UNCThe magazine of The CharlotteUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte for Alumni and Friends • v16 n1 q1 • 2009

Consider the Blue Dot Illuminating Earth’s Energy Future UNC CHARLOTTE | chancellor’s letter

Cultivating a Greener University

When economic concerns of the current To underscore our commitment to magnitude dominate the national discourse, environmental responsibility, UNC it is tempting to focus on the near-term; Charlotte has designated a full-time issues that require long-term planning staff position to ensure environmentally sometimes end up on the back burner. responsible practices are developed, Environmental issues are among those that implemented and evaluated. We await may fall into the latter category, despite the results of the first UNC Charlotte evidence that environmental damage can sustainability assessment, which will lead to undesirable and often irreversible outline the scope of sustainability activities consequences. currently taking place at the University I believe the University of North Carolina and recommend actions to develop a system can play a pivotal role in charting more environmentally responsible UNC the course for environmental stewardship. Charlotte. For our part, UNC Charlotte has adapted Our concern for sustainability also business practices and encouraged extends to teaching and research. Faculty innovative approaches to educating the members and students from UNC next generation of global citizens. By better Charlotte’s colleges of Arts + Architecture, managing our waste, land and buildings, we Engineering, and Liberal Arts and Sciences are positioned to reduce hostile impacts on are researching responsible solutions to the environment while successfully fulfilling environmental problems (see the article the primary functions of teaching and in this issue entitled “Consider the Blue Our concern for research. Dot”), and developing courses that prepare The University has made progress on graduates to respond to environmental sustainability also many fronts. We’ve come a long way issues. Faculty and students provide since the beginning of our aluminum can environmental education in the community; extends to teaching recycling program (circa 1987): likewise, private industry and governmental UNC Charlotte operates a composting agencies use University resources, such as and research. program as well as an award-winning the Environmental Assistance Office for Faculty members construction and demolition recycling/re- Small Business and the Urban Institute, to use initiative. We recycled more than 1.6 plan projects that greatly benefit our region. and students from million pounds last year. We applaud these efforts and look The University has reduced the use forward to testing and exporting innovative UNC Charlotte’s of petroleum products by investing in solutions to environmental problems to our alternatively-fueled cars. We now have 20 campus and broader community. We also colleges of Arts flex-fuel vehicles and 67 Electric Utility recognize that we have a lot of work to do. I Carts for maintenance, housekeeping and hope that you will join us in protecting the + Architecture, other on-campus use. natural environment. Only through our The Housing and Residence Life and collective efforts will we be able to preserve Engineering, Housekeeping departments have made the beauty and resources that have sustained and Liberal Arts efforts to significantly reduce water, energy previous generations. and chemical use. and Sciences The University holds biannual campus Cordially, clean-up days. More than 200 student, are researching staff and faculty volunteers collected 149 bags of trash, 84 bags of recyclables, seven responsible solutions tires and 150 pounds of construction and demolition material in October. to environmental All new construction will attain Philip L. Dubois Leadership in Energy and Environmental Chancellor problems. Design (LEED) certified status.

UNC CHARLOTTE magazine www.UNCC.edu contents | UNC CHARLOTTE

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12 features 10 Eye on the Economy departments 12 Consider the Blue Dot 3 News Briefs 19 Crime and 6 Research Briefs Punishment in China 34 49ers Notebook 36 Giving Operatecture: Opening 20 40 Class Notes Doors Through Opera 43 Perspective 26 Education and the Economy of Life alumni profiles 28 Boris “Bluz” Rogers 32 Michael Wilson

On the cover: The globe is shrinking, and so are its resources. UNC Charlotte faculty and students are working on real-world solutions to environmental problems. Illustration by Gary Palmer. 20 www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 1 UNC CHARLOTTE | editor’s desk

Grabbing Your Attention — We Hope! The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Volume 16, Number 1 Years ago when I was a full-time managing editor, my boss – the editor-in-chief – had a great habit of adding new editorial compo- Philip L. Dubois nents to the magazine on a regular basis. Sometimes these were whole Chancellor

new departments, other times they were simple series of news-you- Ruth Shaw can-use tips, special profiles or whimsical touches. The result was a Chair of the Board of Trustees magazine that was always evolving. That magazine was successful Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Community Affairs financially and editorially; we whipped the competition and won David Dunn national awards. Editor At UNC Charlotte magazine, we have begun to take that same Director of Public Relations John D. Bland approach. In 2008 we introduced 49ers Notebook, which provides one or two pages of the latest news from the Athletics department. Then last summer we added Per- Creative Director Fabi Preslar spective to the inside back cover. Contributing Writers With this edition, we’ve introduced two new components we hope you’ll enjoy. Rhiannon Bowman On the two middle pages we’ve presented a large-scale photographic spread featuring Phillip Brown Mike Hermann Athletics Director Judy Rose on the historic day when the trustees approved a 49ers Lisa Lambert Paul Nowell football program. A middle-of-the-book photo spread will become a regular feature, presenting a close-up look at something significant and dramatic in the campus Class Notes Katie Conn Suggs experience. Photographer We’ve also added a new feature called Building Blocks, on page 39. In every Wade Bruton edition you’ll see a photo or other graphic from the University archives. We hope these Circulation Manager images will speak to you about the great change that has occurred in the life of this great Cathy Brown

university – and perhaps they will fill some of you with feelings of nostalgia. Design & Production Each edition will continue to present full-length feature articles and two or three SPARK Publications profiles of accomplished alumni. The Chancellor’s Letter, Class Notes and News Briefs will continue to anchor the magazine. UNC Charlotte is published four times a year by The University of North Carolina We hope you’ll enjoy the changes and the growing quality of UNC Charlotte. at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., We are working hard to make it a fun read. Let me know how we’re doing. Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 ISSN 10771913

Regards, Editorial offices: Reese Building, 2nd floor The University of North Carolina at Charlotte 9201 University City Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28223 704.687.5822; Fax: 704.687.6379

The University of North Carolina at John D. Bland, Editor Charlotte is open to people of all races and Director of Public Relations is committed to equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability.

Printed on recycled paper 17,300 copies of this publication were printed at a cost of $.70 per piece, for a total cost of $11,968.35.

2 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q109 www.UNCC.edu Prominent Community Leaders to Quarterback Football Fundraising Campaign

On Feb. 10, UNC Charlotte named influential community leaders Mac Everett, Johnny Harris and Gene Johnson to lead the Charlotte 49ers Football Fundraising Capital Campaign. The powerful team also includes a trio of UNC Charlotte alumni who are chief financial officers at three major corporations. Everett, who is general chairman of the Wachovia Championship and chaired the 49ers Football Feasibility Committee, and Harris, president of Lincoln Harris, will serve as honorary chairs. Johnson, chairman and CEO of FairPoint Communications and a 1973 graduate of UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business, was named chairman. In addition, the 49ers introduced three other UNC Charlotte alumni as executive chairs: David Hauser, chief financial officer for Duke Energy Corporation; Bob Hull, chief financial officer for Lowe’s Companies, Inc.; and Joe Price, chief financial officer for Bank of America Corporation. Former Carolina Panthers standouts Mike Minter and Mike Rucker have signed on as campaign ambassadors. “We have a great opportunity to make Campaign chairman Gene Johnson addresses the crowd at the Feb. 10 press conference. history,” said UNC Charlotte Chancellor Philip L. Dubois at a press conference on campus. “We have an opportunity to bring our campus Johnson, secretary of the university’s Board Charlotte — and it will take the vision and and our community together like never before. of Trustees, has been a staunch supporter support of departmental, university and We have assembled a leadership team that of the 49ers athletic department for over community leaders to insure success. This is combines an array of community and business 30 years. A tireless advocate for UNC just the beginning, but history is in the air.” leaders and influential alumni.” Charlotte, Johnson has served on the Belk After nearly two years of study and Everett and Harris have played major roles College of Business Advisory Council, the research, Dubois made his football in Charlotte’s sports landscape for many years. Alumni Board of Governors and the Board of recommendation to the university Board of Everett has been involved with the Charlotte Directors of the 49ers Athletic Foundation. Trustees on Sept. 18, 2008. The Board of Regional Sports Commission and the Charlotte He was inducted into the UNC Charlotte Trustees passed the recommendation without Bobcats as well as the Wachovia Championship. Alumni Hall of Fame in 1997 and was opposition in its vote, Nov. 13, 2008. The Harris, a member of the Carolina Panthers named a Distinguished Alumnus in 2000. Charlotte 49ers expect to field a football ownership group and president of Quail “Everybody’s in the game,” said 49ers team in 2013. Hollow Club, played a key role in founding the Director of Athletics Judy Rose. “We For more information, visit www. Wachovia Championship and landing the ACC understand that adding football will impact charlotte49erfootball.com. More athletics football championship and 1994 NCAA Men’s more than the 49ers athletic department and information can also be found in the 49ers Basketball Final Four in Charlotte. more than UNC Charlotte. This is about Notebook on pg. 34.

www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 3 UNCnews CHARLOTTE | news briefsbriefs Energy Building will be EPIC

UNC Charlotte’s Board of Trustees got a preview in January of the architectural design for the new Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC), which will be located on the Charlotte Research Institute’s campus. The presentation by David A. Creech, of Narmour Wright Creech Architects, featured several renderings of the building, which will house the departments of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Electrical Engineering in a collaborative teaching and research facility. At 200,000 square feet, the EPIC building will provide classroom, office and laboratory space to accommodate growth in energy infrastructure research and collaboration with industry partners, including Duke Energy, and construction partners like AREVA, Parsons, and Shaw Group. UNC Charlotte proposed to create EPIC in response to a projected 30 percent increase in the demand for Groundbreaking on the building is energy in the United States by 2030. Industry leaders are scheduled for late summer of 2009 and looking toward UNC Charlotte to help address a critical shortage in the intellectual capital necessary to modernize the target date for completion is July 2011. current energy production operations and facilitate the development of alternative energy sources. Groundbreaking on the building is scheduled for late summer of 2009 and the target date for completion is July 2011. Funding for the project was temporarily placed on hold earlier this fall. However, the Council of State determined earlier this month to allocate the remaining $57 million in construction funds so the project could move forward. Creech told the trustees the building would be LEED certified, at the Silver level. “As an energy center, we want to lead by example,” Creech said. The three-story structure will make ample use of natural light along with other energy-saving features, he said.

