UNC Charlotte The magazine of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte for Alumni and Friends • v17 n1 q2 • 2010

The Adventure
Continues
Dubois marks five years as chancellor

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 UNC CHARLOTTE | c h a n c e l l o r ’s l e t te r
Moving Forward In Trying Times
As we approach a new fiscal year, Governor
Perdue and the General Assembly are making
important decisions about funding for higher
education. Since last spring, the North
Carolina economy has continued to struggle,
resulting in lagging state revenues to support
the University and other state agencies. As a
consequence, UNC Charlotte was forced to
reduce its permanent budget by about $12.7
million for the 2009-2010 academic year. For
2010-2011, it is possible that UNC Charlotte
could face additional cuts in the range of $9-
10 million.
As the General Assembly goes to work on
a budget for next year, the economic situation
in North Carolina remains a question mark.
But there can be no question that we are
very concerned about taking on even deeper
cuts than those we have already sustained.
These budget reductions affect all areas of
the University, including admissions, student
At the same financial aid, student/faculty ratios, availability
of courses to support students’ timely progress
time as we toward degree completion, academic and
career advising, personal counseling, the
struggle to protect provision of classroom/laboratory supplies
and equipment, and support for the work of
core academic the faculty and staff. With advance planning
we have been able to avoid widespread and
activities, we also permanently damaging personnel layoffs.
But the only way this has been accomplished
don’t want the is by our not filling more than 150 staff
and faculty positions that were intended to
current budgetary
support our growth in enrollment. We are no
circumstances to longer trimming at the edges, we are cutting
dangerously close to the core.
stop our forward At the same time as we struggle to protect
core academic activities, we also don’t want the
momentum as current budgetary circumstances to stop our
forward momentum as an institution.
an institution. With advocacy on our behalf by UNC
System President Erskine Bowles, former
Vice Chancellor of University Relations
and Community Affairs David Dunn, and
the EPIC Advisory Board, the General
Assembly provided $2 million last year in
ongoing funding to support the hiring of
faculty and staff for our Energy Production
and Infrastructure Center (EPIC). We hope
to secure the final installment of $3 million
of requested funding in the 2010 legislative
session. An educated workforce will play
a critical role in the Charlotte region’s
UNC CHARLOTTE magazine
UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 44
ascendance as the nation’s “New Energy
Capital,” and EPIC will provide the cutting-
edge research facilities and professional
personnel necessary to the region’s future
economic development.
The UNC Charlotte football program is
another initiative that will do a great deal for
our University and for the region. Over the
past year, the Board of Trustees and the UNC
Board of Governors unanimously approved
plans to move forward with a football program
that will begin competition in the fall of 2013.
The proposal calls for the University to borrow
$40.5 million to construct a permanent
15,000-seat stadium, field house, and adjacent
practice fields. The Department of Athletics
has raised more than $6 million through seat
license sales and private contributions, both
of which we expect to accelerate once the
General Assembly has given the final “green
light” for us to proceed. Fortunately, no state
funds are required to be approved.
Finally, as best we can, we want to continue
to remain accessible to students seeking
undergraduate and graduate degrees. We expect
to enroll over 25,000 students this coming fall.
How rapidly we grow toward our expected
eventual enrollment of 35,000 students
will depend on the availability of adequate
financial and physical resources. We remain
optimistic that the Governor and the General
Assembly will eventually find a way to fund
new construction required for our continued
growth, including a new $120 million Science
Building that remains unfunded at this time.
As always, you are invited to visit campus
at any time. If you haven’t had a chance to see
the steel frame of the EPIC building rising
from the Charlotte Research Campus or
the new Student Union, I can promise that
you will be amazed at these remarkable new
additions to the landscape of UNC Charlotte.
If you ever had any doubts, you’ll leave having
realized that “it’s great to be a Niner!”
Cordially,
Philip L. Dubois
Chancellor
www.UNCC.edu
5/24/10 10:48 AM
 contents | UNC CHARLOTTE

12

features departments
18
3 Meditation Helps 4 News Briefs
Cognition 22 Center Stage
24 49ers Notebook
12 Chancellor Dubois - The
39 Class Notes
Adventure Continues
40 Building Blocks
18 Pushing It to the Limit - 41 P erspective
Motorsports Engineering
stake your claim profiles
28 Doing Good -
Humanitarian Honored 10 Seth Avett
16 Leigh Derby
30 Making of the Modern 34 Tracy Dodson
Research Library
36 Michael Marsicano

30

On the cover:
Chancellor Philip L. Dubois reflects on his first five years
at the helm of North Carolina’s urban research university.

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 U N C C H A R LOT T E | e d i to r ’s d e s k

Forward, forward!
“Locksley Hall” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson reads, in part,
“Forward, forward let us range. Let the great world spin for ever
down the ringing grooves of change.” And thus it is at UNC
Charlotte, where change truly is a constant and where even The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
bittersweet changes haven’t dulled our trajectory.
In this edition you’ll read all about change. Our cover story Volume 17, Number 2
tracks the first five years of Chancellor Philip L. Dubois’ tenure.
Could there be more change in such a short time? More than Philip L. Dubois
a dozen new academic buildings and other facilities have come Chancellor
on line or are moving fast toward completion. Enrollment has
Ruth Shaw
increased by more than 5,000. Twelve new academic programs Chair of the Board of Trustees
have begun. GPAs and SAT scores for incoming freshmen have
Editor
leapt significantly. A 12-story Center City building is rising fast. We’re starting a Director of Public Relations
football team for goodness sake! These are all great changes for the university but John D. Bland
just a sample of many, many enhancements.
Creative Director
Change. Read about our inaugural class of Levine Scholars. Read about the Fabi Preslar
ingenious work going on to enhance the J. Murrey Atkins Library into a model
21st century resource for the campus and the community. These are great, great Contributing Writers
Phillip Brown
benefits for UNC Charlotte and the Charlotte region. James Hathaway
Change brings challenges of course. Read, for example, of the departure of Cliff Mehrtens
Arthur Murray
Vice Chancellor David Dunn, a 1980 graduate. No one loves UNC Charlotte Paul Nowell
more, and he has proven that in his roles leading the division of University Lisa A. Patterson
Relations & Community Affairs, and previously the Alumni Affairs department.
Staff Photographer
David also served for many years as UNC Charlotte’s government liaison (read Wade Bruton
lobbyist) in Raleigh. He was crucial to bringing to campus millions of dollars
Circulation Manager
of appropriations. He’ll be a tough act to follow, but he’s moving on to a fresh Cathy Brown
challenge and that is a joyful thing.
At UNC Charlotte, change happens – and plenty of it. And by providence and Design & Production
SPARK Publications
hard work, that moves us forward, forward.
Regards,
UNC Charlotte is published four times a
year by The University of North Carolina
at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd.,
Charlotte, NC 28223-0001
ISSN 10771913

Editorial offices:
Reese Building, 2nd floor
The University of North Carolina
at Charlotte
9201 University City Blvd.
John D. Bland, Editor Charlotte, NC 28223
704.687.5825; Fax: 704.687.6379
Director of Public Relations
The University of North Carolina at
Charlotte is open to people of all races and
is committed to equality of educational
opportunity and does not discriminate
against applicants, students or employees
based on race, color, national origin, religion,
Printed on sex, sexual orientation, age or disability.
recycled paper

17,500 copies of this publication were printed

at a cost of $.52 per piece, for a total cost of $9,210.

2 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q210 www.UNCC.edu

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 Brief Meditative Exercise
Helps Cognition
By James Hathaway

Some of us need regular amounts of coffee group) after four days of training for only School of Medicine. He’s a former doctoral
or other stimulants to make us cognitively 20 minutes each day. student at the University of North Carolina
sharper. A newly published study suggests “In the behavioral test results, what we at Charlotte, where the research was
perhaps a brief bit of meditation would prepare are seeing is something that is somewhat conducted.
us just as well. comparable to results that have been “Simply stated, the profound improvements
While past research using neuro-imaging documented after far more extensive that we found after just four days of
technology has shown that meditation training,” said Fadel Zeidan, a post-doctoral
techniques can promote significant changes in researcher at Wake Forest University Continued on p. 33
brain areas associated with concentration, it has
always been assumed that extensive training
was required to achieve this effect. Though
many people would like to boost their cognitive
abilities, the monk-like discipline required
seems like a daunting time commitment and
financial cost for this benefit.
Surprisingly, the benefits may be
achievable even without all the work.
Though it sounds almost like an
advertisement for a “miracle” weight-loss
product, new research now suggests that
the mind may be easier to cognitively train
than we previously believed. Psychologists
studying the effects of a meditation
technique known as “mindfulness ” found
that meditation-trained participants showed
significant improvement in their critical
cognitive skills (and performed significantly
higher in cognitive tests than a control

“The mind is,

in fact, easily
changeable and
highly influenced
by meditation.”
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 UNC CHARLOTTE | n ew s b r i e f s

news briefs
ZABLOTSKY NAMED LEVINE In a letter accompanying her application have moved beyond the university to make their
SCHOLARS DIRECTOR for a faculty position, Zablotsky envisioned a mark in the world.”
Sociology Professor Diane Zablotsky has been learning community of students that would Provost Joan Lorden described Zablotsky
appointed director of the Levine Scholars Program foster a broad understanding of international as a highly respected faculty member
at UNC Charlotte. In June, she will succeed issues tied to an opportunity for service. and administrator.
interim director This vision was realized with the creation “Her knowledge of UNC Charlotte and our
Al Maisto, of the Sociology/Anthropology Learning community will be invaluable as we launch
who helped get Community, which is now the Global the Levine Scholars Program,” she said. “What
the new merit Village Learning Community. Students in distinguished Diane most in the large field of
scholarship that program are involved in an international competitive candidates that we attracted for
program off service learning experiences. this position was the passion that she has for
the ground. Zablotsky has similar expectations for the students, their personal and intellectual growth,
Zablotsky Levine Scholars Program. and their success.”
joined the “My vision would be to create a premier Last month, the members of the inaugural
UNC Charlotte experience for the scholars in ways that allow class of 15 Levine Scholars were introduced
faculty in 1992 them to take the individual gifts they bring as as the new scholarship program was officially
as an assistant Diane Zablotsky entering freshmen and blossom into mature launched. The group includes 10 young leaders
professor and scholars, role models, and leaders when they from North Carolina and five other states.
was promoted to associate professor in 1999. leave the university four years later,” she wrote. They will take their place among their peers on
Along with her teaching duties, she currently serves “The success of both the program and my campus in the fall 2010 semester.
as Associate Dean of Student Support Services leadership would be fulfilled when students The scholarships were made possible by
in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She from across the country are drawn to UNC philanthropists Leon and Sandra Levine, who
also served as interim chair of the Sociology and Charlotte seeking this opportunity to fulfill committed $9.3 million to UNC Charlotte for
Anthropology in the 2005-06 academic year. their potential, and alumni of the program the scholarship program to develop community
service leaders. Leon Levine is the founder and
chairman emeritus of Matthews, N.C.-based
Family Dollar Stores, Inc. The Levines are
SORENSEN ADDS INTERIM POST involved in a number of civic and charitable
In May, Chancellor Dubois announced that Niles Sorensen causes in the Charlotte region through The Leon
will serve as interim vice chancellor for the division of University Levine Foundation.
Relations and Community Affairs (URCA). Sorensen also will
continue in his role as vice chancellor for Development and VICE CHANCELLOR DAVID DUNN
Alumni Affairs. MOVES ON TO COMPASS GROUP
Sorensen, who joined the University in 2006, will fill in for David Dunn, UNC Charlotte’s first
David Dunn, who recently stepped down as vice chancellor vice chancellor for university relations and
for URCA. “Niles has been a superb member of my Cabinet,” Niles Sorensen community affairs (URCA), stepped down
said Dubois. “I am grateful to him for taking on these May 15 to pursue a position in the
additional responsibilities.” private sector.
URCA was formed in January 2006 to foster enhanced local, regional and statewide Dunn, who was appointed by Chancellor
awareness of and support for the mission of UNC Charlotte. It comprises the offices of Philip L. Dubois to head the new URCA
Broadcast Communications, Community Affairs, Events and Special Projects, Governmental division in December 2005, now serves as vice
Affairs, Marketing and Public Relations. president of sales for higher education at the
Sorensen will serve in his interim role until Dubois makes a final decision on the future of Americas Division of Compass Group. The
URCA structure and staffing, likely by the end of December, 2010. Dubois has indicated that London-based company is a world leader in
he expects to make a decision by mid-summer as to whether to maintain the vice chancellor’s foodservice management and support services.
responsibilities for legislative relations or to create a separate position that will be solely Its Americas Division is based in Charlotte.
responsible for UNC Charlotte’s state and local governmental relations. Dunn served as the university’s governmental
To help in evaluating the current and future organizational, strategic and staffing needs of liaison with the General Assembly in Raleigh.
URCA, Dubois has hired former Wachovia Corp. executive Shannon W. McFayden for a part- He worked closely with legislators to secure
time advisory role. She will start work on June 1. key appropriations and to increase the overall
McFayden served as senior executive vice president, head of human resources and amount of state funding for UNC Charlotte.
corporate relations for Wachovia, where she had responsibility for human resources, corporate Dubois has initiated a search for
communications and community relations. Dunn’s successor.

