Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Spring Break has come and gone, and in the blink of an eye, we're on the downward slide toward the end of another semester. Here are a few of the things that are occupying my time these days:
- Last week, Dean Ellen McIntryre and I were honored to host North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper for a visit to campus. He came to take a look at our Charlotte Teacher Early College (CTEC) high school and spent time touring the classrooms and offices in the lower level of the Education Building. He also met with administrators, teachers, and students before touring the Burson Building to get a good look at the needs, challenges, and possibilities associated with renovating that building after the New Science Building is completed (spring of 2021). And of course, wherever the governor goes, the cameras follow...so his visit gave us some good exposure in the state, local, and social media outlets.
- Also last week we had the opportunity to honor Richard Lambert, professor of educational leadership in the Cato College of Education, with the Harshini de Silva Graduate Mentor Award. Dr. Lambert has served on more than 70 doctoral dissertation committees and 36 master's thesis committees, and he takes great pleasure in mentoring graduate students and helping them exceed their own expectations to find success as students and scholars. Congratulations, Dr. Lambert.
- With the outrageous admissions scandal that has rocked the country over the last several days, we, along with every other university in the country, are taking a hard look at our admissions practices. I met with our Advisory Council on Intercollegiate Athletics this week and this was one of the topics of discussion. I am happy to report that the guidelines we have in place to prevent this type of fraudulent activity are strong, and we continue, as always, to demand and pursue integrity above all else.
- Next week, we'll have the chance to celebrate with four staff members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty and are receiving Employee of the Year awards in one of four categories: Claire Kirby (Devotion to Duty), Melissa Battle (Innovation), Sara Watson (Human Relations) and Ashley Williams Clark (Community & Public Service). Congratulations and thanks for a job very well done.
- Finally, if you'll indulge me for a moment of personal privilege and pride, I'd like to brag on my wife, Lisa Lewis Dubois, who this Friday evening will be inducted into the Women's History Hall of Fame in a ceremony to be held at the Levine Museum of the New South. Lisa works hard behind the scenes here at UNC Charlotte organizing all of the events at the Chancellor's residence, plays a leading role in Family Weekend, and represents us in the Charlotte community as the chair of the Charlotte Public Art Commission and as a member of the Arts and Science Council. It's nice to see her being acknowledged publicly for the great work that she does.
Go Niners!
Phil Dubois,
Chancellor