Changing Times… exhibit. The exhibit explores how individuals Changing Minds in the Charlotte region are dealing with the As part of the Changing Places: from rapid and diverse growth created by the influx Black and White to Technicolor® year-long of newcomers from across the United States and exhibit at the Levine Museum of the New around the globe. South, UNC Charlotte is the education As the education sponsor, the University sponsor for an exciting speaker series called will host a monthly speaker series at the Levine Changing Times…Changing Minds. from throughout the community, including Museum every third Wednesday from February The series kicked off Feb. 18 with faculty from UNC Charlotte. 2009 through February 2010. UNC Charlotte a conversation about “Charlotte at a UNC Charlotte is participating in order to Community Conversations: Changing Times... Crossroads.” UNC Charlotte is sponsoring a share intellectual capital and resources of the Changing Minds will feature expert panelists monthly panel discussion by thought leaders University and enhance dialogue created by the from the University accompanied by business

4 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q109 www.UNCC.edu news briefs | UNC CHARLOTTE professionals and community leaders to discuss Belk College Joins UNC Charlotte joins an elite group of the specific challenges and opportunities resulting Elite Group in Sports universities to participate in this year’s case from Charlotte’s burgeoning demographics. Marketing Competition competition. Previously, the competition Each dialogue will begin at 6 p.m. at the Levine UNC Charlotte students traveled to had been an invitation-only event built Museum followed by a reception. Arizona in January to vie against seven teams around six of the nation’s top sports masters Upcoming topics include sustainability, the from across the country in the National and MBA programs, including Arizona impact of growth on infrastructure and religion Sports Forum’s third annual NSF Case State University, the University of Oregon in Charlotte. Cup Competition. Teams participate in the and Ohio University. The NSF invited four For more information, see the insert in 24-hour competition to solve a business schools to apply for two additional spaces in this edition. problem using skills learned in their the 2009 competition. UNC Charlotte and academic program. the University of Memphis were selected. UNC Charlotte Earns National Recognition for Community Engagement Governor-Elect Perdue Held Economic Roundtable UNC Charlotte has been selected for a at UNC Charlotte prestigious 2008 Community Engagement elective classification by the Carnegie Foundation Governor-elect Beverly Perdue held an for the Advancement of Teaching. economic roundtable with more than 30 The designation recognizes institutions business leaders on the UNC Charlotte that have internalized and sustained their campus, including Charlotte Bobcats owner commitment to collaborate with communities Bob Johnson and Duke Energy CEO Jim through teaching, research, and outreach. Rogers. “From the beginning, this University has Perdue came away from the meeting saying had a rich history of community involvement,” it was a beneficial dialogue as she prepares to said Owen Furuseth, Associate Provost for tackle the budget shortfall. Metropolitan Studies and Extended Academic “There was some very high quality Programs at UNC Charlotte. “We now work discussion with some of the brightest business Governor-elect Beverly Perdue with private corporations to expand the reach leaders in the world,” Perdue said after the of our engagement while also deepening our meeting, which lasted about two hours. existing relationships.” The event was chaired by Chancellor Philip UNC Charlotte is joined by Appalachian L. Dubois along with Johnson, Rogers and State University, East Carolina University, Bank of America executive Cathy Bessant. North Carolina Central University, UNC The moderator was UNC Chapel Hill’s Greensboro, UNC Wilmington, UNC Ferrel Guillory. Pembroke, and Western Carolina University Before the discussion, an overview of among the 119 institutions honored with the the national economy was provided by Jeff classification this year. Kane, senior vice president of the Federal With the announcement, the proportion of Reserve Bank of Richmond. Kane also is North Carolina’s public universities deemed by a member of the UNC Charlotte Board the Carnegie Foundation to be “community of Trustees. Following that, Jeff Michael, director of the Urban Institute at UNC engaged” far exceeds that of peer state systems Jeff Kane across the country, including California, Texas, Charlotte, gave an overview of the regional and Wisconsin. economy. This national recognition is a natural In his remarks, Rogers told Perdue the outgrowth of the University’s UNC Tomorrow production of so-called “clean energy” initiative, through which all UNC campuses should be beneficial to the North Carolina are seeking to increase their outreach and economy. “We can make Charlotte the responsiveness to their surrounding communities center of clean technology and clean energy,” and the state as a whole. he said. “The fact that over half of North Carolina’s Dubois said it was imperative for the public universities have been nationally state’s public universities to be prepared to recognized for their commitment to working enroll thousands of additional students over with communities sends a strong message the next decade and beyond. He specifically for the future of our state,” said Leslie Boney, pointed to the need for state legislative UNC Associate Vice President for Economic approval of funding for new academic Development Research, Policy, and Planning. buildings. Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 5 UNC CHARLOTTE | research briefs research briefs

is interested in “all things visual” — from photography to architecture to art. Since last summer he has used his ability to translate the latest in visual communication research to the written word with his column in the publication American Scientist. “My research is in information visualization, which produces images from abstract data so that we can use our powerful perceptual system to understand them,” Kosara said. This is somewhat similar to the way a microscope (or other instrument) is used in science, only visualization experts look at phenomena that are not physical, such as bank accounts, health data, genomes, or flight delays, Kosara added. In addition to the column, which covers topics including image models that chart the flow of air around bat wings, schematics to help scientists understand protein structures and Venn diagrams utilized to compare techniques to diagnose autism, Kosara runs a Web site (http://eagereyes. org/) where he discusses issues in visualization Dr. James Amburgey works with student Alice Wang on the rapid sand filter prototype. technology and visual communication.

Rapid Sand Filter Delivers chloride and a pH buffer that is added to the Clean, Safe Drinking Water water. In its natural state, Cryptosporidium is As an efficient, inexpensive, low-tech way to negatively charged, as are sand grains, so they repel treat water, Dr. James Amburgey’s research could one another. The chemical pretreatment changes bring clean, safe drinking water to potentially the Cryptosporidium surface charge to near billions of people. neutral, which eliminates the natural electrostatic Simplicity is the primary objective of the rapid repulsion and causes it to be attracted to and stick sand filter system Amburgey is developing. “The idea to the sand grains via van der Waals forces. is to make it as simple as possible,” he said. “All that In research using a prototype of this system is needed is some PVC pipe, sand and inexpensive in his lab, Amburgey and his students have done treatment chemicals. The only way to practically preliminary tests on waters from local rivers, deploy a system to the people of less developed creeks and wastewater treatment plants. Their countries is for it to be inexpensive and simple.” results are typically greater than 99 percent Amburgey, an assistant professor of Civil removal for Cryptosporidium-sized particles. and Environmental Engineering, specializes in “A common problem in drinking water drinking and recreational water treatment. He treatment facilities is that changing water quality has done work in the past with slow sand filters, requires changes in the chemical pretreatment but his latest research with rapid sand filters is dosages,” Amburgey said. “Our tests, so far, have From a shimmering wave of orange emerges demonstrating the ability to clean water much shown that this system utilizing only a single set the shape of a bat, its outstretched wings ready more effectively and 30 to 50 times faster. of chemical pretreatment dosages is effective on to propel it out of the frame. The image, which “One significant challenge with sand filters all waters tested to date.” took first place in informational graphics in the 2007 National Science Foundation–Science and is in removing Cryptosporidium oocysts,” Another advantage of the system is that it can be Engineering Visualization Challenge, is rich with Amburgey said. “One ‘crypto’ is five microns in adapted by using local sands or crushed rock that aerodynamic detail derived from observations of diameter, but the gaps between grains of sand are are indigenous to a particular region of the world. bats in wind tunnels and simulations of the airflow approximately 75 microns. So, we have to get the around their wings when flying. Kosara delves Kosara Brings Expertise to into the making of the image with its creators for crypto to stick to the sand grains.” a column in American Scientist. Image courtesy To achieve this, Amburgey has developed a American Scientist Readers of David H. Laidlaw, Brown University. Research chemical pretreatment scheme based on ferric Computer Science Professor Robert Kosara supported by NSF and AFOSR.

6 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | 1Q09 www.UNCC.edu news briefs | UNC CHARLOTTE