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 Fifteen Named Levine Scholars
Fifteen young leaders from high schools
across the United States, including 10 from
North Carolina, have been named the first
group of Levine Scholars at the University of
North Carolina at Charlotte.
It is the inaugural year for the prestigious
merit scholarship program, which covers
the cost of all tuition and fees, housing and
meals, books, a laptop computer and summer
experiences. Additional funding is provided to
support community service work during the
academic years.
The value of the scholarship is about
$90,000 for each in-state student and
$140,000 for each out-of-state student.
The 10 Levine Scholars from North
Carolina are:
Anna Bawtinhimer, Arendell Parrott
Academy, Ayden, daughter of Stacey and Gary
Bawtinhimer; Caroline Brewer, High Point
Christian Academy, High Point, daughter of
Cheri and George Brewer; Evan Danchenka,
Hickory Ridge High School, Harrisburg,
son of Janelle and Gary Danchenka; Mack
Herman, Maiden High School, Newton,
son of Terri and Anthony Herman; Jacob
Huffman, Myers Park High School, Charlotte,
son of Janice Sherian and Timothy Huffman.
Samuel McClenney, St. David’s School,
Cary, son of Aleta and Walter McClenney;
Christina Neitzey, Topsail High School,
Hampstead, daughter of Dawn and Richard
Neitzey; Laura Outlaw, North Carolina
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UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 5
School of Science and Mathematics, Mount
Olive, daughter of Julia and Remus Outlaw;
Jasmine Patterson, South Stanly High School,
Norwood, daughter of Merry and Robert
Patterson; and Cassady Schulte, Independence
High School, Charlotte, daughter of Cathy
and Lee Schulte.
The other recipients come from five other
states. They are:
Vrushab Gowda, Manalapan High
School, Manalapan, N.J., son of Amba and
H.I. Gowda; Karen Gray, Oak Mountain
High School, Birmingham, Ala., daughter
of Deborah and John Gray; Celia Karp,
Walter Johnson High School, Bethesda,
Md., daughter of Andrea and Robert
Karp; Caitlin Vaverek, St. Thomas Aquinas
High School, Plantation, Fla., daughter of
Barbara and Kevin Vaverek; and Jonathan
Wainwright, Allegany-Limestone High
School, Allegany, N.Y., son of Leslie
Pasternacki and Jeffrey Wainwright.
This year’s recipients were selected
through a lengthy nomination and
interview process. More than 1,000
high school seniors from 25 states were
nominated by their schools.
From those nominees, the foundation
and regional committees chose 43 finalists,
including 31 from North Carolina. The
out-of-state finalists were from as far away
as New Jersey, Indiana, New Hampshire,
Florida and Kansas.
“The response from top students from
around the country was more than we could
have envisioned,” said Chancellor Philip L.
Dubois. “Their credentials are at the very
highest echelon, which made the selection
process very difficult because of the quality of
the individuals and the group as a whole.”
Al Maisto, associate dean for the Honors
College and Interim Director for the Levine
Scholars Program, echoed those sentiments:
“The young scholars who accepted the Levine
Scholarship were by and large fiercely sought
after by other institutions,” he said. “The fact
that they choose to come here is significant
and speaks to what UNC Charlotte has to
offer to students of this caliber.”
The first group of Levine Scholars will
take their place among their peers on campus
in the fall 2010 semester. Throughout the
school year, Levine Scholars will be expected
to actively engage with established community
organizations or develop their own resolution
to key issues facing Charlotte.
To support their work in service to
society, recipients also will have access to an
$8,000 grant funded by The Leon Levine
Foundation and distributed by the UNC
Charlotte Foundation.
The scholarships were made possible by
philanthropists Leon and Sandra Levine, who
committed $9.3 million to UNC Charlotte
for the merit scholarship program to develop
community service leaders. Leon Levine is the
founder and chairman emeritus of Matthews,
N.C.-based Family Dollar Stores, Inc. The
Levines are involved in a number of civic
and charitable causes in the Charlotte region
through The Leon Levine Foundation.
“This is truly an outstanding group of
young people,” said Leon Levine. “We are
looking forward to following their progress
at UNC Charlotte and their involvement in
our community.”
The program has been compared with the
esteemed Morehead-Cain Scholars at UNC
Chapel Hill, Park Scholars at North Carolina
State University and Benjamin N. Duke
Scholars at Duke University.
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 UNC CHARLOTTE | n ew s b r i e f s
news briefs
INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN
NIGERIAN PERFORMER TO
SERVE AS ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
Internationally known Nigerian performer
Tayo Aluko is the Africana Studies Department’s
artist-in-residence. His visit is in collaboration
with the College of Arts + Architecture and the
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American
Arts and Culture.
As a baritone, Aluko has performed as the
guest soloist with numerous orchestras, choirs
and brass bands in the United Kingdom,
Germany, Ireland and Nigeria. His signature
production, “Call Mr. Robeson,” premiered
at Edinburgh Fringe in August 2007. He has
performed the play around the United Kingdom,
United States and Canada, and he went on the
win the coveted Argus Angel Award for Artistic
Excellence, Best Male Performer Award and a
nomination for the Best Show at the Brighton
Festival Fringe in May 2008.
Aluko’s latest piece is “I Got a Home in
Barack (From Africa to the White House: A
Journey of Resistance, Triumph and Spirituals).”
The musically illustrated talk explores African
pre-slavery history, Africans’ resistance to
white domination over the centuries and the
symbolic triumph resulting from the election
and inauguration of Barack Obama. The
performance features selected spirituals sung by
UNC CHARLOTTE PART OF
COLLABORATION TO SAVE LIVES
Several organizations united to increase
availability of portable defibrillators in
Charlotte. UNC Charlotte partnered with
several organizations to support Strive to
Revive, an initiative that made available
20 Automated External Defibrillators to
Charlotte-area places of worship.
The Strive to Revive initiative sought to
increase the chance of survival of sudden
cardiac arrest patients through training and
bystander intervention. The program focused
on places of worship, as consistently large
gathering places, and was designed to help
populations disproportionately impacted by
heart disease, cardiac arrest and other health
risk factors or disparities.
The program was developed after state Rep.
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UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 6
Aluko. This sometimes controversial presentation
also mentions notable freedom fighters including
Paul Robeson, Frederick Douglass, Patrice
Lumumba of the Congo and Queen Nanny of
Jamaica. The presentation includes significant
African philosophy and proverbs, too.
CHILDREN’S DEFENSE FUND
PARTNERS WITH COLLEGE
OF EDUCATION
UNC Charlotte is staking its claim to assist
at-risk children by serving as the host of a site
for a 2010 Children’s Defense Fund Freedom
Schools summer program. Mary Lynne Calhoun,
dean of the College of Education, announced the
initiative March 24.
“This was a natural chain of events due to
longstanding relationships with Freedom School
Partners and the rising need in the community,”
said Sherell Fuller of the Department of Reading
and Elementary Education, who has been named
the program’s site coordinator.
The CDF Freedom Schools summer program
will serve as a learning tool for UNC Charlotte
student interns and summer school students
who will work with the children. Fuller said, the
location at UNC Charlotte is “an unbelievably
valuable resource to give these children access to a
college campus.”
The program will run from June 21 to July 30
Becky Carney collapsed in her
legislative office and went into
cardiac arrest on April 2, 2009.
Her life was saved because a
portable defibrillator was available
at the time of the incident.
“I am pleased a new program
will save lives by increasing the
number of portable defibrillators
in Charlotte. I know how Rep. Becky Carney
important it is to have these
devices in public places. I am living proof
that a defibrillator will increase the chance of
survival to anyone that may experience cardiac Duke Energy Carolinas, Mecklenburg
arrest in a public setting,” said Rep. Carney.
The Lucky Hearts Campaign, a public
education collaborative spearheaded by
Mecklenburg EMS Agency (Medic) and
the Mecklenburg Medical Alliance and
involving 50 students from Nathaniel Alexander
Elementary School and James Martin Middle
School. CDF Freedom Schools programs feature
a literacy-based learning curriculum that focus on
empowering children to reach their full potential.
This addition to the Freedom School Partners
was made possible in part by a grant from the
Wachovia Wells Foundation. Freedom School
Partners provides literacy-rich learning programs
integrating reading, conflict resolution and
social action in an activity-based curriculum that
promotes social, cultural and historical awareness.
FSP is dedicated to serving at-risk students and
families living in poverty in the Carolinas.
BUSINESS STUDENTS COMPETE IN
NATIONAL INVESTMENT CHALLENGE
A team of UNC Charlotte students recently
represented North Carolina in a national
investment research challenge in New York City.
Lee Bowles, Jarrod Green, Brian Schaffer,
Suken Shah and Bruce Silverman qualified by
having the top report and oral presentation in
a state challenge in February. They competed
against teams from Duke, Wake Forest and
Appalachian State universities.
The national competition, the Americas
Regional Investment Research Challenge, was
sponsored by the CFA Institute, the global, not-
for-profit association of investment professionals
Endowment is administering
the distribution of the
machines and providing
the essential training on
proper usage. The Lucky
Hearts Campaign has been
increasing the availability of
the devices in Mecklenburg
County since 2008.
Additional partners
include Bank of America,
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North
Carolina, Carolinas Healthcare System,
Medical Alliance and Endowment,
Mecklenburg EMS Agency (Medic),the
N.C. Association of Electric Cooperatives,
Mecklenburg County Farm Bureau, Progress
Energy and Reynolds American.
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5/21/10 2:13 PM
 that awards the CFA and CIPM designations.
The UNC Charlotte students are enrolled in
the Belk College’s Student Managed Investment
Fund, a year-long finance course established to
give students hands-on experience in investing
and financial analysis. Assets for the SMIF are
provided by the UNC Charlotte Foundation.
Judson Russell, clinical associate professor of
finance, is the SMIF adviser and served as coach
for the student investment team.
“We are incredibly proud of the students
for their performance in the state investment
challenge and their representation of North
Carolina in New York,” said Joe Mazzola, dean of
the Belk College.
49ERS MAKE MAJOR HIRE
In April the Charlotte 49ers named Alan
Major, formerly an assistant coach at Ohio State,
as head men’s basketball coach, following an
extensive national search.
“Alan comes from a strong background
that includes success at the highest level,”
said Director of Athletics Judy Rose. But just
as important as the impressive credentials of
great players and teams he has been a part of
is the great energy he exhibits and the genuine
care he shows for his players. He wants to
develop student-athletes not only in basketball
but in life.”
Major spent the last six seasons as an
assistant to Thad Matta at Ohio State. Prior
to that, he served as an assistant to Matta
at Xavier for three years. Major, who has an
18-year coaching background, has also had
stints at Pacific, Southern Illinois and Cal
Lutheran. A native of Indianapolis, Major
graduated from Purdue in 1992. While at
Purdue, Major served as a manager for Gene
Keady’s Boilermakers. He received his master’s
in education with an emphasis on physical
education from Cal Lutheran in 1995.
Major has been at Ohio State for the last
six seasons, helping the Buckeyes to a 156-54
record, four NCAA Tournament appearances,
a school-record 35 wins in 2006-07, three
outright Big Ten regular-season titles and
two league tournament titles. This past year,
Ohio State reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen
after winning both the Big Ten regular-season
and tournament titles. In 2007, the Buckeyes
reached the NCAA National Championship
game and in 2008, they won the National
Invitation Tournament title.
In his three seasons at Xavier, the
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UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 7
Lyman Johnson is flanked by Marc Horgan of First Citizens Bank (left), Johnson’s wife Sue
and Chancellor Philip L. Dubois.
Johnson Receives 2010 First
Citizens Bank Scholars Medal
For his contributions to the knowledge and understanding of colonial Latin
American history, Lyman L. Johnson is the 2010 recipient of the First Citizens Bank
Scholars Medal. The prestigious award, presented by First Citizens Bank and UNC
Charlotte, honors faculty scholarship and intellectual inquiry.
“Lyman Johnson is the kind of professor you’d always hoped you would have, the
kind of colleague you are grateful to work with, and the kind of friend you cherish
throughout your life,” a colleague wrote about Johnson, a history professor at the
university since 1987.
Johnson’s research on the lives of middle-and working-class men and women in late
18th- and early 19th-century Argentina has helped establish the Department of History
as a highly active research department. He has earned a reputation as one of the nation’s
preeminent historians of colonial Latin America, while helping to grow the department
and attract talented scholars to UNC Charlotte.
While his fellow scholars and colleagues describe Johnson’s research contributions in
different ways, all of them concur that his work has made an indelible impact on the
field. In a field with little outside funding, Johnson has attracted more than $1 million
in grant funding from prestigious sources
Johnson also has been the recipient of two Fulbright awards and numerous other
distinctions.
An imaginative and productive scholar, Johnson has authored and co-authored 40
articles and book chapters, and three books, including one of the most widely used
single volume histories of colonial Latin America.
Musketeers went 78-23 with coach Bruce Weber. His career
three NCAA appearances, began at Cal Lutheran where
including a trip to the Elite he helped the Kingsmen to a
Eight in 2004. He coached 61-22 record in three seasons,
for a total of five seasons including trips to the NCAA
at Pacific, and helped the Div. III Tournament in 1993
Tigers to the 1997 NCAA and 1994.
Tournament. He coached for Major replaces Bobby Lutz,
one season at Southern Illinois who completed a 12-year stint
under current Illinois head as 49ers head coach in March.
Alan Major
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 UNC CHARLOTTE | n ew s b r i e f s

