“Bonnie Cone: Educator, Trailblazer, Visionary” is on display on the first floor of the Atkins Library. It tells the story of UNC Charlotte’s founder, Bonnie Ethel Cone.
The display features photos, drawings, letters and other memorabilia about Cone, along with a video tribute. An online exhibit complements the physical display, located in the alcove near Room 125.
The exhibit series were a project of the Atkins Library Special Collection, which houses the papers of “Miss Bonnie,” as she was widely known.
“The website and accompanying physical exhibit and video celebrate the unique personal qualities that made Cone powerful enough to build a university and better the lives of countless students, faculty, staff and members of the greater Charlotte community,” said Meredith Evans, associate University librarian, special collections.
Born June 22, 1907, in Lodge, S.C., Cone served as director of the Charlotte Center of the University of North Carolina. The center had opened Sept. 23, 1946, as one of 14 across the state to serve veterans returning from World War II. It offered evening classes to 278 freshmen and sophomore students in the facilities of Charlotte’s Central High School.
When the state moved to close the center in 1949, Cone rallied Charlotte’s education and business leaders to have the Charlotte Center taken over by the city school district and operated as Charlotte College.
Cone served as director and president of Charlotte College. With the creation of UNC Charlotte in 1965, Cone was acting chancellor prior to the installation of Dean Colvard. Afterward, she was named vice chancellor for student affairs and community relations, a position she held until her retirement in 1973. She continued her advocacy of UNC Charlotte until her death March 8, 2003.
“Bonnie Cone: Educator, Trailblazer, Visionary” will be on display through December.