Center for Real Estate Grant Creates assist nontraditional students, including the Surpasses Fundraising Goal Scholarship Program for Nontraditional Student Organization, which Last fall, the UNC Charlotte Center Nontraditional Students provides academic and social support; the Adult for Real Estate celebrated the end of its The Bernard Osher Foundation has awarded Mentoring Program for Students, comprised fund raising campaign “Developing Talent, UNC Charlotte a $50,000 grant to create of teams of adult volunteers to advise and Building the Future” when campaign co- a scholarship program for nontraditional assist returning students, and the 49er Finish chairs Fred Klein, senior managing partner students. Unforeseen circumstances can Program, a recent initiative that identifies at Childress Klein Properties, and Todd interrupt the pursuit of a college degree. UNC UNC Charlotte students who have been away Mansfield, chairman and CEO of Crosland Charlotte will use the grant to help make the from the University for up to 10 years but who LLC, announced that the campaign raised dream a reality. had left with enough credits to return with $4.4 million, surpassing its $4 million goal The University’s Office of Adult Students senior-level standing. Prospective Osher Reentry by 10 percent. and Evening Services (OASES) will administer Scholarship applicants do not need to have The campaign included funds for the program, designated the Osher Reentry previously attended UNC Charlotte to apply. increasing scholarships and fellowship Scholarship. This award will fund up to 25 opportunities for students; expanding the scholarships of $2,000 ($1,000 per semester). Visioning Forum to Chart real estate curriculum in the Belk College of To qualify, prospective recipients must have UNC Charlotte’s Course Business; and creating programs for industry college credits from a four-year institution but UNC Charlotte, much like the Queen City professionals. must have at least a five-year gap in enrollment. itself, has experienced a tremendous increase in Lead donors to the campaign who In addition, students must be pursuing their growth and diversity. contributed at the $500,000 level were first baccalaureate degree, have good academic These changes, coupled with alterations in American Asset Corporation, Bank of America standing, demonstrated financial need and a work, family structure, age, lifestyle, technology Charitable Foundation, Bissell, Childress Klein significant period of future employability. and other factors have contributed to a sharp Properties, Crosland LLC and the Wachovia For more than a decade, UNC Charlotte decline in community engagement during the Foundation. Other significant gifts included has instituted a number of programs to past quarter century, according to Harvard $250,000 from Batson-Cook Company and $100,000 each from Shelco, Inc., K&L Gates University Selects and Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP. A full Firm for Integrated list of donors is available at www.belkcollege. Marketing Campaign uncc.edu/real_estate/campaigndonors.html. UNC Charlotte has announced that UNC Charlotte’s ties to the real estate a local agency, Tattoo Projects, has been community are longstanding. Earlier this selected to assist the university in the decade, the university raised $2 million to development of an integrated marketing establish the Center for Real Estate. In the campaign. Tattoo Projects will help UNC 1990s, real estate leaders joined together to Charlotte develop creative strategy and endow a distinguished professorship in real implementation plans. estate in the Belk College of Business. Steve “The research we’ve conducted over the past several years has shown we must continually Ott, who joined the faculty of the Belk College improve our communications about this university,” said David Dunn, vice chancellor of Business in 1999, is the John Crosland Sr. for University Relations and Community Affairs. “This firm has excellent skills in brand Distinguished Professor of Real Estate and strategy and communications implementation. They know this market very well and they’ll director of the Center for Real Estate. help us to better tell our story.” The university offers a concentration The University has already begun to revise its image with an updated logo and identity in real estate at the MBA level as well as a system rolled out to the university community in August. This includes an updated version post-graduate certificate program. The MBA of the university “Crown” and standard adaptations of the logo for colleges and units real estate concentration currently enrolls 30 within the university. students and has graduated more than 60. The communications efforts will now begin to move from internal to external audiences. Faculty and graduate students also conduct “In order for the Charlotte area to understand all the things the university provides we research on issues related to real estate, have to have a clear, unified voice in the marketplace,” Dunn said. “We are a completely addressing topics ranging from tax increment unique resource for our area and the only urban, research university in our system. There financing to public-private partnerships in are countless opportunities for our community to engage UNC Charlotte.” school construction to the impact of public Numerous faculty, staff and students will interact with Tattoo Projects through this transit on development. process, but they will primarily coordinate efforts through University Relations and “The Belk College of Business is committed Community Affairs. to serving the citizens of North Carolina “This is an important step for us to take,” said Richard McDevitt, director of Marketing through excellence in teaching, research and Services. “The more people know about UNC Charlotte, the better they understand the service,” said Joseph B. Mazzola, dean of the critical role we play in this region.” Belk College. www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 7 UNC CHARLOTTE | news briefs news briefs University researcher Robert Putnam, author of “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival Professor Pens of American Community.” Historical Thriller To reverse that trend, UNC Charlotte is Someone has a copy of the lost Shakespeare play “Love’s increasing its efforts to teach the importance Labour’s Won,” at least that’s the premise of A.J. Hartley’s of community engagement and, using the new historical thriller What Time Devours. In his latest Crossroads Charlotte model, is creating novel, UNC Charlotte Theatre Department’s Distinguished a vision of what the University will look Professor of Shakespeare Andrew Hartley (A.J.) weaves a like in 2015. With grant funding from the literary murder mystery based on a well-researched centuries- Foundation for the Carolinas, UNC Charlotte old mystery. will hold visioning exercises on campus to Hartley said most scholars believe “Love’s Labour’s Won” depict plausible futures for the University. did exist. “Not only was it written and probably performed, Developing University scenarios would be but it was published.” But the play, a comedy, has since vanished. an outgrowth of the Crossroads Charlotte Andrew Hartley initiative that identified four likely scenarios For many years it was assumed that “Love’s for the city based upon Putnam’s survey Labour’s Won” was an alternative name for of 40 communities. His research revealed “The Taming of the Shrew,” but a booklist Charlotte-Mecklenburg has high levels of written in 1603 lists the two as separate works. faith-based involvement and philanthropy, What Time Devours is Hartley’s third but low levels of social and interracial trust. historical thriller, following The Mask of Atreus The first visioning was held in November; and On the Fifth Day. Critics have compared another will be scheduled this winter, in the Hartley to Dan Brown, author of The Da Cover of Barnhardt Student Activity Center training Vinci Code. According to Publisher’s Weekly, Andrew “…he avoids the missteps of most attempts Hartley’s gymnasium. Students, faculty, staff and latest novel, alumni are encouraged to participate in this to cash in on the Da Vinci Code zeitgeist What Time event; participants do not have to remain the by focusing on the faithful rather than the Devours entire time. freewheeling conspiracies.” For more information, contact Kerrie Stewart at [email protected]. motor fleets operate on alternative fuel by UNC Charlotte added 24 Daimler UNC Charlotte Fleet January 2009, and the campus master plan Chrysler Global Electric Motorcars to Has Gone Green calls for a pedestrian-friendly campus as well. the fleet that includes 24 Club Cars, two In an effort to be good stewards of the Since 2005, UNC Charlotte has added Trolleys, one EZGO Electric Vehicle, and two environment, UNC Charlotte has created a approximately 51 low-speed, battery-electric Columbia Par Car Summit Neighborhood fleet of alternatively fueled vehicles. North vehicles to its motor fleet. Plans are underway Electric Vehicles. Carolina mandated that 75 percent of all state to add at least 90 more. Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) was selected because they met most of the university’s neighbor electric vehicle goals. The GEM line of electric vehicles can be licensed to operate on 35 mph roads, have automotive safety restraints, four-wheel braking, automotive tires and built in rollover protection. “We’re thinking about the future and looking for ways to protect the environment,” said facilities construction engineer Steve Terry. “And we’re also trying to teach our students how important recycling, reduction of fossil fuels and conserva­tion of water is, so they can take that knowledge out into the world.” GEM has proposed doing a case study of UNC Charlotte’s green fleet. This GEM vehicle is one of many that can be seen on campus.

8 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q109 www.UNCC.edu news briefs | UNC CHARLOTTE

Future President, Vice President Visit UNC Charlotte U.S. Senator and vice presidential candidate Joseph Biden visited UNC Charlotte to rally support for his ticket in October. The day-time event in Halton Arena was open to the public and drew approximately 1,500 people. More than 25,000 people gathered on the intramural fields opposite of Duke Centennial Hall on Nov. 3 to see then-candidate-now-U.S. President Barack Obama make his second-to-last election eve appearance. The crowd waited patiently in the rain, listening to music and speeches from candidates for public office, including U.S. Senator Kay Hagan. The University hosted members of the community, faculty, staff and students for the event. Both events were sponsored by the College Democrats student organization.

Barack Obama provided the only election-eve visit by a presidential candidate in UNC Charlotte’s history.

Joe Biden made an impassioned plea at Halton Arena.

Grigg Hall is festooned in flags and bathed in light as a crowd braved drenching rain on election eve. www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 9 UNC CHARLOTTE | feature

Eye Plath Offers Insights on Charlotte Banking on the Economy

Edited by John D. Bland

We’ve got an economic crisis on our hands. For those of us living in the Charlotte area, we were spared some of the earlier pain that affected other regions. But now that the nation is firmly ensconced in a major recession, many of us are focused intently on the present – how we are going to maintain and improvise during these challenging times. UNC Charlotte invited Tony Plath, associate professor, Belk College of Business to look down the road a bit and talk about how economic conditions may change the Charlotte region. Here is what he said.

How much responsibility did the CEOs of Bank of America and Wachovia have for the current banking crisis?

Plath – Both banks were heavily involved in packaging mortgage loans into securities and selling these packages in the debt market, a process known as securitization. This practice was one of the contributing factors to the speculative run-up in national real estate prices. But there were many other contributing factors to the rapid escalation in real estate prices occurring between 2002 and 2007 that were well beyond the control of Charlotte’s big banks. Other contributing factors included lax federal regulation within the mortgage underwriting market One of the things we’ve learned from on information transparency and a collective and a willingness on the part of some the current financial crisis is that market sharing of risk between financial institutions consumers to borrow more than they could stability in our fast-moving and globally- that participate in the market. afford to repay in order to acquire larger connected financial markets depends vitally Collective sharing of risk means … each houses.

10 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q109 www.UNCC.edu feature | UNC CHARLOTTE

of the financial institutions responsible reputation for strong cooperation between for creating, distributing, and exchanging the public and private sectors of the regional securitized loan packages maintains “skin economy, placing local government and in the game” throughout the life of the regional businesses in a cooperative and securitized package. This provides a financial collaborative relationship with one another. incentive to honestly and accurately evaluate the riskiness of the package at its creation Are community banks in better and then monitor this risk level carefully ... shape than the banking giants? over the life of the package. If we’d done these sorts of things in the Plath – No. Community banks, early days of securitization between 1995 traditionally defined as banks with total and 2007, we would likely have avoided assets below $1 billion, face the same sort much of the current financial crisis that of financial hardships that are facing our we’re experiencing today. largest banks. Falling real estate prices, increasing loan default rates, diminished What is the outlook for Charlotte as a profitability and falling levels of capital banking center in three to five years? adequacy characterize just about all banks these days, regardless of size. Plath – It’s a good bet that Charlotte will There are a few important differences remain a financial destination city for the between crisis management within the big retail financial services industry for years and small banks, however. First, larger to come. As we emerge from the current banks have greater diversification across outright sales, government-arranged bank financial crisis in late-2009 or 2010, their loan portfolios, so their heaviest combinations, and even outright failures the financial services industry will begin loan losses concentrated in certain parts of many small and regional banks in the growing again and Charlotte will be among of the country are offset by relatively United States. the first urban regions of the country to stronger loan quality in other areas of the benefit from this growth because of its banks’ geographic territories. Smaller banks What type of regulation do you stature as a banking center. typically operate in significantly narrower recommend for the banking industry? There are at least three important geographic areas, and banks in areas characteristics driving Charlotte forward as hardest hit by falling real estate prices face a Plath – Before the end of 2009, we’ll a financial center: People, infrastructure, particularly difficult future in 2009. likely see a joint proposal from the Treasury and reputation. As a large financial Second, bigger banks have an easier Department, the House Financial Services center, Charlotte has a concentration of time raising new equity capital in the Committee, and the Senate Banking well-educated and professionally skilled stock market. Wells Fargo, BB&T, and Committee for sweeping reregulation of the people in the financial services industry Bank of America have all been successful financial services industry and reform of that’s unparalleled in virtually every other in supplementing the TARP infusion of deceptive and unfair lending practices in the city in the nation. Accordingly, financial government equity capital with new public mortgage loan industry. services companies throughout the nation sales of common and preferred stock in We will likely see the Treasury propose locate here in order to be able to tap in to recent months. Community banks face a a sweeping new financial regulatory fabric the outstanding labor market for financial far more hostile reception among investors led by a “systemic-risk regulator,” and services professionals. That explains why in trying to sell new shares of stock in the likely name the Federal Reserve as the best GMAC is likely to relocate its corporate current economic environment, and it’s candidate to assume the responsibility for headquarters to Charlotte, and why both virtually impossible for them to raise new regulating systemic risk within the U.S. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs are equity capital in the public arena. financial system. This change would give presently recruiting from the greater- Access to equity capital is vitally the Fed broad responsibility for oversight Charlotte labor market for skilled banking important for banks, because without it of the entire financial system, including professionals as these firms ramp up their they can’t write down their loan losses, make commercial banks, investment banks, new bank holding companies. new loans, grow their assets, and maintain brokerage firms, insurance companies, In addition, the urban infrastructure in a sufficient quantity of required equity and other financial services providers that the greater-Charlotte market compares most in their businesses to continue business operate across the American economic favorably to just about every other urban operations. We will likely lose many of the landscape. region in the United States. nation’s current population of community Finally, the Charlotte region has a banks through voluntary consolidations, Continued on p. 37 www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 11 Consider the Blue Dot By Lisa A. Lambert

“In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.” -From a Commencement Address Delivered by Carl Sagan, May 11, 1996

More than a decade ago, Carl Sagan asked us to consider the pale blue dot. Sagan was referencing the Voyager 1 photo of the solar system taken 4 billion miles from our planet, in which the Earth appears slightly larger than the head of a pin. When you look at that photo, Sagan’s description of our planet as “a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark” becomes palpable, as does humanity’s total interdependence.