news briefs
PROFESSORS EXCEL IN STEM CRUCIAL DISCIPLINES
Four Lee College of Engineering faculty members who were
awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor in April are
breaking the national trend of under-representation of women
among tenured faculty in engineering and other sciences.
Gloria Elliott, Brigid (Brid) Mullany, Jiang (Linda) Xie and Terry
Xu were awarded tenure and promotion to associate professor, along
with their colleagues Ertunga Ozelkan and Qiuming Wei. David
Brinkley was promoted to professor.
“The promotion of these faculty members recognizes their
commitment to the excellence we seek here at UNC Charlotte in Gloria Elliott Jiang Xie
all faculty roles,” said Joan Lorden, provost and vice chancellor for
Academic Affairs.
“It also is significant that four of the six faculty members
who were promoted to associate professor in the Lee College of
Engineering were women,” Lorden said. “Attracting and retaining
women faculty members in engineering and other science and
mathematics disciplines is a well-documented national issue. The
faculty and administrators of the Lee College of Engineering deserve
credit for their efforts to address this national need by creating an
environment in which the careers of these outstanding women
can flourish.”
Brigid Mullany Terry Xu
In its February 2010 report, “Why So Few? Women in Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics,” the AAUW suggests
creating a collegial environment, providing mentors and revising
institutional policies make a difference. Lorden is primary In their research, Xu’s group is interested in synthesis,
investigator for an NSF grant that supports such work through characterization and exploration of novel properties of one-
the UNC Charlotte ADVANCE initiative. Three of these four dimensional nanostructures. Currently, the research work is focused
engineering faculty have received Bonnie Cone Fellowships from on boron-based nanomaterials for thermoelectric energy conversion
ADVANCE, and all four have participated in programming. application, which will play an important role in meeting the energy
challenges of the future. Xu received the prestigious NSF CAREER
award in 2008.
STUDENTS WIN AWARDS FROM Xie’s research tackles problems in emerging wireless technologies
COLLEGE NEWS ORGANIZATION and networks, such as wireless mesh networks, cognitive radio
Students from the University Times Marketing Department networks, wireless body area networks for e-health, vehicular
recently won six awards at the College Newspapers Business and networks, and the next-generation Internet. The research has the
Advertising Managers conference. potential for societal as well as engineering impact. She won a NSF
The students picked up top honors for Best Printed Rate Card and Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award in 2010.
Best Newspaper Marketing and Promotion Plan; second place awards Mullany also received a prestigious NSF CAREER award
for Best Display Ad in Color, Best Sales Incentive Program and in 2008. Her research focuses on precision surface generation
Best Sales Increase for a Special Section (for the basketball preview); and evaluation. Precision polishing dynamics has implications
and third place for Best Orientation/Back to School Issue (for the for process automation and for industries that include optical
Welcome Back edition). component and laser system manufacturers, semiconductor
The University Times, produced by the Office of Student Media, fabrication companies and the biomedical sector.
is a twice-weekly campus newspaper distributed in a number of Elliott is working with colleagues to develop innovative
on- and off-campus locations. Student media organizations are techniques for environmental-friendly, sustainable transformation
completely student-operated and foster education and growth for of waste paper products and plant biomass from agriculture
students interested in journalism and advertising. CNBAM is a and lumber mills into a marketable liquid fuel commodity. Her
professional organization for students and advisers working with research includes a focus on heat and mass transfer, solidification
business and advertising departments at collegiate newspapers across phenomena, biological thermodynamics, biomaterials and
the nation. biomedical engineering.

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 Sandra and Leon Levine
Awarded Honorary Degrees
Sandra and Leon
Levine epitomize
the phrase,
“Paying it Forward.”
UNC Charlotte honored Sandra and
Leon Levine with honorary degrees at the
university’s spring commencement May 15
for their philanthropic contributions in the
Charlotte community and longstanding
support for higher education.
The Levines were made honorary
Doctors of Public Service for their
numerous acts of public service and
philanthropy. Most recently, their
foundation established the Levine
Scholars Program, a merit scholarship,
which will enable UNC Charlotte to
recruit exceptional student-leaders from
around the United States.
Leon Levine is the founder of
Matthews-based Family Dollar Stores Inc. Leon and Sandra Levine
He and his wife, Sandra, are involved in
a number of civic and charitable causes
in the Charlotte region through the Leon “We were overwhelmed by the selected from top students both
Levine Foundation. number of extraordinary students from statewide and across the nation, at UNC
“Sandra and Leon Levine epitomize the around the country who applied for Charlotte,” he said. “We want them to
phrase, ‘Paying it Forward,’ ” Chancellor these scholarships,” Dubois said. “These use their academic prowess, leadership
Philip L. Dubois said. “Their endeavors students are also being recruited by skills, dedication to community service
on behalf of our state, our region and other outstanding universities. Because and business talents right here in the
our community are, frankly, much too of this new merit scholarship program, Charlotte community.”
numerous to list.” they are finding UNC Charlotte offers Leon Levine’s vision is to foster a
The Leon Levine Foundation is excellent opportunities in a wide variety commitment among the Levine Scholars
funding the largest individual gift of academic disciplines.” to community service and a capacity for
commitment, initially valued at $9.3 The 15 recipients of the scholarships what he calls “ethical leadership.”
million, in UNC Charlotte’s history. were announced in May. The program has been compared with
In February, 43 Levine Scholars Al Maisto, associate dean for the the esteemed Morehead-Cain Scholars
Program finalists, selected from more Honors College and interim director for at UNC Chapel Hill, Park Scholars at
than 1,000 applicants, visited the UNC the Levine Scholars Program, said the idea N.C. State University and Benjamin N.
Charlotte campus. They included nine to start the scholarship program derived Duke Scholars at Duke University. The
students from the Charlotte region and from the Levine family’s ongoing efforts value for in-state students will be about
others from as far away as Kansas and to give back to the Charlotte community. $90,000 and about $140,000 for out-of-
New Hampshire. “The goal is to cultivate new leaders, state students.

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 UNC CHARLOTTE | s t a ke yo u r c l a i m p ro f i l e

Growing fame
of Avett
Brothers
comes at the
right time

Seth Avett is not

“The Man”
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By Paul Nowell
It’s mid-morning when Seth Avett pulls
his pickup truck into the shopping center
parking lot off University City Boulevard.
Dented and missing some of its tannish-
brown paint, the truck shows plenty of
signs of use on his father’s farm, hauling
firewood, hay and music equipment.
No one seems to take notice when Avett
walks into the Java Jackson shop and orders
a latte.
If the clerk, a young woman wearing a
Georgia Southern sweatshirt, recognizes the
celebrated musician, she is deserving of a
job with the Secret Service or at least a role
on the television show “24.” She takes his
money and hands Avett his coffee and a few
coins and goes about her business.
Avett, dressed in the dark attire he
typically wears at an Avett Brothers
performance and sporting his signature
beard and shock of thick brown hair, ambles
over to one of the cushy leather easy chairs
in the back of the shop.
A couple of customers raise their
eyes from their laptop screens for just a
moment and glance over at him as he sits
down to chat about the recent success
of the Avett Brothers and his devotion to
UNC Charlotte, his alma mater.
Suffice it to say it’s a rare moment of
solitude for Avett, who with brother Scott
and the rest of the band has been touring
the United States and more recently, Europe
and Australia, in support of the critically
acclaimed release, “I and Love and You.”
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UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 11
s t a ke yo u r c l a i m p ro f i l e
He is the younger half of the Avett
brothers, who are from Concord. The band
is gaining more popularity as the months
go by since the release of its album, which
was produced by Rick Rubin, who also has
worked with artists including Johnny Cash,
the Dixie Chicks and the Red Hot Chili
Peppers.
While virtually impossible to pigeonhole,
the Avett Brothers band is most often called
a folk-rock group. Seth and Scott write the
music and share vocals. While Scott is most
associated with the banjo and Seth with the
acoustic guitar, both are versatile enough to
play piano, organ and even drums.
The band also features Bob Crawford
on stand-up bass and cellist Joe Kwon.
Their vast repertoire combines elements of
bluegrass, Americana, country, folk and a
good measure of punk and rock ’n roll.
After only a few years, the band is
touring with national acts such as the
Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer and
Government Mule. It has played major
music festivals, including Bonnaroo and
Coachella. In May, the band was the
| UNC CHARLOTTE
closing act at MerleFest, transforming the
usual Sunday afternoon from a lineup
of acoustic folk and gospel music into a
raucous affair.
Even for Seth Avett, it’s hard to imagine
that just a few short years ago you could
catch the Avett Brothers in parking lots
and wine shops for the price of a drink – or
less. At the time, he skateboarded around
the UNC Charlotte campus and attended
soccer matches when he wasn’t studying or
rehearsing.
Avett becomes nostalgic about seemingly
unremarkable places near the campus,
including the shopping center parking lot.
“This parking lot is actually very special
to us because it is where Bob (Crawford)
auditioned to join the band,” he said. “We
used to hang out here all the time because
there was a record shop in this shopping
center. He drove up from Rock Hill, S.C.,
and auditioned for us right out there and
we’ve been together ever since that night.”
As a matter of fact, a lot of nearby
Continued on p. 38
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 UNC CHARLOTTE | fe a t u re

