This February, UNC Charlotte is asking alums to share their love stories of how they met their significant others as well as what they love about the University. Stories shared on social media, using #iLOVEUNCC qualify to win exclusive 49er swag, and alums are encouraged to make a gift to support programs, scholarships or departments at LOVE.UNCC.EDU.
It was fall 1984. He was a senior business administration major, and she was a sophomore nursing major. They met in the commuter cafeteria of the Cone University Center.
“In essence our family began in the Cone University Center,” said Kevin Brewer ’85, who married his wife, Brenda ’87 in May 1989.
“I love that Kevin is kind, forgiving and doesn’t hold grudges,” said Brenda Brewer. “He is extremely devoted to me and our kids.”
Her husband stated, “The part I love most about Brenda is her sense of humor and her intelligence. Her never-quit attitude is contagious and has been a great example for both the kids and I.”
As students, the couple enjoyed basketball games (which were played at Bojangles Arena), intramural sports, outdoor campus concerts and being involved in student activities.
“UNC Charlotte gave us both an education on which to support our family,” said Kevin Brewer. “As we look back on our days at UNC Charlotte, what stands out is the people. Many of our closest friendships originated at UNC Charlotte.”
After graduation, Brenda Brewer became a critical care nurse at Duke University Medical Center and then returned to UNC Charlotte to earn a master’s degree in nursing. She has been a practicing certified nurse anesthetist for 25 years with Carolinas Medical Center/Atrium.
Her husband spent eight years working for Automatic Data Processing before starting his own business in insurance and financial services.
“The education we both received has prepared us well for our careers,” said Kevin Brewer. “Brenda uses her nursing and scientific knowledge daily and the management, accounting and sales skills I received have proven to be invaluable.”
The Brewers have two children, Caitlin, a senior nursing major at Texas A&M, and Blake, the first 49er field goal and placekicker, who graduated from the William States Lee College of Engineering in May 2017. A fun fact shared between Brenda and her son is that Blake started playing football at UNC Charlotte exactly 20 years after she started playing basketball for the 49ers.
“When we knew that Blake would play college football, we did not attempt to influence him to play for UNC Charlotte. However, when he decided to be a 49er we were beyond excited,” said the Brewers. “We were extremely proud of his athletic accomplishments but his ability to be a student-athlete and graduate with a mechanical engineering degree made us equally as proud.”
The Brewers believe UNC Charlotte prepared them for life, gave them a mechanism to raise a family and opened their eyes to a continuous process of learning.
“We are extremely proud to be UNC Charlotte grads, and the value of our degree grows with each new graduate,” said the couple. “We could never repay UNC Charlotte for everything it has given us, so we encourage all alumni and alumni couples to become involved whether it is through attending athletic events, programs on campus offered for your profession or just stopping by.”