assembly at Vance High School in December.

During televised Charlotte 49ers athletics events, audiences will learn how UNC Charlotte provides students with opportunities through a video developed by the Office of University Communications.

The video was a collaborative effort between University Communications broadcast professionals and the creative firm Tattoo Projects.

Nearly 3,550 undergraduate and graduate students will receive degrees during commencement exercises on Saturday, Dec. 19.

These graduates will swell the ranks of UNC Charlotte alumni, and they will have an impact in the greater Charlotte community and across the nation, said Jenny Jones, executive director of alumni affairs.

More than 1,000 National Guard members serving in Bosnia will get holiday greetings from UNC Charlotte as a result of the University’s #GivingTuesday event.

“UNC Charlotte’s founding was in part to serve veterans returning from World War II, so it was exciting to see so many students, faculty and staff members come together to support North Carolina National Guard members who will be serving overseas during the holidays,” said Shayna Long, assistant director of annual giving in the Division of University Advancement.

UNC Charlotte’s Hollywood-inspired Giving Green Campaign drew rave reviews from generous faculty and staff members. The result was an epic total of $194,698 in one-time gifts and payroll-deductible pledges to benefit the Arts & Science Council, the State Employees Combined Campaign and the UNC Charlotte Foundation.

Chancellor Philip L. Dubois expressed his appreciation to faculty and staff members who made a financial contribution during a special Giving Green “After Party” in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center Wednesday, Nov. 18.