Chancellor
Dubois
reflects on
his first
five years

Adventure
The

Continues
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“We have been
so fortunate
to have had
visionary
leaders take
the steps
necessary to get
UNC Charlotte
where it
is today…”
Dubois and Provost Joan Lorden enjoy a Cabinet meeting.
On July 5, 2010, Philip L. Dubois
will complete his first five years as UNC
Charlotte’s fourth chancellor. He took time
to reflect on some of the highlights and look
briefly into the future.
If you had to pick out a couple of moments,
what has been the most positive memory for
you and which the most negative?
The Center City Building is I’ve been fortunate to have had many
rising in Uptown Charlotte. positive moments since I returned here,
including the day in the summer of 2006
when we learned that the Center City
building would be funded, the opening
of the Student Union, the funding of our
Energy Production and Infrastructure
(EPIC) project, and the announcement
of the new Levine Scholars Program. But
by far the highlight of my return was
February 3, 2006, when I was installed
as Chancellor, and shared the stage with
my three predecessors—Dean Colvard,
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UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 13
fe a t u re | UNC CHARLOTTE
E.K. Fretwell, and Jim Woodward. We
have been so fortunate to have had such
visionary leaders take the steps necessary to
get UNC Charlotte where it is today and
I thought it was very significant that all of
the people ever to have served as Chancellor
were standing by my side. The only thing
that could have made that moment more
memorable would have been to have Miss
Bonnie standing there too.
The low point was on April 13, 2006,
when we had the campus explosion and
electrical fire that injured several members
of our campus staff and eventually took
the life of Ed Seamon from the Facilities
Management Department. Most of us
on campus have pretty simple jobs and
don’t really have daily responsibilities that
place us in a position of danger. We were
fortunate in the sense that more people were
not hurt or killed and we used the accident
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 UNC CHARLOTTE | fe a t u re
to re-focus our attention upon safety issues
and emergency response procedures, but
there was nothing we could do to save
Ed. When we dedicated the bench in his
memory over by the Friday Building some
months after his death, I was reminded of
the strength of his family and of the tough
decisions that his wife, Brenda, had to
make during his hospitalization at the N.C.
Jaycees Burn Unit in the hospital at UNC
Chapel Hill.
So far, what do you consider to be your
most significant achievements?
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UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 14
Long term, I think the decision to make
the Center City building a top priority
for legislative funding in my first year and
to work with President Bowles and Vice
Chancellor David Dunn to secure approval
by the General Assembly will turn out to
be the most important thing we’ve done.
For whatever reason, that decision—and
our advocacy in the community for the
construction of the northeast line of light
rail with a stop on campus—may do as
much to cement Charlotte’s “ownership”
of this institution as anything else. Moving
Left: Dubois and Lisa Lewis Dubois, UNC
Charlotte’s first lady, were beaming on his
installation day.
Below: The Chancellor’s cabinet includes
(front row, left to right): Vice Chancellor
for Academic Affairs and Provost Joan
Lorden, Dubois, Athletics Director Judy Rose;
(back row, left to right): Vice Chancellor
for Information Technology Services Jay
Dominick, Vice Chancellor for Business
Affairs Beth Hardin, Vice Chancellor for
Research and Federal Relations Steve
Mosier, General Counsel David Broome, Vice
Chancellor for Development and Alumni
Affairs (and Interim Vice Chancellor for
University Relations and Community Affairs)
Niles Sorensen, and Vice Chancellor for
Student Affairs Art Jackson.
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ahead with starting an intercollegiate
football program might be a close second,
although that may depend more upon
the success of future coaches and players
than me or the members of my team! By
the time football makes a difference, I’ll
have been buried in the north end zone
for some time. Although I didn’t do any of
the “heavy lifting” to make it happen (that
credit goes to Provost Joan Lorden and
Dean Ken Lambla), I’m also proud of the
decision to create the College of Arts and
Architecture. We need a major presence
in this community’s artistic and cultural
life and the College positions us to further
strengthen that aspect of our role as the
state’s only urban university.
Have there been instances you view as lost
opportunities or outright mistakes?
Oh, sure. I’m certainly guilty of seeing
more projects, problems, and issues that
need attention than are reasonable for our
people to execute. Our faculty and staff
have gone above and beyond the call of duty
to help me achieve the major agenda items
I identified at the time of my Installation.
In terms of missed opportunities, most
of those have occurred because we are
constrained by time, money, circumstances
and, on occasion, politics. Had the
economy not soured, we would be making
a strong case to establish a public law school
at UNC Charlotte. Long term, UNC
Charlotte will need to be heavily invested
in medical education, either with its own
medical school or in partnership with
Chapel Hill. We’ll have many more doctoral
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UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 15
programs in a wider range of disciplines.
Right now, the economy and our resource
constraints serve as a significant drag on
our ambitions. Still, when one reads the
draft strategic plans in development by
our deans and the faculties in the various
colleges, we can see plenty of opportunities
for innovation, experimentation, enhanced
research, and service to the community.
UNC Charlotte will continue to be a place
characterized by ongoing change.
You’ve talked a lot on campus and in the
community about the goal of achieving a
campus enrollment of 35,000 students by the
year 2020. Are we prepared for that growth
and will we stay on that timeline?
In many fundamental ways, we are
very well prepared. We’ve completed
our campus master plan which addresses
critical uses of our land and our facilities.
Subordinate plans for student housing,
transportation and planning, and
sustainability are either already completed
fe a t u re | UNC CHARLOTTE
Left: The EPIC building is well along in
construction and has tremendous support
from local energy companies. But UNC
Charlotte is working hard to ensure state
appropriations to hire faculty and staff.
Below: Dickson Gate provides a proud
new face to campus visitors.
or in preparation. We have important
new buildings being planned or in
construction, including EPIC and a new
building known as PORTAL (Partnership,
Outreach and Research for Accelerated
Learning), to facilitate University-industry
research partnerships. On the other
hand, it is important for the campus
and the community to know that we
are not hell-bent on growing to 35,000
students without the resources or the
facilities required to support that level of
enrollment. In light of the current recession
and the budget cuts we have suffered or
expect in the next couple of years, we have
already had to slow our enrollment growth
at the freshmen level; 600 otherwise
qualified young people were turned away
for admission this past year alone. We
desperately need our proposed new $120
million Science Building and funding to
renovate older buildings, like Burson
and Kennedy.
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 UNC CHARLOTTE | s t a ke yo u r c l a i m p ro f i l e
People Transformed
Leigh Derby helps others surmount disabilities
By Lisa A. Patterson
Above: Leigh Derby, ’72 and ’84,
founded LifeSpan, an organization
dedicated to transforming the lives
of children and adults with significant
developmental disabilities. Colorful
artwork created by LifeSpan clients
lines the walls of Derby’s Clanton Road
office and is displayed at galleries in
the North Davidson neighborhood.
16 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q210
UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 16
In 1973, many children and adults with
significant developmental disabilities were
relegated to lives in institutions. Some
lived among family members but had little
opportunity for enrichment, educational
experiences or employment.
Enter Leigh Derby, ’72 and ’84.
Something about the young UNC Charlotte
student caught the attention of professor
Wade Williams. Williams suggested Derby
become a volunteer with the Special
Olympics.
“I was around people with disabilities
for the first time, and it wasn’t long before I
really started to enjoy being around them,”
Derby said.
Williams soon recognized that Derby, a
business major, had a genuine interest in
volunteer work as well as an appetite for
psychology classes. Williams prompted
Derby to major in psychology.
Upon graduation, Derby first took
a sales job before Williams steered him
to a position at a fledgling nonprofit in
Charlotte. Derby looks back on what he
considered his “Peace Corps job” with
affection.
“We [Staff members] worked with five
severely disabled children in a program
run out of the basement at St. Mark’s
Church,” Derby said. “I wanted to make
the community a better place, but I only
www.UNCC.edu
5/21/10 2:13 PM

intended to be there a couple of years.”
At the time, the idealistic alumnus did
not foresee that the St. Mark’s opportunity
would lead him to a meaningful career
that would result in the transformation of
thousands of lives.
Part of a very small staff charged with
providing day care for the children, all of
whom were excluded from public school
because of their disabilities, Derby learned
about life at a small nonprofit – in one
week, he might serve as a van driver, janitor,
cook, teacher and program director.
He also recognized what he considered
the injustice of segregating a population of
people based on their physical and cognitive
disabilities and began formulating and
implementing ideas to improve their lives.
That tiny program has since blossomed
into LifeSpan, a highly regarded social-
service organization dedicated to helping
children and adults with significant
developmental disabilities lead full lives as
integral members of their communities.
“LifeSpan started with an idea – a small
group of people believed that children with
significant disabilities could actually learn, a
revolutionary idea at the time,” he said.
Even the pioneers in St. Mark’s basement
weren’t sure exactly what the children could
learn. Derby said the staff used common
sense and trial-and-error to test ideas.
“We started with taking care of personal
needs. Let’s teach children how to eat,
how to use the toilet – the things that
were barriers to getting them into public
schools,” Derby said. “Nobody thought
these kids could learn to walk, but we were
able to teach them.”
Decades ago, and even now, the biggest
barrier to individuals with significant
disabilities is low expectations, Derby
explained. He maintains that given a
chance, and with the right support, these
individuals can realize their potential,
whether through creative pursuits,
employment or other activities.
LifeSpan serves more than 1,300
developmentally disabled clients in 30
North Carolina counties. Derby, the
organization’s CEO, leads a staff of more
than 500 full- and part-time employees and
contract workers.
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UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 17
s t a ke yo u r c l a i m p ro f i l e
According to Derby, LifeSpan exists as
a nonprofit with strong ties to the for-
profit and government sectors. It receives
90 percent of its funding from the federal
and state governments and 10 percent from
private sources.
The recession has negatively impacted
both lines of funding.
“In 2009, we lost $4.5 million in
government funding. Consequently we’ve
had to close programs. We’re significantly
smaller than we were just several years ago,”
Derby said. In addition, donations are down
30 to 40 percent.
To offset cuts in government funding,
LifeSpan is investing in innovative and
entrepreneurial ways of funding services.
LifeSpan owns a for-profit entity, LS
Solutions LLC, to train and employ people
with developmental disabilities. Revenue
from the company’s products is then used to
fund LifeSpan programs.
“When you see
people transformed,
literally… that makes
it worthwhile.”
| UNC CHARLOTTE
That entrepreneurial spirit isn’t limited to
manufacturing goods.
The LifeSpan creative-expressions
program, which includes pottery-making
classes, painting and horticulture, was
designed to unlock the creative talents
of seniors and those with disabilities
that preclude them from traditional
employment. LifeSpan clients have shown
their artwork in galleries in and around
Charlotte. The organization is renting
space in the North Davidson community
where artists with disabilities can study and
showcase their work.
Providing a range of services for adults and
children in more than 30 North Carolina
counties, all of which have their own needs,
requires sensitivity and flexibility; but not at
the expense of high standards, Derby said.
From the beginning of his career, Derby has
been adamant about the use of best practices.
He explained that providing evidence-based
services requires a significant investment up
front to achieve long-term gains.
Through partnerships with the UNC
Charlotte College of Education and
others, Derby and his staff have developed
best practices and service models that are
emulated throughout the country. As a
result, he has been tapped to lead several
professional associations and policy-
development boards and task forces.
In the past decade, however, he’s
encouraged his direct reports to hone their
leadership skills – after all, Derby wants to
ensure that LifeSpan’s work will continue
seamlessly when he steps down as CEO.
When that time comes, Derby is confident
his staff will continue to improve upon what
he started more than 35 years ago.
“When you see people transformed
literally … when you see artists become
artists, when you see people getting jobs
at the airport, for example, that makes it
worthwhile,” Derby said. “That’s what
charges people up. We’re here to change
lives and not make money.”
The naiveté of the 22-year-old Derby
might be gone, but the idealism remains —
and that has made all the difference.
Lisa A. Patterson is senior writer
in the Office of Public Relations.
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 UNC CHARLOTTE | fe a t u re

Motorsports Engineering finds

applications on race track and roadway

By Arthur Murray

Pushing
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UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 18
| Q210
LIMIT
TO
THE

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5/21/10 2:13 PM

It was November 2008. Brent Tedder
had just become one of the early victims
of the recession. He hadn’t seen it coming.
Three years earlier, he had gone to work
in Hickory for Corning Cable Systems
as a product-development engineer after
receiving his bachelor’s in mechanical
engineering at UNC Charlotte. Now he was
one of about 300 who had been laid off.
Tedder studied his options. For one
thing, he could look for work. That didn’t
seem promising. Tedder wanted – and he
still does – to work in motor sports. But the
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UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 19
timing wasn’t right there. Even NASCAR
was feeling the effects of the poor economy.
With the 2008 season completed, sponsors
were reducing their commitments, and
teams were consolidating. With Detroit’s
troubles, the major manufacturers were
pulling back. Tedder found the sport was
bleeding jobs, not adding them. The same
was true for other racing series.
He began to form another idea. “Rather
than look for other work, I decided to get
my master’s degree. It seemed like the time
was right.”
fe a t u re | UNC CHARLOTTE
Below, left and right: The motorsports
engineering team manages and drives its
own racecar.
Left: N.C. Motorsports and Automotive
Research Center Director Ahmed Soliman
shared time with Gov. Bev Perdue at the
Lowe’s Motor Speedway
Next page: Motorsports engineering
students get their hands dirty working
on racecars.
That took him back to UNC Charlotte
and its N.C. Motorsports and Automotive
Research Center. “My original degree was in
mechanical engineering with a motor sports
emphasis. I wasn’t doing anything with it at
Corning. I really wanted to do something
with my degree.” The school, meanwhile,
had beefed up its graduate and research
programs in motorsports, having added
four professors in the years since Tedder had
graduated.
But even after that moment of clarity
about his future, there was a problem.
Q210 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 19
5/21/10 2:13 PM
 “Research partners
include General
Motors Europe,
Oak Ridge National
Laboratory
and Savannah
River National
Laboratory,
focusing on diesel
and hybrid engines,
emissions and
hydrogen fuel cells.”

