University to commemorate 70 years of creating opportunity

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Remarks from a former Secretary of Defense, the kickoff for Giving Green, an exponential celebration in the Student Union, 49er Fest at UNC Charlotte Center City, and dedication of a time capsule are among the events planned for the 2016 Founders Celebration, scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 20, through Saturday, Sept. 24.

“In the 70 years since its founding, UNC Charlotte’s transformation into a research university has been exponential. Our establishment as the Charlotte Center, a night school serving World War II veterans, dates back to Sept. 23, 1946. Today, we are North Carolina’s urban research university with a student enrollment of nearly 28,700,” said Chancellor Philip L. Dubois. “I encourage students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends to participate in the events planned for Founders Celebration, an opportunity to reflect upon our past successes and anticipate the many opportunities ahead.”

Because Founders Celebration is a chance to preserve Niner Nation history, one of the events is the dedication of a commemorative time capsule. Chancellor Dubois and Student Body President Fahn Darkor will preside at a presentation ceremony for the time capsule at noon, Sept. 20, at Belk Plaza. Organizers plan for the capsule to be unearthed in 2046 during the University’s centennial celebration.

A Conversation with Robert Gates,” this year’s Chancellor’s Speakers Series event, will be at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 21, in the Student Union, Multipurpose Room. Gates served as Secretary of Defense under two presidents from 2006 to 2011. Before that, he was president of Texas A&M University. In a 27-year career as an intelligence officer, Gates advanced from an entry-level employee to director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Register to attend this free event, which is open to the entire campus community. Gates' appearance at UNC Charlotte is being funded privately by an anonymous donor.

On Thursday, Sept. 22, faculty and staff members are invited to a free luncheon for the kickoff to the annual Giving Green Campaign. This event, set for 11:30 a.m. in the Student Union, Multipurpose Room, is the start of the University’s unified, campus-wide fundraising effort to benefit the Arts & Science Council, the nearly 1,000 nonprofit organizations of the State Employees Combined Campaign, and the UNC Charlotte Foundation.

At the same time, #NinerNationGives, a 36-hour social media-driven fundraising campaign, will launch with an event for students on the plaza between the College of Education and the College of Health and Human Services. #NinerNationGives, as part of the celebration of UNC Charlotte, is a concentrated “day of giving” to build community and better connect alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of the University.

An Exponential Celebration, planned for 12:15 p.m., Sept. 22, in the Student Union Rotunda, will be a high point of this year’s commemoration. Chancellor Dubois and University leaders will reveal the naming of the Student Union, which will honor two distinguished alumni for their generous support of UNC Charlotte, and will deliver a major announcement that will affect UNC Charlotte’s future. The campus and greater Charlotte community are invited to attend.

Then, that evening from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at UNC Charlotte Center City, alumni and friends of the University can continue to celebrate the University’s 70 years of providing a transformative collegiate experience during 49er Fest. More details are on the Web. (Update on this event, effective 8 a.m., Sept. 22, it has been canceled.)

The 41st International Festival will be the final event during the 2016 Founders Celebration. This long-standing campus tradition recognizes the University’s and Charlotte’s growing diversity through various events, art, costumes, dance and food representing cultures from around the world. International Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24, in and around the Barnhardt Student Activity Center.