North Carolina Board of Transportation Meets at UNC Charlotte
The North Carolina Board of Transportation traveled to Charlotte for two days of meetings culminating on Thursday, March 8, in the Popp Martin Student Union at UNC Charlotte. Board members also hopped on the light rail at the CATS 9th Street Station for the 22-minute commute to the UNC Charlotte Main Station.
“As a proud alumna of UNC Charlotte, I was thrilled for the members of the North Carolina Board of Transportation and staff to be in ‘our house’ and hear from Chancellor Phil Dubois,” said Tracy Dodson (’98), an at-large board member and senior vice president of Lincoln Harris. “Riding the Blue Line Extension into campus, board members were astounded by the size of our campus, the growth in transportation research and the connections to the Charlotte community.”
In his presentation to the board, Dubois talked about UNC Charlotte’s growth, the quality of its students, academic success and evolving research and the University’s impact in the Charlotte region and beyond. He also thanked board members for their support of light rail, calling it “transformational,” as it will increase student access to Center City, reduce demand for parking, strengthen industry ties to research and provide economic development benefits.
The Blue Line Extension officially opened March 16, with trains arriving every 7 ½ minutes during peak hours. There are 11 new stations, including two on campus and one at Center City and four Park & Ride facilities. For more information, visit the Light Rail website.
Good Morning Gaston County
The Gaston Regional Chamber learned more about the strong relationship between UNC Charlotte and Gaston County when Chancellor Philip L. Dubois spoke to the largest crowd on record at the monthly “Good Morning Gaston” meeting on Feb. 22.
UNC Charlotte trustee Brett Keeter (’99) introduced Dubois to the audience of Gaston County community and business leaders, including Donnie Hicks (’83), executive director of the Gaston Economic Development Commission, and Madeline Keeter (’08), president of the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association.
Dubois spoke about the importance of higher education, the growth of the University and the quality of its students, along with the talent the University is producing for the region.
Dubois also spoke about the partnerships UNC Charlotte has with Gaston College and Gaston County Schools. Associate Professor Jim Watson, who was in attendance at the event, serves as chair of the Gaston College Trustees. Since fall 2015, 106 student teachers and 364 alumni teachers are making a difference in the Gaston County public schools. Just recently, Bobbie Cavnar (’11), a language arts teacher at South Point High School, was named the 2018 National Teacher of the Year by the National Education Association.
In addition, Dubois talked about how UNC Charlotte is helping to drive economic development and is addressing the needs in health care within the county. UNC Charlotte senior design project students in the Lee College of Engineering have been working with Satbilus, Dixon and Curtiss-Wright in Gaston County.
“With one of the finest nursing schools in the state, our health system is strengthened by the talented health care professionals produced by UNC Charlotte. Not only are they preparing students for the future, they are preparing our region's business and industry as well,” said Chris Peek (’93), president and CEO of CaroMont Health.
From left to right: John Forgan of PNC Bank and chairman of the Gaston Regional Chamber; Chancellor Philip L. Dubois; Pearl Burris Floyd, secretary of the UNC Board of Governors; Brett Keeter, UNC Charlotte trustee; and Madeline Keeter, president, UNC Charlotte Alumni Association