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Calls to consider the impact of our actions upon the Earth have grown in number and volume in recent years as the effects of climate change and population growth become apparent. UNC Charlotte researchers have been considering the dot, and are passing their knowledge of environmentally responsible practices to students and the community. Featured here are several stories about innovation, collaboration and promising research with the potential to affect lives around the globe. These are but a few of many examples of the potential solutions and knowledge our faculty apply to today’s environmental quandaries.

Building on the Principles of Sustainable Design Think of the way you use the earth’s resources as a transaction at a grocery store. You roam the aisles, pull pre-packaged items from the shelves, pay the cashier and leave. Then you consume those goods and repeat the cycle. Your community continues to grow, so more grocery stores pop up because a single store can’t support the needs of the entire community. The image becomes complicated when we replace the grocery store with Earth, and all of those items with finite resources such as oil, and come to realize that despite continuous upward trends in population growth, there’s nowhere else (aka alternative Earth) for us to go when our planet runs out of resources. The way we’re living can’t be sustained. Desperate times call for brilliant theories. The theory of sustainability states that community, environment, economy and culture are all interrelated and mutually dependent, explained Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Helene Hilger. “In the Western world, the notion of sustainability has translated to living in such a way that future generations can enjoy the quality of life that you did, with enough resources remaining to make that possible,” she said. A tall order when you take into account that all of our economic systems depend on pulling materials out of the earth, making stuff out of it, and selling it — especially given that the same amount of resources are here now as when homosapiens started walking the globe. www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 13 UNC CHARLOTTE | feature

For better or worse, our economic cycle of any facility or product they design. systems are embedded in our environmental “When we buy a new CD, that CD Fly Ash Concrete Provides systems. doesn’t create a lot of pollution — but what Many Green Advantages The remarkable thing about Ph.D. Within engineering and architecture did it take to make the CD and what about student Brett Tempest’s fly ash circles, sustainability theory has morphed all of the packaging?” Hilger added. concrete is that it is very “green.” from buzzword to practice in ways never The vast majority of producers of goods Green in the sense that it is good for before imagined, largely because of shifting don’t experience the full cost of their the environment. attitudes and advancing technologies. product on society. Ultimately, the public The environmental advantage of fly The Lee College of Engineering is has to pay for the discard of the waste; ash in concrete goes far beyond just addressing sustainability as it educates anyone living within sight of a landfill will using it as aggregate filler. Chemically activated fly ash is actually used in students in its use, conducts research to attest to the urgency of the issue. place of portland cement, which results further its development and partners with The growing importance of sustainability in a tremendous reduction in CO2 professionals in its application. is making it a hot topic for students and emissions. “Sustainability theory says you have to professionals alike. “What’s difficult to explain to people look at all impacts of a project,” said Hilger. “Students now have to learn sustainability is there’s no portland cement in this “The design impacts the ecosystem, which theory to make them successful engineers,” concrete,” Tempest said. “Most people supports the economy, which supports the Hilger said. “And professional engineers also think you can’t make concrete without portland cement, but you can.” social system.” have to adopt it and begin incorporating it Portland cement is made by heating Sustainable design theory advocates into the way they do their work.” limestone to very high temperatures, conserving ‘natural capital’ by using fewer To spread the word about sustainability which releases the CO2 inherent in raw materials and more reused and recycled to the professional engineering community, the limestone. For every ton of cement materials. College of Engineering faculty members produced, a ton of CO2 is released. “This means wasting less material and have been delivering talks to area, state and “It’s not just the energy needed to landfilling less material,” Hilger said. “To national groups. heat the limestone that accounts for the conserve energy resources, you should use In addition to offering courses in CO2 production,” Tempest said. “It’s the releasing of the CO2 from the limestone local materials, so less transportation is sustainable design, sustainable land itself. That is what Portland cement is, involved. Examples are using pine for wood development, and sustainable storm and there’s no way around it.” floors in the South and fir for floors in the water management, the Department of In testing, the fly ash concrete is West.” Civil and Environmental Engineering, proving to have superior chemical In addition, Hilger said practitioners of along with Mechanical Engineering and and temperature resistance compared sustainability theory consider the entire life Architecture, piloted a multidisciplinary to cement-based concrete. The sustainable design course. As their course compression strength of the material is currently at about 3,000 psi. project, student teams had to tackle the A Department of Energy grant, problem of renovating an abandoned ‘big made to the Department of Civil box’ retail facility in Charlotte. With help and Environmental Engineering in from city and county officials and several the amount of $492,000, provides UNC Charlotte faculty members, the 80 percent of funding for future students developed two conceptual designs development and improvement of the for a sustainable renovation of the vacant fly ash concrete. complex. A number of research projects in the College of Engineering also now have strong sustainability components. One is in the area of storm water, in which researchers are looking at ways to treat and minimize storm runoff by using bio-retention basins, grassed swales and a whole group of other technologies in place of curb and gutter. Another research project is looking at the feasibility of grinding up gypsum board and using it as a soil additive at newly developed Ph.D. students Brett Tempest, left, and sites, either on top of soil or tilled in just Olanrewaju Sanusi, center, and master’s student Mitch Taylor research the best fly before grass is seeded. ash and activating solution mix for their On a larger scale, researchers are working concrete. A 3”x6” cylinder of fly ash to establish a regional construction and concrete in a universal testing machine.

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a homeowner wouldn’t necessarily notice. air conditioning on, the utility companies NILM generates data that helps would be able to shut your air off for one determine which electrical devices might be or two cycles to avoid a black-out,” Cox operating inefficiently. said. “You probably wouldn’t even notice.” For example, if your air conditioner has Rather than a diabolical scheme to wield a refrigerant leak, it will turn on and off unprecedented power over unsuspecting frequently, thus using more energy and homeowners, the Duke Energy NILM resulting in a higher monthly energy bill. trials are part of the Unified National NILM will detect and diagnose the leak. Smart Grid project. Smart Grid aims In addition to providing diagnostics, to replace the United States’ antiquated NILM is an educational tool, Cox said. electricity transmission and distribution NILM provides consumers with a report of system with a fail-safe, modernized energy their day-to-day energy use. infrastructure capable of carrying large “A lot of what people call phantom amounts of electricity over long distances. load — your television, washing machine A similar project currently is underway in — all of those appliances continuously Boulder, Colo. pull electricity, even when you’re not using them,” he said. Behind the Curve: Cox advises homeowners to avoid using Solar Finds Foothold hundreds of watts of phantom load by Outside of United States plugging electrical devices into a power Sometimes seeing is believing. In the strip, so the power supply can be cut off late 1970s and early 1980s, German with a flip of the switch when the device citizens and politicians became believers. demolition recycling center. The center will isn’t in use. Widespread damage to the country’s forests create a stock pile of materials and study According to Cox, NILM is the only caused by air pollution spurred a passion methods for reuse. device of its kind. “Typically, you would for environmental protection that remains have a sensor for every load. Our system “a national obsession,” according to the Los Knowledge uses one sensor to see what all of the loads Angeles Times. Saves Power are doing,” Cox noted. But this ethically driven movement to When it comes to saving energy, The device, a metal box installed next to eliminate pollution served an ancillary knowledge is power, explained Robert W. the breaker cabinet, includes a sensor that Cox, assistant professor of electrical and connects to the breaker panel. Information computer engineering at UNC Charlotte. from the sensor is then fed into a central Cox and colleagues at the Massachusetts computer. Ultimately, the researchers hope Institute of Technology have developed to make the device wireless, so homeowners a non-intrusive load monitor, or NILM, can check the data from their desktops. that can assess the operational status of Imagine, for instance, an IM-style pop-up multiple electrical loads from a single set of box on your computer screen that reminds measurements collected at a central point. you to check your air conditioner. Simply put, the sensor tracks and reports Though the NILM won’t likely be on how much energy is being used in available for commercial consumption your home — from the refrigerator, to the for another two years, it hasn’t escaped television set, to the lighting system and the attention of business and industry. beyond. Researchers currently are conducting six- “The system we’ve worked on involves a month tests of the device in commercial low-cost, highly reliable device you could buildings and residential settings through install in a commercial building, industrial contracts with Epri and Duke Energy. facility or home,” Cox said. If all of this sounds mildly futuristic, Buildings are the highest users of it’s about to get a little Orwellian. Cox energy, representing 40 percent of the total explained that Duke Energy hopes to energy consumed. Further, 20 percent of closely monitor energy use in the homes the energy consumed is wasted because they service because ultimately, utility electrical devices either aren’t used or providers want to be able to control maintained properly, resulting in slight consumers’ energy use in certain situations. problems in the function of the device that “In the summer, when everyone has the www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 15 UNC CHARLOTTE | feature