The timing of the layoffs meant he had

missed the deadlines for applying for the
winter semester. He came to tour the
center anyway, and Dr. Jerre Hill, senior
lecturer in the Department of Motorsports
Engineering, encouraged him to take the
Graduate Records Examination and apply
anyway.
Tedder did. He knew UNC Charlotte
was where he wanted to be. “The
motorsports program here is great, and
the facilities we have are very nice.” But he
still wasn’t sure whether it would work out
because of the late start. “As it turned out,
I didn’t get accepted until three days before
the semester began,” he says.
Now he’s one of about 20 graduate
students in the motorsports engineering
program overseen by Dr. Ahmed Soliman. formed an alliance with other colleges in has the feel of a NASCAR shop. Inside the
The faculty specializes in power-train the state to promote motorsports research, building, students are building a stock car
engines and transmissions, aerodynamics but it also is still just getting off the ground. from the ground up. At about two-thirds
and fluid-vehicle dynamics, and the “There are few worldwide,” Soliman the size of the cars used in NASCAR’s top
school is running one of the cutting-edge says. “There is one program at Cranfield level, the Sprint Cup, the vehicle donated by
programs. “We started before the others, University in England, but it’s only a Red Bull is for the Pro Challenge series.
specifically Clemson” he says. “Clemson is graduate program.” Near it is a water tunnel, which Soliman
not as focused as we are. They say they’re In fact, the UNC Charlotte program says is one of the largest in the country.
motorsports, but I don’t think they’re like is collaborating with Cranfield, sending Inside the tunnel, water moves at one meter
we are.” a student there to work on regenerative per second, which allows students and
And he’s not just talking about regional braking on hybrid vehicles. But that’s just researchers to study the flow, which mimics
motorsports programs. Indiana University- one of the research projects under way at the air flow and suggest ways to improve
Purdue University Indianapolis recently center, a 6,800-square-foot laboratory that aerodynamics. Among the aerodynamics

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 projects under way at the center are research
on drafting – how cars are affected when
they’re close together on a race track – and
on the yaw, the rotation around the vertical
axis of a vehicle when it goes airborne.
Other equipment includes a dynamometer,
used to measure an engine’s power.
Some of the research is for specific teams,
which Soliman says he’s not at liberty to
disclose. Other projects are to benefit the
sport in general.
Among the research partners he can
identify is General Motors Europe, which
is interested in advanced diesel and hybrid
engines for consumer vehicles. The center
also works with Oak Ridge National
Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn., on
emissions research, and with Savannah
River National Laboratory in Aiken, S.C.,
on hydrogen for fuel-cell applications.
At the forefront is Soliman, a native of
Egypt who grew up racing motorcycles
and cars in the streets of Cairo beginning
at age 13. He dons a brown fedora as he
moves from his office to the laboratory and
warmly greets other faculty and students
as they file in to resume work on various
projects. He got his bachelor’s and master’s
in mechanical engineering from Ain Shams
University in Cairo, and then got his
doctorate at The Ohio State University. He
has published papers on chassis and steering
systems, aerodynamics testing and engine
air-intake systems
He followed Formula 1 racing initially,
then became a NASCAR fan once being
exposed to it after moving to the Unites
States in 1988. Now, he says, “I’m in front
of the TV every weekend. I follow Formula
1, NASCAR, motorcycle racing, even the
Kentucky Derby.”
Despite his interest in racing, Soliman
believes the research done at the center
has uses outside the sport. “In racing,
everything is pushed to the limit. What
we’re doing will transmit just as well to the
cars we drive today, making them more
efficient and helping them to perform better
on the highway.
The future of the program is bright.
University officials plan a major expansion
of the center that will help the program
keep advancing (see accompanying article).
“Hopefully, we will add more engine
dynamometers in there and a small-scale
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UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 21
wind tunnel. And we hope to have a experience. “The classes I’m taking, I’m
calorimeter, which is used to look at heating learning a lot. In undergraduate studies,
and cooling.” you learn what technology is being used
Graduate student Tedder also counts on a today. In the master’s level work, you’re
bright future. learning how you can further what we have
For his graduate studies, Tedder is today, now to push it to the next level.”
working on the diesel-engine project. “I’m Unlike many of his peers, he’s not
most excited about working on engines in necessarily pushing for a NASCAR job. “I
general,” he says. “This one is more about enjoy NASCAR, and I wouldn’t turn down
how to tune the engine for efficiency rather a job in it, but my ultimate goal, regardless
than for motorsports. But efficiency and of whether I start in NASCAR, would be
power go hand in hand. The more efficient working for a team that does road-course
an engine is, the more power it generates.” racing. That interests me more, that
The project plays into his ultimate goal. type of engine, than what’s going on
He will finish up his master’s degree in in NASCAR.”
December, and he wants to work in engine There also is another possibility: more
design in a racing series. “What we’re doing education. “I’m not an economist, but my
with that engine is something that not gut feeling tells me the market in December
much research has been done in that area. isn’t going to be much better. Since I came
We’re also working with biodiesel.” to graduate school, my professor has been
Aside from motorsports, the research trying to talk me into getting my doctorate.
has applications in the consumer market. For my end goal, I don’t think that it would
“The way in which the engine would run benefit me greatly. But you never know. I
could be used to charge a hybrid battery,” might change my mind again.”
Tedder said.
Tedder went back to school because of Arthur Murray is a
the poor economy, and he has enjoyed the Charlotte-based writer.
The next big step for the Motorsports Engineering Program at UNC
Charlotte will come next year, with the opening of a much larger facility
on campus by fall. How much larger? The existing center is about
6,800 square feet. The new facility will be 15,000 square feet, which will
accommodate more faculty, students and research and laboratory space
for the program.
Officials hope to break ground by the end of the year. Construction
of the center is funded in part by a $1.9 million gift from the family of
the late NASCAR champion Alan Kulwicki. In conjunction with the gift,
the university has renamed its research center the Alan D. Kulwicki
Motorsports Laboratory.
The Kulwicki family’s involvement with education is a natural step.
The driver, who died in a plane crash in April 1993, several months after
completing one of the most exciting championship seasons in NASCAR
history, was the first NASCAR champion with a college degree. He earned
a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-
Milwaukee in 1977.
The undergraduate program will remain in the existing building,
while graduate work will move to the new center. “It will help us
recruit additional faculty,” says Dr. Ahmed Soliman, director of the N.C.
Motorsports and Automotive Research Center. “It will double our capacity
for faculty, graduate students and research.”
ARTHUR MURRAY
Q210 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 21
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 Share
the Love
The Charlotte 49ers softball team (35-
13) wrapped up their 2010 home season
with a 9-2 victory over UNC Greensboro
on April 27. Besides a super won-loss
record, the 49ers had plenty of reasons
for high 5s. Serena Smith broke the
team’s all-time RBI record; she has a
three-year total of 117 runs batted in.
Charlotte Jeffery also broke the team’s
career strike-out record with more than
590. The 49ers offer several softball
camps beginning in June. Contact the
Athletics department for details. At
press time the 49ers were wrapping up
their final few games and preparing for
the A-10 tournament.

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 UNC CHARLOTTE | 49 e rs n o te b o o k

From Clean Slate to Full Plate

New basketball coach in a whirlwind

By Cliff Mehrtens

Alan Major, UNC Charlotte’s new men’s Rose. After interviews, Rose said only Major Major, in the rare moments when he’s
basketball coach, approached his team with was offered the job. not immersed in basketball, enjoys reading
what he called a “clean slate.” “Alan comes from a strong background (“anything about people who’ve done
What began clean quickly became full. that includes success at the highest level,” something really special”), listening to jazz
Major, 41, was hired April 9 and Rose said. “But just as important as the and working out.
announced three days later to an overflow impressive credentials of great players and Coaching demands often mean less time
crowd of fans, staff and media at the James teams he has been a part of is the great to visit family, which is high on Major’s list
H. Barnhardt Student Activity Center. The energy he exhibits and the genuine care of important things. He joked during his
whirlwind continues as Major, an assistant he shows for his players. … He is a people introductory press conference that he wasn’t
coach at Ohio State University the past six person and a basketball junkie.” going to glance at several family members
years, deals with the myriad details of
taking over.
He sipped coffee in his new office in
the Miltimore-Wallis Athletics Training
and Academic Center. Over his shoulder
was a full day of meetings and duties
etched on a whiteboard, beginning with
“7:30 (a.m.) film.”
“You have to prioritize,” said Major, an
Indianapolis native who has coached 18
years. “I’ve tried to have almost a first 30
days mindset. The first 10 would be focused
around the players, absolutely A-No. 1,
then getting somewhat of a feel for campus
and meeting as many key campus people as
I can.”
That will be followed by recruiting, and
reaching out to UNC Charlotte students,
as Major said “to see how we can make
them feel that you really need them, and
hopefully spice up the home environment.”
Major, beginning his first stint as a head
coach, replaced Bobby Lutz, the longest-
serving (12 seasons) and winningest coach
(218-158) in school history.
Major was a key part of Ohio State
teams, during his six seasons, compiled
a 156-54 record, made four NCAA
Tournament appearances and won a school-
record 35 games in 2006-07, when the “There are about 19 other emotions I’m
Buckeyes reached the NCAA title game.
Soon after Ohio State advanced in March feeling, too. Humbled. Fortunate. Lucky.
to the Sweet 16, Major was targeted by
UNC Charlotte Director of Athletics Judy Blessed. You can throw them all in there.”
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 49 e r s n o t e b o o k | UNC CHARLOTTE

Left: Alan Major answers questions

from the media after he was introduced
as the new men’s basketball coach at
UNC Charlotte in April.

Below: Members of the men’s basketball

team fill up most of the front row at a
packed news conference to introduce Major.

Opposite Page: Major addresses an overflow

crowd of students, staff and media at the
James H. Barnhardt Student Activity Center.

— including his mother, Mary — beaming

proudly in the front row for fear of
losing composure.
“Having them here makes you feel like a
million bucks,” Major said. “It helps keep
you grounded with everything going on.
You have to have something that keeps you
grounded, and for me that’s been family and
friends. To them, I’m not ‘Coach,’ I’m Alan.
My mother has been a rock, and for them
to be there and share it was special.”
Seated not far away during the same press
conference were several 49ers players
Major inherited — and vice versa.
Early reviews were positive – in both
directions – for a program that hasn’t I’d find myself helping them out. To me, fully prepared for the challenge of becoming
made an NCAA Tournament appearance that’s the purest part – when you’re in the a head coach. Charlotte has landed a very
the past five seasons. gym and you’re on the floor (with players). good coach – and a really good person – in
“When Coach Lutz left, we were all That allows everybody to speak the same Alan Major.”
shocked,” said Shamari Spears, a junior language. That’s the best part.” Major said it’s too early to predict what
forward from Salisbury. “I think we’re Major has been instrumental in developing type of team his initial 49ers squad will be.
feeling a lot better now that we’ve had a four Ohio State players that were NBA But he promises staples like playing defense
chance to talk with Coach Major.” first-round draft choices – Greg Oden, Mike “extremely hard,” playing together and
Major’s coaching began long before he Conley, Daequan Cook and Kosta Koufos. playing smart.
donned a tie and jacket on a college bench Current Buckeyes guard Evan Turner has Excitement is high for Major and for
— even before he realized it was indeed swept national player of the year honors. Niner Nation.
coaching. As a youngster on a backyard “Alan Major is an outstanding young “There are about 19 other emotions I’m
court, he’d instruct younger players “to help coaching prospect, and he will do a terrific feeling, too,” Major said with a laugh.
make them better,” Major said. job at Charlotte,” said Jay Bilas, an ESPN “Humbled. Fortunate. Lucky. Blessed.
“I learned how to play from older guys, basketball analyst. “Alan is a hard worker, You can throw them all in there.”
and that’s what they did for me,” he said. a good recruiter, an excellent teacher, and
“They’d help me out. As I got older, I’d he has a great feel for the game and for the Cliff Mehrtens is a Charlotte-based writer
sometimes play with younger guys, and players. He has put his time in, and he is with a background covering sports.

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 UNC CHARLOTTE | 49 e rs n o te b o o k
GOLFER NAGY TO PLAY IN
PRESTIGIOUS PALMER CUP
Charlotte 49ers senior golf standout
Corey Nagy (Charlotte, N.C./Vance H.S.)
has added yet another feather to his much-
decorated hat. The three-time all-America
and defending Atlantic 10 individual
champion, has been named to the 2010
U.S. Palmer Cup team. He is the second
49er in three years to earn a spot in the
prestigious event.
Corey Nagy
“It’s extremely exciting,” Nagy said.
“Obviously, any time you can represent
your country it’s a tremendous honor. This
is unique in the sense that only a handful
of guys get to go. To be invited is pretty
special. It certainly ranks up there in things
I’ve accomplished at Charlotte. I feel very
honored to be a part of the team.”
Nagy is one of eight players selected to
the U.S. team. The 2010 Palmer Cup will
be held June 24-26 at Royal Portrush Golf
Club in Northern Ireland. The Palmer Cup
is a Ryder Cup-style event that pits the top
collegiate players from America against their
counterparts from Europe.
“This is a tremendous honor for Corey,”
said 49ers head coach Adam Pry. “Being
selected to represent your country is
extremely special and will certainly be an
experience he will remember for the rest of
his life. Corey will have to delay turning
26 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q210
UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 26
professional for another month to play in
the Palmer Cup but it will provide a fitting
end to a very successful amateur and
college career.”
Nagy, who has earned all-America honors
in each of his three seasons with the 49ers
and has boasted six top-five finishes this
season, including victories at the VCU
Shootout and the Irish Creek Collegiate,
won the 2009 A-10 Championship. The
2009 A-10 Men’s Golf Student-Athlete of
the Year, Nagy has won four individual titles
in his career.
DARIUS LAW NAMED A-10
INDOOR MEN’S STUDENT-ATHLETE
OF THE YEAR
For the second year in a row, Charlotte’s
Darius Law was named the Atlantic 10
Conference’s Indoor Men’s Student-Athlete
of the Year. Law has won the award three
times as he was named to the same honor last
season for the indoor and outdoor season.
The Raleigh, N.C., native owns a
perfect 4.0 grade-point average in Business
Management, currently serves as the
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
President and is the first Charlotte athlete to
be selected as the A-10 representative for the
National SAAC.
Darius Law
Law won the 200m dash (21.97), 400m
dash (47.62) and ran the anchor leg of the
winning 4x400m relay team (3:17.07) for
the Niners at the 2010 Atlantic 10 Indoor
Track & Field Championship to give
Charlotte its third straight A-10 indoor
title. A 13-time league champion in seven
different events, Law has twice been named
the Atlantic 10 Performer of the Year as well
as the 2008 A-10 Rookie of the Year for
the Indoor and Outdoor season during his
freshman season.
To go along with his success in the
Atlantic 10, Law recently became Charlotte’s
seventh NCAA Indoor All-American as
the junior took 12th place in the 200m
in Fayetteville, Ark. His performance was
the first Niner male athlete to achieve all-
American status since 2005.
TIME FOR SPORTS CAMPS
The Charlotte 49ers offer a variety of
summer sports camps for young children.
The camps are professionally staffed by
49ers coaches, players and former players
to offer your child the best instruction
possible. Affordable and fun, the 49ers
Sports Camps will provide an experience
that your child will remember for years to
come. For more information, including
specific camp dates and registration
information, log on to www.charlotte49ers.
com or call the 49ers athletic offices at
704/687-6245.
GREAT GOLD RUSH
AUCTION COMING JUNE 5
Enjoy an exciting night while bidding on
over 1,400 items, ranging from electronics,
getaway vacations, date night dinners, to
sports equipment and memorabilia, artwork
and one-of-kind experiences. The Charlotte
49ers Athletic Foundation’s 27th Annual
Great Gold Rush Auction will be held on
Saturday, June 5, in Halton Arena, which
is located inside the Barnhardt Student
Activity Center at UNC Charlotte. The
silent auction begins at 5 p.m. and will
be followed by the live auction program
at approximately 8:30 p.m. A food
extravaganza will be available throughout
the evening. Proceeds from the event benefit
the Charlotte 49ers athletic scholarship
fund. For more information about the event
log on to www.greatgoldrushauction.com
or call the 49ers Athletic Foundation at
704/687-4950.
www.UNCC.edu
5/21/10 2:13 PM
 s t a ke yo u r c l a i m p ro f i l e

