University Advancement

The Office of University Communications garnered a big dose of recognition in an awards program that attracts entrants from throughout corporate and nonprofit communications and the media.

The UComm team received 10 prizes in the Communicator Awards program, an annual competition that this year attracted more than 6,000 entries from top communications agencies, Fortune 500 companies and numerous nonprofits. Other higher education honorees included Harvard, MIT and Notre Dame.

Construction has begun on the new UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, located between the PORTAL Building and J.W.

This spring, the three pre-commencement events hosted by the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association—the 49er Ring, Donning of the Kente and Legacy Draping ceremonies—experienced some of their largest attendance numbers yet.

Niner Nation Unites, the University’s official crowdfunding site, was established in response to the overwhelming desire to support the victims and the UNC Charlotte community during this time of tragedy.

Chesney Klubert ’14 has volunteered with Girls Rock Charlotte for five years and has watched the nonprofit grow from a summer camp for girls age 8-16 to a year-round experience that now reaches out to adult women.

Faculty and staff members can join colleagues for socializing and networking at a Faculty and Staff Social, which will be from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 7, at Bissell House.

Sponsored by Chancellor Philip L. Dubois, the social will feature light hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and soft drinks. RSVPs requested.

It has been a busy week of volunteering for Jerry Womack, a zone supervisor in UNC Charlotte’s Facilities Management Department.

During Holy Week, Womack said his church, Ebenezer Baptist, holds a mission blitz. He packed food at the Second Harvest Food Bank and prepared packages of medical supplies that included items such as non-prescription drugs and bandages for distribution to needy people as part of North Carolina MedAssist.

It was a busy week for UNC Charlotte employees who used their paid community service leave to volunteer across the campus and city of Charlotte during National Volunteer Week, April 8-12.

Employees packed 1,200 meal supplement backpacks, 1,500 pencil pack kits, 1,500 toiletry kits and made 2,500 sandwiches. University alumni helped sort clothing donations at Crisis Assistance Ministry.

Historically, graduating students have been welcomed into the nursing profession with a pinning, said Peggy MacKay, a lecturer in the UNC Charlotte School of Nursing. But faculty in the school wanted to do a little more for the graduates to formally usher them into the field.

The result was a White Coat Ceremony. Each semester, graduates receive a white coat to symbolize their embarking upon their careers as nurses. MacKay said faculty members write notes of encouragement to place in the pockets of each jacket.

Harris Teeter recently made a donation to the Jamil Niner Student Pantry. A gift of $10,000 in Harris Teeter gift cards and industrial shelving to update the pantry’s storage needs will assist the organization’s efforts to combat student food insecurity on UNC Charlotte’s campus.