purpose — to strengthen Germany’s How to Harvest economy. Because the country boasts some Hydrogen of the world’s most stringent environmental By Nancy Oates regulations, Germany has developed a wide Hydrogen is nature’s simplest range of new “green” technologies; and solar atom — one proton and one electron. energy is chief among them. Layers of electrons, called shells, Mohamad-Ali Hasan, UNC Charlotte orbit around the atom’s nucleus, associate professor of electrical and which contains the protons. Each shell has a set number of electrons computer engineering, said the United at which it is most stable. If it has States is in danger of lagging behind the rest more electrons in its outer shell of the world as the market for alternative than its stable point, it looks to give energy sources expands. some away, and is called positively “Germany powers whole cities with charged. If it has less than its stable solar energy. They now hold most of the point, it wants to share another intellectual property rights when it comes atom’s electrons, and is called negatively charged. to solar energy technologies,” Hasan noted. The outermost shell of a hydrogen “There is a lot of work being done to atom is most stable with two advance solar technology in China. In fact, electrons in it. The hydrogen atom, Zhengrong Shi, the CEO of Suntech, is with only one electron, is drawn to now the wealthiest man in China and his other atoms. When it combines with company is the eighth largest solar panel another hydrogen atom to make producer in the world.” a hydrogen molecule (H2), it is a stable compound. The outermost The move to embrace solar technology shell of an oxygen atom is most throughout the world is intensive, Hasan When it comes to abundance and stable with eight electrons in it, but said. The solar sector grew 67 percent last environmental impact, you won’t yet find a by itself has only six electrons. When year — leaps and bounds ahead of other better alternative than solar. The world will two hydrogen atoms share their sectors. need 20 gigawatts of power by 2020 — the electrons with an oxygen atom, the “I hate to see us loosing this vital wattage of solar energy bathing the Earth result is the very stable molecule technology sector. Historically, the United in one hour is greater than our collective H2O, water. States leads the world in technological yearly need. And a little bit of solar goes a With a five-year grant from the National Science Foundation, UNC discovery and development, but our long way, Hasan said. Charlotte Assistant Professor of numerous accomplishments rest alongside “We could start with residential areas. Chemistry and Nanoscale Science some egregious examples of missed If I cover 20 percent of my roof with solar Sherine Obare wrests the hydrogen opportunity in recent decades,” Hasan panels, it will produce enough power atoms away from the oxygen in said. “We have a good example in the for my home,” Hasan explained. In fact, water with the use of catalysts, flat-panel display (FPD) market. Back in covering an area the size of the state of nanoparticles that break down a the mid 1990s, industry leaders deemed Oklahoma with solar panels would generate substance without being consumed in the process. She exposes titanium that there would be no future in FPDs enough energy to power the whole of North dioxide (TiO2) to sunlight. The due to problems with viewing angles and America. Moreover, the panels are made ultraviolet energy TiO2 absorbs speed. The Japanese, Koreans and others from silicon, a material extracted from sand. separates the positive charges from continued their research and now they own If it degrades, it will turn into non-toxic the negative charges. She adds both intellectual rights and manufacturing sand again. a platinum nanoparticle catalyst, facilities for this trillion dollar business Hasan, who is teaching a new course which stores the negative charges, sector.” called Fundamentals of Solar Cells, spends acting like a mini-capacitor. Then she adds water. The catalyst releases Rather than shy away from solar, a lot of time debunking myths about solar the stored negative charges, which Hasan said the U.S. energy industry energy. Perhaps the two most widespread wrench the hydrogen atoms away should embrace the development of solar myths are: 1) solar only works where there from the oxygen. technologies as one component of a multi- is abundant sunshine; and 2) solar power is To read more about Obare’s faceted solution to our energy crisis. too expensive. groundbreaking work, visit “Global demand for energy is increasing “Sure solar panels work when there Exchange: A Magazine for the with time. We’ll not reach a plateau any is light, but the energy can be stored in College of Liberal Arts and Sciences time soon,” he said. Frequent blackouts in batteries for later use. Energy management at www.coas.uncc.edu/docs/v3.1- Exchange-W08.pdf China, former Eastern bloc countries and and interaction with the power grid is well- Africa underscore the world-wide need for established technology,” Hasan said. affordable, clean energy. As for the cost, expensive is a relative

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term. For the average homeowner, in commercial lighting today and for the According to a recent Brookings installation costs between $10 and $20 foreseeable future,” Brentrup noted. Institution study, the Charlotte region’s thousand (before the Federal tax credit), Rather than relying on component carbon footprint is among the nation’s and panels come with a 25-year warranty. technologies, daylighting is shaped and heaviest. The study rated 100 large regions However, the lifetime of the panels can delivered by the architecture itself, and it’s free! from least footprint to biggest — and be much longer. If you divide the cost of Enter the School of Architecture’s Charlotte ranked No. 72, with emissions the panels by their lifetime, solar panels Daylighting + Energy Performance rising significantly faster than the national are a cheaper alternative compared to Laboratory at UNC Charlotte. Along with average. commercial power sources, Hasan said. a “sun machine” and “sky machine,” you’ll While buildings can be retro-fitted to When investigating going solar, find graduate students and faculty who enjoy be more energy efficient, Brentrup said homeowners must consider the irreversible crunching numbers and care deeply about the the greatest amount of energy savings can damage caused by use of non-renewable environmental impact of buildings. be achieved by designing new buildings energies, as well as the savings incurred over The lab uses two instruments to in accordance with environmentally the course of the life of the technology. assess the impact of sky luminance and responsible practices. He is working with Like flat panel displays, with more solar radiation. The Artificial Sky, which the University to develop guidelines for research and development the solar simulates the average overcast conditions ensuring the efficiency of new buildings, technology will become more affordable, of the Piedmont region, and a Fixed Sun and has consulted with the architects of the he added. Movable Earth Heliodon, which simulates Student Union and the Energy Production “The technology is there — we have to actual solar penetration. and Infrastructure Center. put our minds to developing it to replace Under Brentrup’s direction, lab staffers During his 15-years at the helm of the polluting energy sources,” Hasan said. are working with the University, as well as the Daylighting Lab, Brentrup also has “We have the resources, money and the with local industry and government, to figure developed numerous partnerships within dynamics. We’re not a static society. We take out how current practices have impacted our Mecklenburg County. Local architects and whatever is new and better and adopt it.” carbon footprint. government have consulted with the lab in “Daylighting is directly related to the idea the design of facilities including Imaginon, Mastering the of carbon reduction,” said graduate student Freedom Center (400,000 square feet of Available: Natural Lindsay Frizzell, who is working on a project County office space), the Health and Social Daylighting to quantify energy efficiency. “For every Services Building, and the Renaissance Before the Industrial Revolution, kilowatt hour of energy we save, we’re cutting Recreational Sports Learning Academy, a mankind conducted business between approximately two and a half pounds of new project in the pipeline. sunup and sundown. But in the late 19th carbon dioxide emissions.” Century, all of that changed — the advent Out with the Old, of electrical illumination marked the end of in with the Green Father Time’s imposition on our work and The old often becomes new again. Take leisure activities. fashion, for example. Recognize those But as we’ve come to spend more and skinny jeans and sweater dresses? They more of our time in the workplace, the are new adaptations of 80s styles. In some relationship between our built environment instances, the same can be said for “green” and well-being has met with scrutiny. building practices, or what Assistant A decade-long trend in building science Professor of Architecture Thomas Gentry research indicates that people are more prefers to call environmentally responsible comfortable, productive and perhaps most building. importantly, feel healthier in buildings that As a contractor in the 1970s, Gentry was are specifically designed to accommodate thinking and building green. He has built the use of daylight as the primary source of and designed award-winning passive solar workplace illumination, said Professor of houses, earth sheltered houses and double- Architecture Dale Brentrup. envelope houses. In the 1990s, he utilized The concept of harnessing natural straw bale construction techniques to light to illuminate building interiors is insulate walls — techniques first practiced as old as the window itself, but relatively at the turn of the century. recent advances in lighting research and Straw bale construction is one example of technology have opened up new horizons a technique that could be put into wide- for daylighting. scale practice (in appropriate regions), if “Daylighting also represents the single largest ‘new’ opportunity for energy savings Continued on p. 30 www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 17 UNC CHARLOTTE | feature

Professor expands understanding Crime and of China’s criminal Punishment justice system

By Paul Nowell

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A book, a plant and a fish. Friday’s campus office is decorated with a so they can be re-socialized,” Friday said, variety of artifacts and awards he has collected These three “gifts” are what convicted felons acknowledging the book is a less-than-subtle over the years, many of them from China. He are given on their first day in prison in China, means to inculcate the inmates with citizen has been traveling to the country since 1996. one of the world’s oldest and least understood responsibilities to their communities and reaffirm civilizations. social values they might have forgotten or ignored While most of us would raise an eyebrow while they were on the wrong side of the law. internal dynamics of China’s much-maligned to this type of criminal justice, Professor Paul The plant is supposed to teach the inmate criminal justice system. Friday believes the unusual items given to how to take care of a living thing that depends “I started getting interested in China about the new prisoners represent far more than completely on him or her to survive. 10 years ago when they started opening up to inappropriate offerings. Finally, Friday explains the fish is placed into the West. They started an open-door policy and To Friday, an internationally recognized a large tank with scores of others just like it, I saw it as an opportunity to go there,” he said scholar who teaches criminal justice at UNC where it is nurtured by all the cellmates in the in an interview in his University office, which Charlotte and received UNC Charlotte’s prison dormitory. The lesson to be learned here is overflowing with Chinese art pieces and International Scholar Award in 2007, the is trust and communal responsibility. awards he has earned from educational and law ritualistic presentation of the three “gifts” to “Symbolism is very important to the Chinese enforcement institutions from around the globe. the inmates explains a lot about the Chinese people,” Friday said. “For the inmate, if they Through perseverance, a lot of networking philosophy about crime and punishment. study hard and nurture the plant and fish, the and a little bit of luck, Friday has earned Despite the images of Chinese prisons in reward can be points toward early release.” a reputation as an entrusted and objective the West, Friday suggests they might actually Friday learned about the practice from colleague among China’s leading criminologists be more progressive than their counterparts in his years of collaboration with his Chinese and scholars. other nations, even in the United States, where counterparts. As far back as his graduate It didn’t come easy or quickly. prisons are criticized for being largely ineffective school days in the late 1960s, he has traveled “I went to one of the first (criminology) and overcrowded with repeat offenders. extensively to countries in Europe and Asia. “The book is for the prisoner’s education, He’s always maintained a strong interest in the Continued on p. 38 www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 19 UNC CHARLOTTE | feature Operatecture: Opening Doors

Through Opera West Mecklenburg High School student Isaiah Bell (left) joins his mentor, recent UNC Charlotte graduate Traven Harrington, to perform in front of an audience of nearly 300 students in the school auditorium.

By Lisa A. Lambert

The Four Tenors launch into “O Sole Mio.”