IVY LEAGUE
| UNC CHARLOTTE

TALENT
FROM A
MAGNOLIA
TOWN.
To find world-class talent, you don’t have to look any farther than UNC UNNC Charlotte.
vers and leaders.
Whether it’s academics, athletics, or the arts, we’re home to top achievers
winning faculty,
24,700 students strong and growing, UNC Charlotte boasts an award-winning
notable alumni, and an outstanding student body. Stake your claim m to a university
that’s home to academic achievement.

Kenechukwu Onwugbolu Mona Abbasi,

Marketing, Honors Program, Class of 2011 Biolog
l y/Pre-Med, Honors Program, Class of 2011

www.UNCC.edu Q210 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 27

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 UNC CHARLOTTE | fe a t u re

Helping Others Grow

William Dalen Rice is 2010 Jamgotch Award recipient

By Paul Nowell

William Dalen Rice had to convince

his parents to allow him to go on his first
mission trip to Haiti.
“I assured them that this wouldn’t prevent
me from completing my engineering
education,” he said. “In my head this was
a large fork in the road. I have friends who
went down the normal “American” path.
They now own homes and mortgages, have
wives and kids, and careers with salaries.
“I took the path that Robert Frost
suggested and I have no regrets.”
For Rice, that poetic trail took him to
places where he experienced firsthand the
generosity of people who have “less than
nothing” and that inspired him to give
more of himself. In honor of the exceptional
ways in which Rice gives more of himself
to serve others, he has been selected as the
recipient of the 2009-2010 Nish Jamgotch
Jr. Humanitarian Student Award.
Rice, a graduate student in geography and
earth science, will receive a $10,000 award.
Political science professor emeritus Nish
Jamgotch Jr., who taught at UNC Charlotte
from 1966-1993, established the award
to recognize a student who demonstrates
achievement and notable work in the
humanitarian field.
Rice began his humanitarian efforts
after his sophomore year when he took a
mission trip to Haiti. His activities in UNC
Charlotte’s Venture outdoor recreational
program had prepared him for rustic outdoor
experiences and in Haiti he found even
greater challenges, doing “grunt labor”
to help poverty-stricken people with
physical needs.
For some humanitarians, that might be
enough. Not for him.
Rice subsequently spent summers
counseling children at camps and traveled to
Mexico and Montana on missions with the
United Christian Fellowship. He worked in

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 fe a t u re | UNC CHARLOTTE

Montana with the Blackfeet tribe of Native
Americans and in Mexico on HIV prevention
in community clinics. He worked on another
project in Mexico to improve medical and
dental care for those in need.
“Dalen is the gold standard of an
inspiring young public servant,” said
Ryan Lewis, operations manager with
AmeriCorps*NCCC, in nominating Rice for
the award. He worked with Rice throughout
the southeast tutoring students, building
homes and helping with disaster relief.
“I came to rely on Dalen’s steady presence
and work ethic,” Lewis said. Another
nominator praised Rice for his “matchless
leadership skills,” which he honed through
years of volunteer service.
“We experienced the suffering and
hardship that exists in our society, on
domestic soil (and beyond),” said Rice.
“And then we put shovels to the ground
and hammers to nails to try to make
things right.”
For Rice, he said the experience had a
profound impact.
“As those days drew to a close, we all
were sent off with the belief that we could
do anything and the compulsion that we
should take that ability to solve problems in
our communities,” he said. “These thoughts
and feelings cemented my position as a
community servant, something I don’t ever
see myself not doing.”
The selection committee is chaired
by Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Art Jackson. Members of the committee
were Anita Blowers, criminal justice
and criminology; Lawrence Calhoun,
psychology; Gary Kohut, management;
Al Maisto, Honors College; Tyrel
Moore, geography and earth science; and
community member Barbara Jefferson.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? STILL DOING GOOD

Laura Mesec Associates architectural firm. His
The 2008 award winner, Laura focus there is on environmentally
Mesec lives in Greensboro with her friendly projects. “Right now
fiance, Jonathan, where she teaches I’m completing my professional
high-school English. “Receiving the experience as an architect so I’ll
Jamgotch Award was a huge honor. have the freedom to pick and
To have been picked out of the choose community work.” He
entire UNC Charlotte student body used his Jamgotch Award to go to
is humbling. I have continued to stay Nicarauga, where he helped design
involved with volunteer organizations, and build a community center. “It
Laura Mesec Charles A. Howell
specifically Habitat for Humanity. I have resonates within me. It’s a beacon,
helped out with a few builds through and a guilding light for the experience
the school I teach at and hope to continue to do so. I I’m gaining right now.”
also hope to join a mission team as soon as possible
through my church. The fact that I won the Jamgotch LaKeisha Rainey
Award is always in the back of mind, and that often In 2005, LaKeisha Rainey was
helps to remind me to give back to others and use the recognized with the Jamgotch
gifts that God has given me to help others.” Humanitarian Student Award.
At UNC Charlotte, Rainey co-
Brett Tempest chartered the American Medical
In May, Brett Tempest, who won Student Association, the first
in 2007, was about a month away premedical organization at the
from finishing work for his Ph.D. in university. As president, she helped
infrastructure and environmental plan events that better prepared
LaKeisha Rainey
systems in UNC Charlotte’s civil- students for graduate work. For
engineering department. “I’m looking three years, Rainey was a resident
for an academic job. I’d like to be advisor on campus and volunteered at the Charlotte
a professor in a civil-engineering Rescue Mission; the H.E.L.P Store, which provides
department. I do research on concrete packages of food and clothes to needy families; and
Brett Tempest
materials, and I like the instructional Meals on Wheels of Charlotte.
role, too. Getting the award is the Additionally, Rainey lobbied to improve
only thing that made it possible for me to remain in pharmaceutical drug coverage for seniors and worked
school. Even if I hadn’t gotten the award, I’d have still with the Breast Cancer Resource
remained involved in the community, but certainly Center in Fayetteville to which she
getting it encourages that kind of thing and continues donated some of her award money.
to inspire me.” Tempest and about 20 other volunteers
recently planted Irwin Creek Community Garden on a Andrew Clark
1.4-acre county-owned flood plain. Andrew Clark, who won in 2004,
is an international-project specialist
Charles A. “Chip” Howell with the International Technical
2006 winner Chip Howell lives in Los Angeles, Assistance Program of the U.S.
where he is a junior designer at Marmol Radziner and Department of the Interior. Andrew Clark

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 UNC CHARLOTTE | fe a t u re
Beyond the Stacks
On becoming a modern research library
By Lisa A. Patterson
A threat can become an opportunity.
Perhaps the greatest threat to the university
research library is perception. To hear some
talk, the library will soon go the way of the
Pet Rock. That’s why University Librarian
Stanley Wilder has made it his mission to
change perceptions of UNC Charlotte’s
J. Murrey Atkins Library.
Wilder, a vocal and visible champion of
the library since coming to UNC Charlotte
in 2009, has taken a show and tell approach
to educating would-be library users.
“A lot of what drives me philosophically,
and the library’s direction, is the process to
show the University what they can expect
out of a 21st-century research library,”
30 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q210
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“A lot of what drives Wilder said. “We really hope that over the
course of the next few years we manage to
me philosophically, demonstrate to people that we can make
contributions to the quality and quantity
and the library’s of their work that they would never have
thought possible.”
direction, is the While the nature of information
continues to change rapidly, spurring
process to show discussions about whether the traditional
book will soon become an artifact, Wilder
the University what explained that that question is irrelevant.
they can expect out In fact, the library has always been about
information in its evolving forms and the
of a 21st-century people who use it, and the book is just one
form of information.
research library.” Far from making the library obsolete,
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5/21/10 2:14 PM

