Fall 2014 Newsletter

Dear Colleagues:

The curtain is closing on 2014, providing another reminder that time marches on…as if we needed another reminder of that fact. Here at UNC Charlotte, we marked the end of a semester and the midpoint of our academic year with December 13 commencement ceremonies in which we sent forth 3,320 newly minted 49er graduates armed with bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

One of the most inspiring commencement stories this year involved a nontraditional student…a very nontraditional student. When Barbara Coberly crossed the stage to accept a bachelor’s degree in sociology, everyone present was impressed with the fact that she graduated with honors – a 3.9 GPA – and we were just as impressed knowing that she was inducted into Sigma Alpha Lambda, Phi Kappa Phi, and the Golden Key International Honor Society. But I think we were even more impressed that she did it all at the age of 81. What a wonderful reminder to the rest of us that we’re never too old to learn. There’s no expiration date on an education, and what a privilege it is to be in the business of helping people – young and not-so-young – reach their personal goals.

With the semester and commencement behind us and the year-end holidays just ahead, I hope you’ll take a few moments to review some of the institutional highlights included here. For those of you accustomed to reviewing this semi-annual newsletter, you won’t be surprised that a lot of good things have happened at UNC Charlotte since my previous correspondence last May. These good things pave the way for even greater success for the University in the near future.

Although we are all looking forward to a well-deserved holiday break, January will bring an intense effort to continue preparations for a February 25-27 visit to our main campus and UNC Charlotte Center City by the 32-member University of North Carolina Board of Governors. The UNC Board of Governors is the policy-making body charged with general oversight of the UNC System, including the establishment of budgetary priorities. We’re very pleased to be hosting the group for the first time since 1972.

Thanks for all you’ve done for UNC Charlotte. Your commitment to our success has made our university’s current state strong and vibrant, and our future is bright. Let’s all take time over the holidays to enjoy our family and friends, rest up a bit, and prepare for a fantastic spring semester.

I have provided a great deal of information here, although it would be impossible to include all of the many successes for which we are grateful, and yes, quite proud. If you would like more information on any items mentioned in this newsletter, please contact my executive assistant, Shari Dunn. You can also check the Chancellor’s Outbox on the Administration website for additional information.

Cordially,

Philip L. Dubois
Chancellor