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The students file into the auditorium, “Mr. Birdsong told me he wanted me economic circumstances. “The purpose mill around, laughing and joking. The to participate in this program, so I started of the outreach is to broaden both the sound of gum snapping and teenage voices working on my voice to try to get it to high school and UNC Charlotte students’ mingles with the sound of opera music sound like his.” cultural experience,” she noted. pouring forth from the school sound In no time, Bell was brushing up on his Student and faculty volunteers from system. Two-hundred-plus students jostle Italian. the Department of Music, School of into the auditorium aisles, stuffing their Now in its third year, the UNC Charlotte Architecture and the Digital Design Center book bags under the wooden seats. program Bell fondly mentioned — known in the College of Arts + Architecture, have Abdullah Birdsong, West Mecklenburg as Opera for All — exposes students taken live “operatecture” performances to High School’s director of choral activities, at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Equity Plus more than 2,000 students. resembles an air-traffic controller standing high schools to various modes of artistic Operatecture combines the traditional at the front of the auditorium, answering expression. Harley launched the program elements of opera production with the students’ questions and waving them to with a grant from the UNC Charlotte latest in digital design and real-time motion their seats, black microphone in hand. Chancellor’s Diversity Challenge Fund. and sound-capture technology under Backstage, men and women in costume development by students and faculty at exercise their vocal cords in preparation for UNC Charlotte. the upcoming performance. The goal of the program is to perform Anne Harley, UNC Charlotte professor “Beauty is a opera scenes for high school students who of music performance, explains to the crowd have had limited exposure to the arts, and what they will soon experience. Then, recent pragmatic good especially for those interested in pursuing a UNC Charlotte graduate Traven Harrington music career. opens the program with a stirring rendition – a civil building Harley, who conceived of the program, of the Negro spiritual “Ride On.” said the arts have a tangible impact on Back stage, West Mecklenburg eleventh block. Students society. In fact, a 2006 study by the grader Isaiah Bell prepares for his debut. National Endowment for the Arts showed Bell strides slowly, confidently, across the can be taught to that there is a very powerful association stage, dapper in a black suit. His classmates between participation in the arts and register their recognition audibly but quiet use the power and engagement in the community. down as soon as he launches into “O Sole discipline they The study reveals that people who Mio.” They are mildly astonished as their participate in the arts also engage in positive classmate annunciates each word in Italian, learn in artistic civic and individual activities — such as as if the aria were written in his native volunteering, going to sporting events, and tongue. He sinks gracefully to one knee, pursuit to outdoor activities — at significantly higher arm outstretched, beseeching his elusive rates than non-arts participants. The study love. better society.” also reveals that young adults (18 - 34) show Bell, the fourth tenor in what is usually a a declining rate of arts participation and three-tenor performance, then strolls over to Anne Harley civic activities. the UNC Charlotte students who will join “Beauty is a pragmatic good – a civil him. Together, they lift their voices as the building block,” Harley said. “Students can aria draws to a close. The audience erupts in be taught to use the power and discipline cheers and applause. they learn in artistic pursuits to better Harrington currently serves as a The Experience society. We have a horrific example of mentor to Bell, who is interested in Of Operatecture societies that want to ‘perfect’ things and pursuing a career in music. For Bell, an Opera for All welcomes students and people, such as Nazi Germany, but the unlikely genre of music and a fortuitous teachers from local high schools and UNC arts represent an expression of love for connection between the University and Charlotte in all artistic disciplines, as well the human element which is, by nature, West Mecklenburg High School helped to as parents, alumni, and volunteers from the imperfect. Nurturing artists is essentially broaden his horizons. community, to produce opera, both in high cultivating that love of humanity. That’s “We were real active in church, and when schools and at UNC Charlotte. Opera for much more interesting to me than the I moved to Charlotte I met Mr. Birdsong,” All presents workshops and performances pursuit of perfection,” Harley added. Bell said. Bell learned that Birdsong had on high school campuses throughout the As a graduate student, Harley witnessed trained as an opera singer in college. Bell academic year, culminating in rehearsals and first-hand the transformative power of was skeptical at first, but came to respect production of opera at the university. the arts through her work with a non- opera because it is, in his words, melodic According to Harley, students in profit organization, Sarasa, that brought and controlled. Equity Plus schools often face challenging professional performers to prisons and www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 21 UNC CHARLOTTE | feature

juvenile detention centers. metaphor for all kinds of coming together,” a participating high school, the students Not only did the program allow inmates Harley said. “Our program’s strength lies in have an opportunity to travel to the UNC to experience a reprieve from the difficulties the wide variety of avenues through which it Charlotte campus each January to view of incarceration, but Harley, who had invites its audience in.” a full-scale operatecture performance, been raised in wealthy neighborhoods and Opera operates through the senses of the followed by a tour of campus and a meal in attended private schools, said the experience body – sound, color and image – and the one of the University’s dining halls. Each altered her perspective as well. intellect – poetry, geometry, architecture year, talented high school students are Harley knows the UNC Charlotte – to present to each audience member a selected to perform in the winter opera. students who donate their time to the transformational artistic moment, Harley Bell was one of five high school students program (they receive no pay or college noted. chosen by Harley in conjunction with high credit for participating) will reap similar At the heart of the performance is the school choir directors to perform alongside

benefits. “The experience of performing human voice. An opera is a play set to Abdullah Birdsong, director of choral activities this service transforms our students and us,” music. Music is speech intensified. The for West Mecklenburg High School, helps lead a question and answer session with UNC she said. speech is given a pitch that usually can Charlotte performers and an audience of nearly At first glance, opera might seem an go much higher than the spoken voice — 300 high school students. unlikely choice for an outreach program. generally, the higher the pitch, the more But Harley said opera is used because it intense the emotion. represents the whole spectrum of the arts. “There’s something special about any UNC Charlotte undergraduates in the As an art form, opera embraces music, voice performing in any tradition,” Harley mainstage production of this year’s opera. dance, theatre, poetry, costume, lighting said. “The human voice, when it’s being and set design, digital technology, acrobatics used to express the soul of the singer, is one Partnerships Vital and sometimes even features dogs, horses, of the most powerful tools we have to reach to Arts Education elephants, puppets and trampolines. into another person.” Abdullah Birdsong comes from a long “The process for mounting an opera is a After the Opera for All program visits line of educators and scientists. He is among

22 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q109 www.UNCC.edu feature | UNC CHARLOTTE the third generation in his family to attend list of priorities. Birdsong said community profoundly alter his students’ aspirations. college, but he relishes the opportunity to partnerships are vital to provide students the “We’ve had kids who did not think help students who would likely be the first kind of arts education they deserve. college was an option realize I have UNC in their families to pursue higher education. “I’ve been in contact with several Charlotte in my backyard. I don’t have Each day in the classroom he strives organizations we can partner with to to go across the country. I can study with to show students their options are not as bring good content to our kids without world-class faculty here and potentially live limited as they might have imagined. it being financially prohibitive to the at home,” he said. “I think society sometimes frowns upon school,” he said. “We are always in need For some, that “college feel” might just the arts as a valid avenue for our kids,” of more resources. If there’s a community be the motivation they need to make a life Birdsong said. “I try to convince students organization that supports the arts and our changing decision. that the arts are alive, that they’re needed, missions and values align, then we partner.” As the program at West Mecklenburg

UNC Charlotte undergraduate students Sarah When UNC Charlotte approached drew to a close with a question and answer Proctor (middle) and Branden Nicholson (left), West Mecklenburg about the Opera for session, it appeared as if the students were and West Mecklenburg High School student Isaiah Bell (right) rehearse backstage prior to All program, Birdsong met with Harley indeed daring to picture themselves in a an opera outreach performance. The student and Nancy Hamff, a UNC Charlotte world that, while only a few miles away, volunteers do not receive credit for their graduate who continues to help coordinate might be light years away from their day-to- participation in the program. the program. As he listened, he was day experience. overwhelmed with emotion. To bring Opera for All to your “When they presented to me I was almost community or school, contact Dr. Anne and that if you go into a career in music you in tears for what they wanted to do for our Harley at 704-687-4464 or OperaforAll@ don’t have to be broke all of the time.” students,” he said. uncc.edu. At a growing school, where the emphasis on While the expanding students’ musical improving academic achievement takes center horizon is a fundamental aspect of the program, Lisa Lambert is senior writer in the UNC stage, funding for the arts can be low on the Birdsong noted that the trip to campus can Charlotte Office of Public Relations. www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 23 UNC CHARLOTTE | center stage

24 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q109 www.UNCC.edu center stage | UNC CHARLOTTE All Smiles

Athletics Director Judy Rose had good cause to smile on Nov. 13, 2008 when the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees voted in favor of starting a football program. The moment is one of the most important in 49er athletics history and in the life of UNC Charlotte.

“Going after what you want takes courage and achieving it takes everyone. Uniting this campus and this city with this game isn’t a challenge — it’s an honor,” she said.

www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 25 UNC CHARLOTTE | feature Education and the Economy of Life By Lisa A. Lambert bserver & O & ews N he T

We meet people along the way who teach with a chance meeting in the late ’70s. As a Marc Basnight chats with customers in his Manteo, N.C. restaurant. and inspire us to dream big. We learn, build young entrepreneur, Basnight signed on to a lives, contribute to our communities, and pass construction project for Elizabeth City native on our wisdom to the next generation. This and oil tycoon Walter Davis. They struck “North Carolina is a place of opportunity is the economy of life, according to Senator up a friendship, and Davis shared his love of because of our educational initiatives,” Marc Basnight. politics, international and state affairs with Basnight said. The longest-serving legislative leader in Basnight. Many long conversations and stacks In order for these initiatives to achieve North Carolina’s history — now in his 13th of required reading later, Basnight entered success, you have to put your money where consecutive term in the state senate and his North Carolina politics. your mouth is; Basnight has delivered time ninth as president pro tempore — is a strong As a small business owner and public and again. proponent of education, and a student of the servant, the Senator from Dare County During his two decades in office, Basnight world; but he does not hold a college degree. understands the role of education in the grand has helped increase scholarship funding Basnight’s education began in earnest scheme of things. throughout the state and has supported major

26 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q109 www.UNCC.edu feature | UNC CHARLOTTE

Basnight conferring with NC Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand.

funding initiatives to the tune of millions bserver of dollars, many resulting in hundreds of O & ews thousands of square feet in new facilities. N he UNC Charlotte projects including the T Science Building, Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC), and Center City elsewhere. However, studies indicate a large growing in number larger than 40-plus Classroom Building are but a few examples. gap between the high-tech employment other states.” But Basnight makes it very clear — opportunities that are rapidly emerging The state’s explosive growth created both a education is not just about buildings, it’s about in the state and the skills of the North burden and a great opportunity — legislators the acquisition and transfer of knowledge, Carolina workforce. found themselves at the perilous intersection of creation of employment opportunities, and “The companies and businesses just aren’t the two, with no crystal ball to forecast the future. overall improvement in the quality of life for going to come if you don’t have an educated Much like in this time of uncharted economic the state’s citizens. workforce,” Basnight said. “That’s why you territory, prioritization became the watchword. “I meet people who graduated from UNC grow EPIC and the technology. That’s what Manufacturing jobs were fast leaving the Charlotte who now make their contribution in UNC Charlotte has to aggressively pursue.” state — legislators determined it was time the community, and they affect their city and to move North Carolina in a very different the state. If everyone is working and providing Making History direction and understood that the state’s for their existence, that’s a thriving economy,” To overcome the trying economic times universities would play a pivotal role. he said. ahead will require the same leadership that “We decided we were going to grow Innovative solutions to some of the world’s produced another milestone for higher the kind of knowledge-based economy most pressing dilemmas, such as alternative education in North Carolina — the $3.1 we wanted. So the Senate drafted the bill, energy production, are needed now more than billion bond issue passed in 2000. passed it, sent it to the house. The House ever. Basnight said the state’s public university North Carolina’s universities continue to countered with something around 1.2 system will help make North Carolina a reap the benefits of the bond issue, which billion — they didn’t feel we could pay the leading exporter of new technologies. injected much-needed capital for building debt service.” “UNC Charlotte is preparing the projects into the state’s growing universities Basnight stood by his argument — that innovators, dreamers, and designers,” he said. and community colleges. Historical building knowledge would prepare people “We need a new energy package — who legislation begins somewhere; this piece of to go to work. will design this new technology? Let it be legislation happened to be the product of Eventually the House and Senate agreed UNC Charlotte researchers. That’s why we’re a brainstorming session that took place in on the final figure. The citizens of North investing in new buildings and faculty. That’s Basnight’s office. Carolina got behind the proposal and voted why we make the commitment to the school “We were looking at the inventory of in overwhelming majority to pass into law — to let the university affect the world, not needs of our college campuses. We would the largest bond issuance for university just its immediate area.” look at the existing need and appropriate projects in the country’s history. With its established, well-respected funds to address it, but we were growing so While North Carolina continues to offer university and community college system, the inventory needs list just grew quicker quality higher education at a lower cost than North Carolina is in a better position than than we could address it,” Basnight said. “At nearly every other state, Basnight said it is most states to stave off the “brain drain” the end of each year we’d have greater needs again time to consider developing a bond phenomenon, where the most educated than before, and we had all of these people issue that will prepare the university system citizens leave the state for opportunity moving to the state. We found ourselves for the next decade and beyond. www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 27 UNC CHARLOTTE | alumni profile