Wilder contends the digital environment
gives the library an ocean of new tools
for doing the things libraries have always
done, such as managing and preserving
scholarship, making it accessible and
helping students and faculty interact with it
in meaningful ways.
Wilder looked to companies such as
Xerox and Google for inspiration when
determining how to achieve these goals. For
example, Xerox uses qualitative research to
learn about customers.
“I have a bedrock belief in the value
of qualitative research for understanding
academic communities. You can think of
faculty and students as members of a village.
The appropriate way to understand their
behavior is to use this tool that is established
for just this purpose. Anthropologists have a
set of tools they use for understanding how
people do their work,” Wilder said.
Last fall, he hired Donna Lanclos,
associate professor for anthropological
research, to help implement his vision.
According to Lanclos, one of the basic
assumptions underlying anthropological
research is as follows: Behavior is
comprehensible — there is a logic behind
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UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 31
even the most (to an outsider) illogical act.
“We are capable, through careful
interviewing, observation and other research
techniques, of tapping into that logic, so it
is comprehensible to insiders and outsiders
alike. We aim to make the ‘exotic familiar,
and the familiar exotic,’” Lanclos said.
Through open-ended interview and
observation processes, anthropologists leave
room for the element of surprise; whereas
with means of gathering information such
as surveys, the parameters of response are
limited by the questions.
“On the one hand, the basic nature of
academic work hasn’t changed for hundreds
of years. There’s always this process of
learning what’s known about something,
creating something new, and the new
knowledge goes back into this wonderful
cycle,” Wilder said. “You use anthropology
to keep current of how people are doing
that work — the tools we use, the way
we communicate with one another, how
communication works in terms of peer
review, systems of academic prestige … it’s a
constantly changing scenario out there.”
Through qualitative research, Lanclos
and Wilder have identified several priorities,
fe a t u re | UNC CHARLOTTE
including 1) An overwhelming need for the
library to provide 24-hour service; 2) The
creation of spaces within the library that
meet the needs of students; 3) An overhaul
of the library’s Web site; and 4) Patron
education about the vast array of services
that are available, including the services of
research librarians.
Wilder’s staff has worked to open lines
of communication with patrons in order
to find out what they want and need. For
example, the library Web site will soon be
revamped incorporating feedback from
student forums and several rounds of
usability testing.
Lanclos works closely with the library’s
usability task force. Utilizing software
acquired with the help of the College of
Computing and Informatics, patrons were
asked to complete a set of tasks on the
library Web site. Each task is timed, and
every movement of the mouse is recorded,
creating a record that clearly indicates to
Lanclos and colleagues where Web site
improvements should be made.
“Given that the Web is the library for a
huge portion of the community, there’s so
much more we can do to make it simple
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 UNC CHARLOTTE | fe a t u re
and powerful in the sense of giving people
the best quality resources possible,” Wilder
said. “Google gives you everything that’s
free, and the fact of the matter is if it’s
free, it’s probably not appropriate for the
vast majority of academic uses. Academic
materials cost money, and Google can’t get
you there.”
In addition to the usability testing,
Lanclos has been engaged in more
traditional anthropological research. Her
observations have led to the conclusion
that the first floor of the library is a loud,
confusing place, full of furniture designed
for quiet study space. She also noted that
while faculty are assigning more and more
group work to students, the library is
short on space to accommodate groups.
The library is addressing these issues by
reconfiguring furniture and providing
more places for students to work that
allow for collaboration and use of
portable technology.
The forthcoming provision of 24-hour
service represents another profound shift
in perception. Wilder explained that
24-hour service is among the next logical
steps in UNC Charlotte’s progression as a
modern research university. While 24-hour
service is not cost-prohibitive, the campus
infrastructure must be in place to support it.
32 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q210
UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 32
The library administration is working with
“The new world Campus Police, the Dean of Students Office
and SafeRide to get this done.
we’re entering “The library doing this 24-hour thing
will require a is going to be essentially the first step this
campus has made to 24-hour operation, and
different kind of that’s significant,” Wilder said. “It’s going
to take everybody stepping up to some
attributes. The degree so we can be safe, using these services
and facilities appropriately. The whole
same thing applies community understands it’s time for us to
do this.”
to the library – Where some might see an uphill climb,
Wilder sees opportunity and possibility
we’ll never be unfettered by tradition. In fact, the library
Harvard’s library is well on its way to bolstering UNC
Charlotte’s position as the state’s urban
with its millions research university.
“The new world we’re entering will require
of volumes, but a different kind of attributes. The same
thing applies to the library — we’ll never be
we can still Harvard’s library with its millions of volumes,
but we can still become a great research
become a great library with these things that don’t even cost
money,” Wilder said. “We are free here —
research library we’re not going to look like Princeton; we’re
with these things going look like UNC Charlotte, and we have
all of the tools to do that.”
that don’t even Lisa A. Patterson is senior writer
cost money.” in the Office of Public Relations.
www.UNCC.edu
5/21/10 2:14 PM
 Continued from p. 3
meditation training are really surprising,”
Zeidan noted. “It goes to show that the
mind is, in fact, easily changeable and highly
influenced, especially by meditation.”
The study appears in the April 2 issue
of Consciousness and Cognition. Zeidan’s
co-authors are Susan K. Johnson, Zhanna
David and Paula Goolkasian from the
Department of Psychology at UNC
Charlotte, and Bruce J. Diamond from
William Patterson University in Wayne,
N.J. The research was also part of Zeidan’s
doctoral dissertation. The research also
was presented in April at the Cognitive
Neuroscience Society’s annual meeting
in Montreal.
The experiment involved 63 student
volunteers, 49 of whom completed the
experiment. Participants were randomly
assigned in approximately equivalent
numbers to one of two groups, one of which
received the meditation training while the
other group listened for equivalent periods
of time to a book (J.R.R. Tolkien’s The
Hobbit) being read aloud.
Prior to and following the meditation
and reading sessions, the participants
were subjected to a broad battery of
behavioral tests assessing mood, memory,
visual attention, attention processing
and vigilance.
Both groups performed equally on
all measures at the beginning of the
experiment. Both groups also improved
following the meditation and reading
experiences in measures of mood, but
only the group that received meditation
training improved significantly in cognitive
measures. The meditation group scored
consistently higher averages than the
reading/listening group on all the cognitive
tests and as much as 10 times better on one
challenging test that involved sustaining
the ability to focus while holding other
information in mind.
“The meditation group did especially
better on all the cognitive tests that were
timed,” Zeidan noted. “In tasks where
participants had to process information
under time constraints causing stress,
the group briefly trained in mindfulness
performed significantly better.”
Particularly of note were the differing
www.UNCC.edu
UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 33
“Findings like these suggest that
meditation’s benefits may not require
extensive training to be realized, and that
meditation’s first benefits may be associated
with increasing the ability to sustain
attention,” Zeidan said.
“Further study is warranted,” he stressed,
noting that brain imaging studies would be
helpful in confirming the brain changes that
the behavioral tests seem to indicate, “but
this seems to be strong evidence for
the idea that we may be able to modify
our own minds to improve our cognitive
processing – most importantly in the ability
to sustain attention and vigilance – within a
“The simple process week’s time.”
of focusing on the The meditation training involved in the
study was an abbreviated “mindfulness”
breath in a relaxed training regime modeled on basic
“Shamatha skills” from a Buddhist
manner, in a way meditation tradition, conducted by a
trained facilitator. As described in the paper,
that teaches you “participants were instructed to relax, with
their eyes closed, and to simply focus on
to regulate your the flow of their breath occurring at the tip
of their nose. If a random thought arose,
emotions by raising they were told to passively notice and
one’s awareness acknowledge the thought and to simply let
‘it’ go, by bringing the attention back to
of mental processes the sensations of the breath.” Subsequent
training built on this basic model, teaching
as they’re physical awareness, focus and mindfulness
with regard to distraction.
happening, is like Zeidan likens the brief training the
participants received to a kind of mental
working out a bicep, calisthenics that prepared their minds for
cognitive activity.
but you are doing it “The simple process of focusing on the
to your brain.” breath in a relaxed manner, in a way that
teaches you to regulate your emotions by
Fadel Zeidan raising one’s awareness of mental processes
as they’re happening, is like working out a
bicep, but you are doing it to your brain.
results on a “computer adaptive n-back Mindfulness meditation teaches you to
task,” where participants would have to release sensory events that would easily
correctly remember if a stimulus had been distract, whether it is your own thoughts
shown two steps earlier in a sequence. or an external noise, in an emotion-
If the participant got the answer right, regulating fashion. This can lead to
the computer would react by increasing better, more efficient performance on
the speed of the subsequent stimulus, the intended task.”
further increasing the difficulty of the task. “This kind of training seems to prepare
The meditation-trained group averaged the mind for activity, but it’s not necessarily
approximately 10 consecutive correct permanent,” Zeidan cautions. “This doesn’t
answers, while the listening group averaged mean that you meditate for four days and
approximately one. you’re done – you need to keep practicing.”
Q210 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 33
5/21/10 2:14 PM
 UNC CHARLOTTE | s t a ke yo u r c l a i m p ro f i l e

Development of
an Urban Designer
Tracy Dodson is a champion for Charlotte

By Buffie Stephens

“Now I can be
a champion for
selling Charlotte.”

Tracy Finch Dodson swore she would

never return to North Carolina after
completing graduate studies at Harvard
University. In fact, while interviewing for
a transportation manager’s position at the
Lower Manhattan Development Corp. in
New York City, Dodson decided she didn’t
even want to work on the East Coast. She
dreamed big and the West Coast was calling
so she followed her instinct and wandered.
Dodson, a 1998 graduate of UNC
Charlotte, searched for job opportunities
in California and Washington. While in
Berkeley, she was offered a position with
Peter Calthorpe Associates; Calthorpe
is considered a guru of sustainable
development and urban design. But on the
brink of fulfilling her goal, she realized her
heart belonged to Charlotte and turned
down the offer.
A native of Apex, Dodson knew in
high school that she wanted to study
architecture. “I had two choices,” Dodson
said, “UNC Charlotte or North Carolina
State University, and I needed a change
from the Raleigh area. I wanted to move
away from home.” She visited Charlotte
and “fell in love with the university and the
School of Architecture.”

34 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q210 www.UNCC.edu

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 s t a ke yo u r c l a i m p ro f i l e | UNC CHARLOTTE

“I love UNC Charlotte, and

I’m anxious to see football
and the transit line become
a part of the University.”

After spending her first year as a “normal”
student, she committed to the five-year
architectural program focusing on urban
design. “Between the classes and studio
work, architecture is time-consuming. I
lived vicariously through my roommates
after that,” she said with a laugh.
While doing her thesis work, Dodson
went to work in Charlotte for Shook Design
Group (now Shook Kelley Inc.). Her thesis
involved examining the redevelopment of
the city’s South End community adjacent
to Dilworth. “The trolley was popular, the
redevelopment of South End was moving
forward, mixed-use projects were coming
on line in Charlotte, and Shook Design
was heavily involved in all those endeavors.”
Eventually, Dodson realized she wanted to
concentrate on building communities.
“My focus shifted and I began thinking
more about building a city than a
specific building.”
She left Shook Design to work for
Charlotte’s Planning Department, where she
focused on the South Corridor, transit and
urban design issues. “The city was a great
landing ground for me. I could focus on
development.” She began contemplating a
career as a real estate developer but knew she
needed more business expertise.
That revelation sent her to
Harvard University, which offered an
interdisciplinary, hands-on approach to its
program for professionals who had been out
in the workforce. Many of the program’s
professors worked on projects in major
cities across the country. Dodson took the
business and real estate courses she needed
to enhance her skills.
She finished at Harvard with a Master of
Design Studies with a concentration in real
estate and urban development. One of the
most memorable projects she worked on
was planning the redevelopment of Ground
Zero in New York City.
Upon leaving Harvard, the wanderlust
began, and so did the fascination with
working on the West Coast. But as she
interviewed and traveled, Dodson began
to realize that Charlotte was a great
place to conduct business. “Other large,
established cities take so much longer to
execute projects because of their politics. I
felt I could come back to Charlotte and be
effective in helping grow the city.” In 2003,
she returned, committed and determined
to make a significant contribution to the
city’s growth.
In the time since, Dodson has consulted
for the City of Charlotte and other groups.
She’s also worked for Charlotte’s Economic
Development Office as its transit station
development coordinator and at Harris
Development Group. Focused on transit-
oriented development in the urban in-field,
“I was able to put all the pieces together
by incorporating design and smart growth
principles with a focus on transit.”
But as the economy soured in 2008,
development ground to a halt. Dodson
realized her company might not be able to
sustain all four project managers.
When Charlotte Center City Partners
approached her for ideas about a new
position that would focus on selling
Charlotte’s Center City and South End,
Dodson decided that she wanted to be a
part of the initiative. She joined CCCP as
director of economic development in July
2009. “Now I can be a champion for selling
Charlotte. Nationally, we’re known as a
good city to live in, and we attract young
talent, in spite of the banks contracting.
Charlotte also has a depth of talent already
here and we’re diversifying with careers in
health care and energy.”
“Tracy understands the needs of the
office brokers and the unique role Charlotte
Center City Partners can play as a facilitator
to grow jobs and recruit new companies
to Uptown and South End,” said Michael
Smith, president and CEO of CCCP.
Dodson remains thoroughly engaged
with UNC Charlotte, returning to lecture
at the request of School of Architecture
professors Deborah Ryan and David Walters
and visiting lecturer James Bartl. She also
lectures in geography classes that focus on
transit-oriented development.
“I love UNC Charlotte, and I’m anxious
to see football and the transit line become a
part of the University.”
Buffie Stephens is media relations
manager in the Office of Public Relations.

www.UNCC.edu Q210 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 35

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 UNC CHARLOTTE | s t a ke yo u r c l a i m p ro f i l e
By Phillip Brown
Success at Bringing
People Together
Michael Marsicano gets Distinguished Service Award
Michael Marsicano has been a driving
force in the Charlotte region for more than
two decades. As Charlotte has emerged
as a leading city of the New South,
Marsicano helped that ascension by building
relationships that stressed the importance of
cultural arts to the community.
“Michael has great vision, which is
something Charlotte has needed,” said Leon
36 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q210
UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 36
Levine, founder of Family Dollar Stores
and the Leon Levine Foundation. “He’s
done a tremendous amount for the cultural
community of Charlotte; we’re ranked near
the top and Mike deserves the credit.”
As president of the Foundation For The
Carolinas (FFTC), Marsicano now heads a
community enterprise with assets totaling
more than $775 million. The foundation
Marsicano is an accomplished musician,
particularly the oboe. Marsicano also finds joy
in raising tulips, and entertains each spring
to share the beauty of his flowers with others.
supports a significant number of charities
and non-profit organizations in the greater
Charlotte metropolitan region. Before
that, he served as president of the Arts
& Science Council.
The arts are vital to a community,
according to Marsicano. “If you define
the soul of a community, you can’t define
it without the arts. It is the expression of
www.UNCC.edu
5/21/10 2:14 PM

