In his latest visit to a key regional community, UNC Charlotte Chancellor Philip L. Dubois delivered the keynote address on Tuesday to members of the Salisbury Rotary Club.
In his presentation, Dubois discussed the close relationship between Rowan County and the University. Delivering an upbeat message for even more future collaboration, he updated key business, civic, elected and education leaders on UNC Charlotte and asked for their input.
“Over the past year, we have intentionally visited important communities in our region,” Dubois said. “With the vast majority of our alumni, students and donors within these 12 counties, it is important for us to update you on your University and receive your feedback on what you need from us.”
Dubois also stressed the value of maintaining the connections between the University and Rowan County.
“It’s a fact that Rowan County students like UNC Charlotte – of all the college students from here who are pursuing an education at UNC system schools, 26 percent attend UNC Charlotte,” he said. “That’s more than double the percentage at any other (UNC System) campus.”
Currently, the University enrolls 473 students from Rowan County, which includes 47 freshmen, 54 transfers (more than half from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College) and 85 graduate students. Roughly 2,700 of the University’s 60,000 alums in the region live in Rowan County, and 63 University employees live in the county.
During his day-long visit, Dubois also met with key business and community leaders, including Carol Spalding, president of Rowan Cabarrus Community College, and Lynne Scott Safrit of the N.C. Research Campus and Castle & Cook. Also, Salisbury Mayor Paul Woodson Jr. officially proclaimed Dec. 4 UNC Charlotte Day in the city.
The visit concluded with an alumni reception featuring men’s basketball coach Alan Major.