News and Features

Anita Blowers, associate professor of criminal justice and criminology, is among the five finalists for the 2014 Bank of America Award for Teaching Excellence, one of the University’s highest honors.

While new to the University Honors Program, Jennifer Warner is a veteran UNC Charlotte faculty member. In assuming the UHP directorship, Warner brings a STEM perspective to the program.

The process to create a vision plan focused on the redevelopment of the North Tryon Street area in Uptown Charlotte will begin this week.

UNC Charlotte students will have the chance to win prizes and gift cards from IKEA Charlotte – after they answer trivia questions about mental health, substance abuse, stress management and other topics related to their mental and physical health.

Teaming up with students from England’s University of Birmingham, two graduate students from the Lee College Engineering participated in the third annual Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Railway Challenge this summer, where they learned that building a working electric locomotive is a real challenge.

Starting this fall, Meredith College M.B.A. students will have the option to earn a concentration in health informatics from UNC Charlotte through a partnership between the two institutions.

The Orbis Grille at PORTAL, a new campus dining facility, opens Monday, Aug. 18, and will feature a vibrant mix of breakfast and lunch fare. According to auxiliary services, Orbis Grille will offer salads, sandwiches and featured entrees with a “global flavor.” Its Evo grill action station, which is a round, open cook top, offers a  healthy cooking method and chef interaction.

Larry Mellichamp, director of the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, has written “Native Plants of the Southeast,” which was published by Timber Press.

AREVA TN Americas and UNC Charlotte’s William States Lee College of Engineering are partnering to recognize engineering and innovation in the Carolinas this fall through “Honoring our Legacy: Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders.”

Jay Grymes, interim chair of the Department of Music, has written a new book “Violins of Hope: Instruments of Hope and Liberation in Mankind’s Darkest Hour.” The book, published by HarperCollins, is receiving critical praise and should be in bookstores now.

Gina Ramoz recently joined UNC Charlotte as biosafety director in the Office of Research and Economic Development. With nearly 30 years of scientific experience working in clinical, research and academic laboratories, Ramoz will manage the biosafety program for the University’s rapidly growing and evolving research and academic environment.

Week of Welcome (WOW) is an annual tradition and helps the University kick off the academic year. More than 50 events take place between Friday, Aug. 15, and Sunday, Aug. 24.