civilization and who we are and what we
believe in.”
Consistently named as one of the
city’s most influential people, Marsicano
demonstrates “success at bringing people
together.” Marsicano has tripled the
assets of the FFTC and has transformed
the foundation into an organization that
takes leadership roles on a number of civic
initiatives. The foundation is currently
addressing several pressing community needs,
including providing city-wide affordable
housing options to avoid concentrating
poverty in any one area; completing the
greenway system linking the region’s 15
counties; administering a critical need
fund focused on providing shelter, food
and warmth to the community’s neediest
citizens; and running programs focused
on strengthening and restructuring our
nonprofit community.
In addition to K-12 educational concerns,
Marsicano has been a strong supporter of
higher education, especially UNC Charlotte.
Ruth Shaw, chair of the UNC Charlotte
Board of Trustees, stated that Marsicano has
been a valuable asset to the University. “He
was a significant member of the task force that
recommended the creation of the College of
Arts + Architecture. His deep knowledge of
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UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 37
s t a ke yo u r c l a i m p ro f i l e
the Charlotte and cultural communities led
him to see the obvious benefits.”
She also noted his long-time service as a
member of the UNC Charlotte Foundation
Board of Trustees as well as a founding
member of the University’s Institute for
Social Capital.
Whenever asked to serve, Marsicano “has
quickly stepped forward to bring his insight,
his passion and his intelligence to every task,”
said Shaw. “It’s been a great privilege to work
| UNC CHARLOTTE
with Michael on a variety of projects over the
past 20 years.”
UNC Charlotte’s continued growth and
maturation is a prime focus for Marsicano.
“The realization of our North Carolina
campus, the University of North Carolina at
Charlotte, to become the research institution
that is on the drawing board,” Marsicano
stated. “In today’s economic world, you
cannot compete as a region without a
major research university. That is the one
accomplishment that all of us should put our
energy, time and money behind for the future
of our community.”
In recognition of his two decades of
service to the Charlotte region and the
University, Marsicano will receive the UNC
Charlotte Distinguished Service Award at a
formal reception in his honor in June. The
Distinguished Service Award was established
in 1987 by the Board of Trustees of UNC
Charlotte and the Board of Directors of
the University Foundation. It honors those
who have provided outstanding leadership
and exemplary service to the Charlotte
community and to the advancement of
UNC Charlotte.
Phillip Brown is internal communications
manager in the Office of Public Relations.
Q210 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 37
5/21/10 2:14 PM
 Continued from p. 11
venues and bars ooze with Avett Brothers
vibes. And so do some UNC Charlotte
campus buildings. Back when Seth Avett
was studying printmaking in the Arts
Department, the band would jam into the
wee hours of the morning in the studios in
Rowe Hall.
Seth said other UNC Charlotte students
and faculty members who also worked late
into the night were gracious enough never
to complain about the strange noises that
sometimes emanated from the studio.
“We had a lot of long nights in Rowe
Hall,” he said. “Anybody who happened to
be around was going to listen to a real mess
going on in those rooms some nights.”
So Avett can be forgiven for shrugging
off the lack of attention he gets from the
patrons of the coffee shop. It reminds him
of old times back in 2002, when the brothers
would try out their latest songs for 12 people
without regard to fame or fortune.
Later on, the Avett Brothers were
playing at local venues like Puckett’s Farm
Equipment, Fat City and the Wine Vault.
“To be truthful, we started out in an
alcove outside the Wine Vault,” he said.
“We’d play three and a half hours and before
too long the owner decided we can play
inside. By the end of our run, we’d get 300
to 400 people there to see us.”
All the while, the band’s music catalogue
continued to grow and its live performances
became legendary. One of the biggest breaks
came when the group was booked to play
MerleFest. Thousands of fans got a taste of
what was to come.
Some of the nonchalant coffee drinkers a
few seats away could easily have been among
the fans that jammed into concert halls across
the United States or international stops such
as Dublin, Paris, Oslo and Sydney to see
the Avett Brothers put on one of the group’s
legendary performances.
But on this day, Avett enjoys his obscurity
when matched up against the hordes of crazed
fans that push up against the stage at most
shows, many singing every song note for note.
“I remember telling Scott one time that we
should bring some extra microphones and give
our voices a rest some nights,” he said, smiling
at his own joke. “Sometimes you can’t hear us
over the fans.”
38 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q210
UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 38
Having recently returned from an
international tour, the band is keeping up its
frenetic pace. “It’s been a journey for sure,”
said the soft-spoken musician. “I rarely get
the chance to sit and reflect on where we
were and where we’ve come to. When I do, I
think about the major steps we’ve taken.”
Avett is truly appreciative of the success
he and the band have achieved, and he
readily admits he’s fine with the fact that it
took almost a decade for the Avett Brothers
to make it.
“If we had received all this attention
when I was 20, it could have been a
disaster,” he said. “I would not have been
prepared to see my picture on a magazine
cover. Too much ill-advised ego comes
when people are making too big a deal
about it. Now I’m a grown man, with a
wife. Scott and Bob (Crawford) are married
and have kids. I feel we are in a much better
place for receiving all this attention.
“The older you get, the more reasons
there are for you to be humble,” he said,
adding: “The older I get, the more ludicrous
it is to think I’m the man.”
“You need to keep popularity in its
place,” he said. “That’s why we try not to
pay too much attention to the press we get.
I think of the reaction we get from the fans
at the shows. “
He said right now the band is at a creative
peak, and he and Scott are writing new
songs all the time. And the band’s chemistry
also is gelling like never before, so members
are able to work through new ideas and
melodies in the short breaks they have
between tour dates.
“Scott and I can go into the studio and
get as much done in three days as it once
took us two weeks to get through,” he said.
“The time we have off is devoted to laying
down some new ideas. We are getting much
better at creating more efficiently.”
Avett laughs when asked if he is unique
on the musical circuit because he has a
college degree.
“A lot of the great musicians we see
around the country were a lot like us when
they were young and just out of high
school,” he said. “Just like me, they were
confused and lost and they knew college was
a legitimate use of their time.”
As for Avett, he has fond memories of his
years at UNC Charlotte. Scott graduated
from East Carolina University, so they
made friends with a lot of students at
both universities.
“I have a lot of great friends I met at
UNC Charlotte that I’m still close to,” he
said. “I think that is true for a lot of folks
because when you are in college you are a
lot more like the person you are going to be
for the rest of your life.”
He also is unabashedly proud of
the connection.
“I really love this school,” he said. “I
think it’s a great university with a lot of
versatility that makes it worthwhile to a lot
of people with different interests.”
“I studied printmaking at UNC
Charlotte, and the artistic community was
a whole separate world than I was used to
being around,” he said. “I really warmed up
to the vibrancy and motivation I got from
this new world.”
He also learned quickly that college was
demanding and that he needed to develop
good work habits to keep up with his
studies while also playing music. When he
came back for a visit several years after being
away, Avett felt a strong sense of nostalgia.
“It just came over me and I realized how
much I loved and missed this place,” he said.
Like a lot of other graduates who hadn’t
been back to the campus in awhile, he
also was startled by the new buildings and
other improvements.
“This school is growing in its legacy and
its personality,” he said. “It’s amazing.”
Paul Nowell is media relations
manager at UNC Charlotte.
www.UNCC.edu
5/21/10 2:14 PM

1970s
R.T. (Rodney) Smith, ’70, was recently
named University Writer-in-Residence
at Washington and Lee University. His
most recent book of short stories, The
Calaboose Epistles, will be released
by Iris Press in the fall. Last year he
received the Library of Virginia Poetry
Book of the Year Award and a Virginia
Governor’s Award for Excellence in
the Arts.
Miley W. (Bucky) Glover, ‘76, CPA, of
Monroe, has been appointed to a three-
year term as a member of the State
Board of Certified Public Accountant
(CPA) Examiners. The Board is an
independent State agency that grants
certificates of qualification as CPAs to
those individuals who meet the legal
requirements. Glover was licensed as
a North Carolina CPA in 1978. A past
president and treasurer of the North
Carolina Association of CPAs (NCACPA),
Glover served as a member of the
NCACPA’s Board of Directors and
Executive Committee.
Holly Barcus
1990s
Macalester College has granted tenure
status to Holly Barcus, ‘95 associate
professor in the Geography Department.
Barcus received her B.A. and M.A. from
UNC Charlotte and her Ph.D. from
Kansas State University. She joined
the Macalester faculty as an assistant
professor in 2005. Barcus teaches
www.UNCC.edu
UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 39
class notes | UNC CHARLOTTE
“Rural Landscapes and Livelihoods,”
introductory and advanced GIS classes
as well as a population geography
course. Macalester is nationally
recognized for its long-standing
commitment to academic excellence,
internationalism, multiculturalism and
civic engagement.
Judson Gee ‘93, an independent
financial advisor at JHG Financial in
Charlotte was recognized as a top
financial advisor and named to the
LPL Financial Director’s Club. This Mark A. Beers
distinction is based on an annual
production ranking of all registered
advisors supported by LPL Financial, new position, Beers will report to A&B
the nation’s largest independent Vice President, Controller and Assistant
broker-dealer, and is awarded to less Treasurer Paul Ito, who will assume
than 25 percent of the firm’s 12,027 oversight responsibility for corporate
advisors nationwide. Gee is affiliated planning. His key responsibilities will be
with LPL Financial and provides to lead corporate planning activities,
conflict-free financial planning including the development of annual
services, investment advice and operating plans, periodic forecasts,
asset management services to over capital plans, and special studies related
200 clients in Charlotte and the to corporate development.
surrounding area.
2000s
What are you doing?
Pamela Mims, ’09, is the 2010 recipient
of the Student Research Award in It is time to share what you’ve
the Single-Subject Design category
presented by the Division of Research been up to lately and let other
Council for Exceptional Children. Now a
research associate in the Department alums help you toot your horn or
of Special Education and Child spread the word on small or large
Development, Mims trained a teacher
and two paraprofessionals to implement achievements. We want to hear
a prompt hierarchy during shared
stories with four students. The results from you.
indicated all four students increased the
Visit the Alumni Affairs Web site
number of comprehension questions
answered correctly during the three at www.unccharlottealumni.org
shared stories.
and tell us what you’ve been
Mark A. Beers ‘03 has joined Alexander
doing.
& Baldwin, Inc. (NYSE:ALEX) (A&B) as
manager, corporate planning. Beers Or write Alumni Affairs, UNC
moves to A&B from the company’s
Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company Charlotte, 9201 University City
(HC&S) on Maui, where he served as
Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28223-0001
assistant controller since 2005. He
earned his MBA at UNC Charlotte. In his
Q210 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 39
5/21/10 2:14 PM
 UNC CHARLOTTE | building blocks

RITES OF
Could it be love? On a languid late springtime
afternoon in 1971, on the front porch of the Kennedy

SPRING
40 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine
building, two students steal a few moments to
chat. What’s the topic? The Econ test that he just
bombed and she just aced? The fact that “Brown
Sugar” by the Rolling Stones had just nudged
“Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night from the
Billboard #1 spot on the pop music charts? The
impending completion of the library’s Dalton Tower
(background)? Whatever the topic, the vibrations
were sure to be far out and groovy.
| Q210 www.UNCC.edu

UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 40 5/21/10 2:14 PM


Education, Holistic Vision, Key to Creating Energy Solutions
By Steve Patterson
Interim Director, Energy Production and Infrastructure Center
Leaders in the energy industry converged
on Charlotte recently for the Energy Inc.
summit, highlighting the growing importance
of the energy industry to the Charlotte region.
Now is a good time to reflect on Charlotte’s
rise to prominence in a drive to become
the nation’s “New Energy Capital,” as well
as on how the nation should approach the
development of energy solutions.
When we think about energy, we need to
think about it holistically. The nation’s energy
production and distribution system is both
large and complex, and must be understood
as such by politicians and private citizens
alike. Oftentimes, however, decisions that
impact the energy landscape are ruled by a
combination of emotion and consideration
of the parts apart from a view of the whole.
Educated leadership across the broad spectrum
of government, business and supporting
institutions is essential to create an energy
climate that is both innovative and practical.
Perhaps most importantly, we need a
well-educated populace in order to guide
decision making in a democratic society.
Industry leaders are looking toward
UNC Charlotte to help address critical
shortages in the intellectual capital
– workforce and research – that are
UNCC-2Q10-final.indd 45
necessary to modernize current energy
production operations and facilitate the
development of alternative energy sources.
Recognizing an opportunity for long-
term collaboration that will benefit the
community and industry, as well as reinforce
Charlotte’s position as a global leader
in energy production, UNC Charlotte
has created the Energy Production and
Infrastructure Center (EPIC).
EPIC will certainly increase the region’s
supply of trained engineers and provide
vital expertise and research support.
But I contend that the University’s role
should be more broadly defined — UNC
Charlotte, through its various programs
and community engagement initiatives
helps advance the nation’s energy objectives
p e rs p e c t i v e | UNC CHARLOTTE
by educating students and the public to
think clearly, and with some technical
literacy, about important issues. Citizens
have a direct impact on the nation’s energy
outcomes, and a population that is more
discerning and can think critically will help
lawmakers achieve optimal outcomes.
Simply put, there’s a role for business
and industry, the government and for
the University, and our unique role is
expressed both in our broad curriculum
and more specifically in EPIC. Our mission
is to examine carefully the technical issues
around energy production, infrastructure
and development, and our extraordinary
faculty, who represent a variety of positions
on energy related issues, do just that.
Undoubtedly, the country will benefit
from a two-pronged approach to energy
independence — we must enhance and
modernize existing methods of energy
production and develop new avenues to
energy ingenuity. The Charlotte region
will be at the forefront of identifying
energy solutions and UNC Charlotte will
be there as a partner contributing both
directly through EPIC and by fulfilling
its educational mission to create a more
informed and thoughtful public.
5/21/10 2:14 PM
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The University of North Carolina

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THE SPIRIT, PHILOSOPHY AND ART OF

THE ASIAN GARDENING TRADITION ARE
ALIVE AND WELL ON CAMPUS IN UNC
CHARLOTTE’S NEW ASIAN GARDEN.

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