Every event that happens in the James H. Barnhardt Student Activity Center (SAC) must be directed, planned and overseen. Zach Rutledge is the person who is tackling these tasks every day.
As associate director for events and programming, Rutledge is responsible for the larger events that occur in the SAC. He joined the University about five years ago, and he moved into his current position in June 2011.
According to Rutledge, his typical day involves dealing with the logistics of planning events and changing between events. The building is staffed 24 hours a day, and there are usually events taking place every day.
For Rutledge, one of his favorite events is commencement. “I like to see the students finishing what they've done. There are definitely other events that we work that I find more entertaining, but I love the atmosphere of commencement. Everyone coming in, the students are so excited, and the looks on their faces when they are in the facility in the morning when they walk across the stage. It's well worth coming for those two days during the year. It gives me that feeling of accomplishment for them.”
Originally from Silver Spring, Md., Rutledge completed his undergraduate degree in athletic training and physical education at Catawba College. Before UNC Charlotte, he lived in Kuwait for a year, where he was as a civilian employee for the U.S. Air Force working in the morale, recreation and welfare department.
Despite the demands of his job, he still finds time for life beyond work. He likes to coach baseball, and he has worked with a range of students starting as young as age 10 to the college level. “It's what I do to balance out my professional life and personal life. I'm an extremely competitive person, but I don't necessarily use any of that for my day-to-day work, nor do I really want to. So it's sort of like an outlet for that. Coaching is a way for me to help people grow and develop; get better at what they're trying to do, but also satisfy my personal competitiveness I have.”
The fall semester is one of change for Rutledge; he is getting married this month, and he recently became a first-time uncle.