Three memorial scholarships, an academic conference and a Nursing White Coat Ceremony are among the initiatives seeking financial support through Crowdfund UNC Charlotte, an online platform through University Advancement that assists members of Niner Nation fund unique opportunities.
Eight projects were selected this spring that are student-, faculty- or alumni-driven initiatives. UNC Charlotte faculty and staff members provide guidance for the projects. Prior to their selection, project organizers submitted proposals to the Division of University Advancement.
Crowdfund UNC Charlotte projects for spring 2018 are “Dr. Jeannine S. Skinner Memorial Scholarship,” “Women in Business Fall 2018 Retreat,” “Sigma Tau Delta – Academic Conference,” “School of Nursing’s White Coat Ceremony,” “Gold Dusters Nationals Trip,” “Greg Underwood Music Scholarship,” “Gold Reel Student Film Festival” and the “Camina Davis Memorial Public Health Scholarship.”
Dr. Jeannine S. Skinner Memorial Scholarship
In honor of Jeannine Skinner’s memory, her colleagues in psychology and gerontology, along with friends at the University, have created a scholarship in her name. Skinner was passionate about providing opportunities for student research and learning. To honor this passion, they have established a scholarship fund to support graduate student research and provide funds for conference travel opportunities. Skinner died in September 2017. Organizers are seeking $15,000 for this memorial scholarship.
Women in Business Fall 2018 Retreat
The Women in Business Initiative hosts a variety of opportunities to empower undergraduate students to achieve personal and professional goals and enter confidently into the business marketplace. At the fall 2018 retreat, students will learn about risk taking, teamwork and building confidence from various speakers and activities, including a high-ropes course. Students will return to campus with a new set of skills and be better equipped for their college journey and beyond. Organizers are seeking $4,000 for this initiative.
Sigma Tau Delta – Academic Conference
Six English Honor Society students, who have created two roundtable presentations, have been accepted as speakers for an academic conference by the national organization. The first roundtable addresses the impact of DACA in American culture and the second explores human sex trafficking. The National Sigma Tau Delta Convention will be in Cincinnati, Ohio, in April 2018. The organization is seeking 35 donors to help cover the costs associated with registration, travel and accommodations.
School of Nursing’s White Coat Ceremony
The School of Nursing’s biannual White Coat Ceremony celebrates and welcomes nursing graduates into the profession in a formal, profound and heartfelt way. The students are recognized for their compassion, their dedication to the profession and their community service. The School of Nursing is seeking 49 donors to help cover the costs of new lab coats for all of its graduates.
The UNC Charlotte Gold Dusters team is a competitive collegiate group comprised of 21 dancers ages 18-22. The Gold Dusters perform at UNC Charlotte sporting events and make special appearances across the city of Charlotte. The organization is seeking $15,000 to attend the Collegiate National Dance Competition in Daytona Beach, Florida, in April 2018.
Greg Underwood Music Scholarship
The Greg Underwood Music Scholarship honors the UNC Charlotte staff accompanist. During two decades, Underwood left indelible marks on virtually every music student by accompanying countless choir concerts, opera productions and degree recitals on piano, organ, harpsichord and percussion. Underwood died in December 2017. Organizers are seeking $10,000 for this memorial scholarship.
Gold Reel Student Film Festival
The UNC Charlotte Film Club plans to host the fifth annual Gold Reel Student Film Festival this April to celebrate student filmmaking. This student film festival is unique as an international film festival created and run by 49er students. The quality of the films featured in the festival, along with the quality of the overall event, is a powerful example of what can be accomplished by the students at UNC Charlotte. Organizers are seeking $2,500 for this initiative.
Camina Davis Memorial Public Health Scholarship
The Camina Davis Memorial Public Health Scholarship honors the lecturer in the Department of Public Health Sciences who died in January 2018 after an extended illness. Davis inspired countless undergraduate students to pursue careers in public health and made countless contributions to UNC Charlotte's undergraduate public health programs and to community health in the region. To date, $7,449 has been raised to honor her legacy.
Emily Porter, assistant director for current student and young alumni giving, said, “I am excited and encouraged by the generosity of Niner Nation as they continue to support student and faculty projects and scholarships. Our 49ers are doing some really amazing things, and it’s inspiring to witness the power of support from our community.”
Crowdfund UNC Charlotte projects are active for 30 days; online donations for spring 2018 projects will be accepted through Wednesday, April 18. To launch a project during fall 2018, complete the Crowdfund UNC Charlotte application before May 4.