Chancellor Philip L. Dubois focused on the University’s past and future in his Convocation remarks, noting in a highly competitive world of higher education, interest in UNC Charlotte continues to climb.
"Notwithstanding some challenges … this institution finds itself in a very good place,” he said. “Completed applications for freshman admission this fall reached 15,600, an 80 percent increase since 2005. Our goal with all of these students, of course, is to send degree recipients out into the world of work as productive and engaged members of the community.”
Public esteem for the institution continues to be robust, as well. Dubois listed a number of faculty and University accolades earned during the past year, such as the Solar Decathlon team’s winning the People’s Choice Award at the U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored national competition, Steve Clark’s recognition as a Governor’s Award for Excellence recipient, Johan Enslin’s selection as an “Energy Leadership” award winner and the Belk Innovation in Diversity Award, not to mention national recognition for facilities management and best practices in human resources learning and development.
According to Dubois, in the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute’s annual survey of Mecklenburg County residents this past year, responding to how they would rate the University’s value to the Charlotte community, a combined 70.4 percent rank the institution’s value as above average or excellent.
Looking ahead, Dubois stated the University will complete its long-range enrollment growth plan, and 35,000 students enrolled remains a reasonable target.
The University added a 21st doctoral degree, the Ph.D. in Public Health Sciences, and two master’s degrees – professional science master’s in data science and business analytics and a master’s degree in applied energy and electromechanical systems.
The chancellor mentioned the opportunity to enhance marketing of graduate programs to target audiences and developing some online options, and as part of the academic planning process, the University will explore the potential for expanding graduate offerings. Two doctoral proposals have been submitted to UNC General Administration – a Ph.D. in Educational Research, Measurement and Evaluation and a Doctor of Business Administration.
Within the Division for Student Affairs, Dubois discussed the creation of a new office to investigate and resolve complaints of sexual assault and implement a training program to increase awareness of University obligations under Title IX with respect to issues of sexual assault.
Under the leadership of Beth Hardin, the Division for Business Affairs will examine options to address space needs. The chancellor also discussed a number of construction projects under way, such as the 406-bed residence hall complex in South Village and the South Village Crossing dining facility. He added the University will explore renovation the Cone University Center and the Residence Dining Hall, and final assessments will be made on a potential hotel-conference center near the future light rail stop on North Tryon Street, a health and wellness center and a joint private-public venture to create a competitive aquatic center that could support a women’s collegiate swimming team. In addition, work to relocate Phillips Road and create a southbound entrance onto campus from Harris Boulevard at Alumni Way is on the horizon.
Dubois also mentioned that the University will host the UNC system Board of Governors on campus in February 2015, which will be ahead of the 50th anniversary of UNC Charlotte’s entrance into the consolidated UNC system by act of the N.C. General Assembly (March 2, 1965). The University last hosted such a meeting in 1972.
“In that first year, we awarded 85 degrees in a dozen baccalaureate degree programs,” said Dubois. “Since then, in a short 50 years, we have awarded nearly 123,000 degrees at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. That’s 123,000 lives changed for the better, with the support of dedicated faculty and staff working in an institution that has to be considered one of the greatest success stories of American higher education.”
Convocation is an annual ceremony with remarks from University leaders; faculty members awarded tenure, those who have 25 years of service and those who have been promoted to full professor are recognized.
Watch a recording of the chancellor’s Convocation remarks, or read the entire address.