Poet Bluz Rogers earns national acclaim

BySlam! Rhiannon Bowman This past December, on a bright emphasizes not only content but, with Carolina-blue day, Boris “Bluz” Rogers equal weight, delivery. The only rule for spit “American Pie” at the Belk Tower. slam poets regards length — performances “American Pie” being one of his many are kept to three minutes and ten seconds. poems and the action of spitting being “Four minutes and you’ll lose your the act of delivering slam poetry, which is audience,” Bluz said. a competitive art with roots buried in the His words are serious and lyrical, meant 1950s jazz-inspired Beat movement that to make people think outside of their

28 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q109 www.UNCC.edu alumni profile | UNC CHARLOTTE

him back — maybe even in syndication — in 2009. It’s a great fit for Bluz, who is a longtime fan. “If you think about the energy and speed of slam and the energy and speed of NASCAR — they naturally go together,” he said. He also hosts a segment, Spoken Word Fridays, each Friday morning, at 7:50 a.m., during Power 98 FM’s Morning Madhouse show, has made appearances on numerous other radio and television programs, opened for national recording artists from Pink Floyd to Outkast and performed for business leaders like Ted Turner, Bob Johnson, Jerry Richardson, among others. “His stars are slung so high and he’s reaching for them. That is just inspiring, his progress is so impressive,” said Cheryl Spainhour, UNC Charlotte lecturer and Journalism Curriculum Committee chair. Bluz was a student in one of her evening feature writing classes a few years ago when his writing caught her attention. “He is a soft spoken man who is really intelligent.” Even though he admits, “I do feel a little famous,” the fame isn’t getting to him. His family, which includes son Antonio (16) and daughters Akire (7) and Endya (6 months), keep him grounded. “My son is like, ‘Yeah, my Dad’s a poet.’ He’s not own lives, but his message isn’t pieced pursuing his Communication Studies impressed,” said Bluz with a chuckle. together from an angst-filled artist’s life; degree, he heard fellow poet Jessica Care His met his wife, Erika, during an Bluz is a happily married father of three, Moore perform on campus. “She made me extended break from his studies when internationally ranked poet — he’s number care more about what I was saying and want he worked as a teacher’s assistant for the 13 — and the reigning Slammaster of Slam to deal with women in a more respectful Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system’s Charlotte. He spits his poems to crowds way. I saw her years later and told her she afterschool program. She encouraged him large and small, local and international, changed my life,” he said. to return to UNC Charlotte to finish his and always aims to touch the humanity in Today he is active in the local degree, which he did in 2006. Erika, who everyone while encouraging compassion community, encouraging youth poets to is pursuing her Masters Degree at Gardner and acceptance. “We [Slam Charlotte] develop their talent, and a devoted family Webb University, is an educator. “A lot of always say, ‘If we just make a difference for man. And, People cannot get enough of what I am now is because of her support. one person — reach one person — then it his positive spirit. When they see him at It’s kind of a tag-team effort. It’s not hard, doesn’t matter if we win,” he said. venues, like Wine Up in NoDa or at Spirit but it’s not easy, either,” he said. Yet, it is true that he began writing Square at the Blumenthal Performing Arts With a new book, Articulate Slang, an poetry as a teenager after a heart-wrenching Center, where Slam Charlotte competes album, StoriLyne, and an upcoming tour breakup with his high school sweetheart. In monthly, people reach out to touch his arm, of college campuses — in addition to his a 2008 interview with David Dunn, Vice call his name — quietly as if they’re not NASCAR gig — 2009 is going to be a busy Chancellor of University Relations and sure it’s him — only to move on once he’s year for this rising UNC Charlotte star. Community Affairs, on the UNC Charlotte acknowledged them and wished them well. To hear and see Bluz in action, visit his Alumni Today Show, Bluz said, “I was These days his words are reaching a Web site at www.poetrybluz.com. Slam horrible, but I got the bug.” wider audience. In addition to his work Charlotte performs on the third Friday of It didn’t take him long, however, to with Slam Charlotte, NASCAR introduced each month at Blumenthal Performing Arts’ realize his popular poems, full of lovelorn Bluz to their audience in 2008 when Speed McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square. Twelve woe, were self-absorbed and disparaging TV showcased his original poetry during contestants compete at 8 p.m. General to women. In the spring of 1995, while each race of the season. They plan to bring admission tickets are $10 each.

www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 29 UNC CHARLOTTE | feature

Continued from p. 30 “Even if we make every house we build from here on out as green as possible, the there were incentives and/or mandates for impact on the environment won’t be as great architects and contractors to do so; barring as we need it to be because there’s so much pressure from the public or regulators to existing housing stock,” Gentry said. adopt such practices, education is the best He suggested there are a number of means to change minds — from university methods homeowners should employ degree programs to continuing education for to improve the energy efficiency of their architects and contractors. existing homes and plans to use his recently “The construction industry is very purchased 108-year-old home as a case resistant,” Gentry said. “I can sympathize study. because I came up through the industry but But, Gentry warns, homeowners must at the same time, you can find systems that watch out for “green washing,” or the act are environmentally responsible, less labor of misleading consumers regarding the intensive and able to generate more profit, environmental practices of a company or and it’s still a hard sell.” the environmental benefits of a product or Gentry voices frustration with some service. Charlotte-area developments where the new Sometimes avoiding green washing construction harkens back to the 1950s. One involves some simple analysis. For example, major source of energy inefficiency is open bamboo and cork flooring have been crawl spaces. Properly vented and insulated touted as environmentally responsible crawl spaces can be sealed to prevent energy materials. The bamboo flooring comes loss, but the practice is still not used by many from China and the cork from Portugal, contractors in North Carolina. Gentry explained. The pollution created The design goal for environmentally about environmentally responsible housing, in transporting it to the United States responsible housing is to reduce the amount Gentry recently established the Laboratory outweighs the benefits. of energy the house uses. Designing homes for Innovative Housing in the College of “A much better solution is local to make the most of natural daylight, Arts and Architecture Center for Integrated hardwoods, especially hardwoods harvested utilizing high quality window seals, and Building Design Research. from urban forestry,” Gentry said. “Often setting up duct work in a conditioned In a difficult economy, Gentry said the trees are being cut down anyway because space (rather than in a crawl space), also are initiatives such as the prototype house they’re damaged. They would be sold off economical ways to cut energy use. sometimes suffer since they rely upon and ground into mulch if they weren’t used While a step in the right direction, private donations to fund student for flooring. changing the way we build new housing will internships, as well as donations of The bottom line: “Homeowners have to not be a panacea. materials from industry. Though economic educate themselves. It’s incredibly confusing circumstances are unlikely to change any because there’s a wealth of bad information time soon, UNC Charlotte faculty and out there,” he said. Some of the texts staff continue to explore environmentally Gentry references include The Green Student responsible building practices. Handbook and The Passive Solar Energy Book. Prototypes of environmentally responsible Lisa Lambert is senior writer in the homes that can be mass produced may UNC Charlotte Office of Public Relations. provide a solution to the information overload conundrum. Working with Extracting Biofuel Self-Help Community Development from Nature’s Best Corporation, Gentry is creating a prototype Solar Cells – Algae of environmentally responsible affordable By Mike Hermann housing. Additionally, with funding from They are perhaps the planet’s most the Georgia-Carolina Precast Concrete efficient solar cells, and UNC Charlotte Institute (PCI) and the PCI Foundation, researchers are searching for them in greasy, Gentry’s students will study the use of dirty mud puddles. Once found, the team precast concrete in environmentally is working to economically extract valuable responsible senior housing. energy from these slimy organisms. To facilitate partnerships with The natural solar cells are algae. As community organizations, business and photosynthetic microorganisms, many algae industry, and disseminate information use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide to

30 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q109 www.UNCC.edu feature | UNC CHARLOTTE lipids, which are plant oils that can be used to produce biofuels. “There is a lot of theoretical potential in algae biofuels,” said Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science Assistant Professor Gloria Elliott. “It’s still very expensive to bring it to market. The growing and processing of the algae is a high-tech problem.” UNC Charlotte is fortunate to have the interdisciplinary talent needed to take on the challenge. Researchers from biology are collecting and characterizing the algae, chemistry is working on lipid-to-biofuel conversion strategies, mechanical and civil engineering are working on the bioprocessing, and automotive engineering is studying performance and emissions in engines. “We have tremendous strength at UNC Charlotte to contribute to this project,” Elliott said. “We have the people to take it from cradle to grave.” The initial step in producing biofuels from algae is the collection of the algae itself. This effort is being led by Assistant Professor of Biology Matt Parrow. “Algae are basically microscopic plant- like organisms,” Parrow said. “What we’re looking for in terms of good candidates for biofuels is rapid growth with simple nutritional requirements, ability to survive environmental extremes such as high light and heat, and high oil content. These are the things we need most.” The best places to find such hardy algae strains are in harsh environments. So, Parrow has his students collecting algae from greasy mud puddles and newly cut ditches where the first strains of algae begin to grow. From these collections, Parrow is isolating and cultivating the most valuable trace amounts of minerals and sunlight.” alternative energy sources grows, so does strains. With a growing number of potential The team is now experimenting with a student demand for classes addressing strains already identified, the next step is small bioreactor design and a simplified these timely topics. Elliott will teach a to biopreserve them, which is Elliott’s area growth medium that consists of only tap new undergraduate engineering course on of specialty. The next step is processing the water and commercial plant fertilizer. alternative energies in the fall. algae for fuel. For this, the engineers are Future plans call for the scaling up of While research into alternative energy is looking at a variety of techniques, seeking to the bioreactor, which may include some necessary, and exciting, we can’t lose sight use the least energy possible to get the most industrial partnerships. of methods of mitigating environmental energy out of the algae. Research also is underway into the impact that are currently available. “We are working with photosynthetic processing of the algae for fuel. This “Conservation is something we can practice algae, which are essentially living solar cells,” involves filtering out the water, smashing right now,” Elliott said. Elliott said. “They are actually nature’s the algae to extract the oil, collecting the oil most-efficient solar cells. To grow them, we and converting it to biodiesel. Mike Hermann is communications director for need bioreactors that contain water, CO2, As awareness of and research into the College of Engineering. www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 31 UNC CHARLOTTE | alumni profile

