Since 1968, UNC Charlotte has offered honors programs beginning with the departments of Chemistry, Foreign Languages, History and Political Science.
In the 45 years since, that number has continued to increase to a total of 26 honors programs. On Friday and Saturday, March 22-23, the Honors College will host a special celebration to mark 10 years of the Honors College, five years of the Arts + Architecture Honors Program, 20 years of the Business Honors Program, 25 years of the Teaching Fellows Program, 30 years of the University Honors Program and almost a half-century of departmental honors.
Malin Pereira, professor of English and executive director of the Honors College, noted that “honors education and programming on this campus has grown with the needs of our students and will continue to grow to embrace our mission as a growing urban research university committed to undergraduate research and achievement. "
The campus celebration will begin at 10 a.m., March 22, with an open house at the University Honors College Offices in the Cone University Center, Room 369. Members of the campus community can join the honors programs for a resource fair that will showcase current student work and will provide information about the following honors programs:
- University Honors Program
- Departmental Honors Programs in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- College of Education Honors Program
- Teaching Fellows Program
- College of Computing and Informatics Honors Program
- Business Honors Program
- College of Arts + Architecture Honors Program
- Exercise Science Honors Program in the College of Health and Human Services
- Levine Scholars Program
At noon, there will be a short program to recognize former associate dean of the Honors College Al Maisto and other founding figures; Provost Joan Lorden and Pereira will speak. The open house continues to 3 p.m. Lemonade and cookies will be served.
As part of the celebration, alumni are being invited back to campus on March 23 to attend the 13th annual Graduate Research Symposium being held in Atkins Library, and for a special picnic at Harris Alumni Center at Johnson Glenn. That evening, Chancellor Philip L. Dubois will host a special reception for honors alumni and their guests.