Michael Wilson watches as Ms. Bonnie Cone rings the ceremonial Victory Bell in 1990, the year he served as student body president, to mark the 25th anniversary of UNC Charlotte joining the UNC system.

firm of Johnston, Allison & Hord, PA. While Wilson knew as a child he wanted to be a lawyer, he credits his alma mater with providing the academic foundation necessary to achieve his goal. “UNC Charlotte played a huge role in my education and that education has continued to pay dividends in my career,” said Wilson. “Not only did UNC Charlotte provide an opportunity to learn, but the University allowed me to fail and to improve as well — this was both from an academic stand point as well as in a leadership positions. In sum, UNC Charlotte provided a complete education.” A native of Hildebran, a small town in Burke County, Wilson attended the University as a scholarship student. He was a recipient of the Barnhardt Scholarship and the Alumni Scholarship for Merit. As a sophomore, he joined the fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha. “We had an amazing adviser in Dr. Loy Witherspoon,” Wilson noted. “He really took me under his wing as I became more active in Legal the fraternity and on campus. Doc, as we called him, suffered no fools, and he often forced all of us to look hard at our personal goals and plans.” According to Wilson, every month or so Elite Witherspoon would extend an invitation to Michael Wilson among several student leaders to attend the symphony or a similar event in Charlotte. As part of North Carolina’s these cultural outings, Wilson met University top attorneys founder Miss Bonnie Cone. Although Miss Cone had been retired for many years, she remained a presence on campus and had a By Phillip Brown profound impact on Wilson’s collegiate career. During lunch one day, Miss Cone shared with Wilson the history of the University. She Michael Wilson, ’92, is a legal eagle. He as the elite “Young Guns” (members who are recounted its establishment as an extension concentrates on the litigation of commercial under 40 years old). program in the basement of Central High construction and real estate-related matters, Wilson’s peers named him top attorney for School and later its transformation into and he is among the elite attorneys identified construction law matters for 2009 — no small Charlotte College. She concluded with the by “Business North Carolina” magazine as feat for someone with 12-and-a-half years of triumph of guiding the institution as it joined one who has achieved preeminence in the practice. At the same time, he was cited as one the UNC system in 1965. profession. of North Carolina’s “Young Guns.” “At that time, it would be easy to mistakenly Each year, “Business North Carolina” The former 49er student body president dismiss Miss Bonnie as a stereotypical contacts the more than 18,000 active members completed his law degree from UNC Chapel grandmother who just happened to be involved of the North Carolina State Bar to name the Hill in 1996. He returned to Charlotte in with the University, but she was far from top attorneys in specific practice areas as well 1998, where he is currently a partner in the it.” During his sophomore year, Wilson was

32 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q109 www.UNCC.edu alumni profile | UNC CHARLOTTE considering transferring to another school and beyond the classroom. An undergraduate the prospect of his alma mater increasing its shared as much with Miss Cone. history major who was pursuing minors presence in Charlotte’s business district. “In her very Southern and polite, but in political science and economics, Wilson “The Center City Building will be amazing. strong-willed way, she convinced me how recalled spending countless hours in the offices It will really help to foster a connection between unique UNC Charlotte was,” Wilson of political science professor Roger Brown and Charlotte and the University,” noted Wilson. explained. “I still remember her posing the history professors Eddie Lee, David Goldfield “I think in some respects UNC Charlotte is question, ‘What was more challenging and and Cynthia Kierner. “They pushed you still underappreciated in our own back yard, rewarding – to build something or to buy intellectually. They were great teachers and each but this new building will help bridge that gap. something built by others?’” had so much academic and real life information Business leaders and executives will have more The passion and commitment Miss Cone to pass on and share.” convenient access to graduate course work to exhibited toward the institution fueled the During his time at UNC Charlotte, Wilson advance their careers, and many undergraduate budding campus leader’s own desire to be part had the concept of building reinforced by Miss students will be able to work (full or part-time) of the process. Cone, but large-scale development fascinated and more easily gain access to the education “Miss Bonnie was such a strong and Wilson well before college. During one that UNC Charlotte has to offer.” visionary leader for this institution,” said summer, he worked for Powell Construction as It has been 15-plus years since his college Wilson. As a result, he undertook more a carpenter’s assistant to help build a wastewater graduation; however, Wilson takes great pride leadership roles across campus, eventually treatment facility near his hometown. in his alma mater as it continues to grow running for and being elected student body and mature into one of the state’s premier president at the end of his sophomore year. institutions of higher learning. In fact, one of “After that lunch, whenever I would encounter his most prized possessions is a photo signed by Miss Bonnie on campus, she would never pass Miss Cone. It has been displayed prominently by without stopping me to ask, ‘What are we above every desk where he has studied or building today, Mr. Wilson?’” worked since graduation. The picture is of Miss Of course, Wilson had much to report as Cone ringing the Victory Bell in 1990, the year the University was growing into maturity. he served as student body president, to mark Chancellor James Woodward was in his first the 25th anniversary of UNC Charlotte joining year and planning was under way for a new the UNC system. student recreation facility (what would become The original bell from Charlotte College had Barnhardt Student Activity Center). been “unearthed” in the Mineshaft by Keith “He (Chancellor Woodward) had the Wassum in 1989. Wassum, who is currently same fire as Miss Bonnie. He saw what UNC associate vice chancellor for business services, xum E

Charlotte could mean to the region,” Wilson was at that time the director of the Cone eve

stated. “He would share his plans with us t Center. Wassum approached Wilson who S

and was very open to student input. It was a by lobbied the Student Government Association

privilege to be part of the conversation with our oto for funding to refurbish the bell, which had h new chancellor.” P fallen into disrepair. Wilson also spearheaded Michael Wilson today. While he embraced the opportunities for the March 1990 celebration to commemorate campus involvement, Wilson knew that the the 25th anniversary of UNC Charlotte path to law school also required academic Wilson’s passionate advocacy for growth becoming part of the system; he arranged from excellence. has enabled him to become one of the state’s Miss Cone to be present to ring the Victory “UNC Charlotte, like most colleges, was a top legal minds for the construction industry. Bell just as she did in 1965. very open environment and afforded you the “How these large structures and “Everything came together, except on the opportunity to learn and grow in the direction developments come together has always day of the celebration it started to rain, so we you chose. Education is truly what you make held my interest,” Wilson stated. “Nothing had to move the event into the atrium of the of it, but I discovered that the University gets built without vision and the joining Colvard building,” explained Wilson. “I must provided me with all of the building blocks together of ideas and problem solving. have looked a little agitated, because Miss that I would need to get into law school,” Often, even on a multi-million dollar Bonnie asked me what was wrong, and I said said Wilson. “Not only did I receive all the project, this is reduced at its base level I was disappointed that the weather didn’t fundamental skills of a liberal arts education, to individuals coming together to work cooperate for the ceremony. In her classic but my campus involvement helped to foster through the construction process. You can style, without missing a single beat, she just greater self-confidence. At Chapel Hill, I went do a lot of good as a lawyer, especially with replied, ‘It’s perfect, Mr. Wilson. It rained in to law school with many very talented and regard to conflict resolution and finding 1965, too.’” accomplished people, but UNC Charlotte common ground.” prepared me well for that challenge.” Wilson said he felt especially fortunate Phillip Brown is internal In particular, he remembers the number to practice in Charlotte and be part of the communications manager in the of faculty members who were very accessible region’s record growth. He also is excited at UNC Charlotte Office of Public Relations. www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 33 UNC CHARLOTTE | 49ers notebook

49ers Launch Seat License Sales for Football UNC Charlotte 49ers Football Seat Licenses (FSL) are on sale now. FSLs give the license-holder the right to purchase 49ers football season tickets. The University expects to field a football team in 2013. “We are thrilled with the amount of support our fans have shown over the past few months for 49ers football,” said Director of Athletics Judy Rose. “Reservations for 49ers Seat Licenses have been robust and we are extremely excited to begin actual sales of 49ers Seat Licenses and thrilled to offer a variety of options to all of our fans.” There are three tiers of FSLs: Green Tier, Gold Tier and White Gold Tier Green Tier: $1,000 (seat located between the End Zone and the 30-Yard line) Gold Tier: $2,500 (seat located between the 30-Yard lines) White Gold Tier: Premium FSLs (contact Chancellor Philip L. Dubois addresses media at the November trustees meeting as Board of the 49ers Athletic Foundation for details) Trustees Chair Ruth Shaw and Student Government Association President Tim Ernst look on. A total of 5,500 Green Tier FSLs and 1,800 Gold Tier FSLs are available. Fans on the 49ers Reservation List will online and will be placed on the waiting list. any time. For a $300 transfer fee, license- be given the first opportunity to purchase After April 3, those on the waiting list for holders will be able to transfer their FSL to Green Tier FSLs until Friday, April 3. Once FSLs will have their order validated based anyone, beginning July1, 2012. an FSL has been purchased, a contract will on the date they complete the purchasing According to Rose, the stadium site has be mailed to the account holder and must process. Gold Tier FSLs are available for not yet been determined. Both on and be signed and returned to complete the purchase immediately and are not subject to off campus options for a temporary and purchase. Those who have not yet reserved prior reservations. permanent home are being investigated. FSLs on the 49ers Reservation List are Athletic Foundation membership is not invited to complete the purchasing process required to purchase up to four Green Tier 49ers Picked to Win FSLs. Athletic Foundation membership is Third-Straight A-10 Title required, beginning in fiscal year 2013 (July Niners boast country’s fourth-best 49er Women’s 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013) at a minimum win percentage since 200 Coming off contribution level of $1,500 to purchase consecutive 40-win seasons and conference Basketball Gold Tier and more than four Green Tier titles, UNC Charlotte has been picked The Charlotte 49ers will host FSLs. For the Green and Gold Tiers, initial to win the 2009 Atlantic 10 Baseball the Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball seat location will be determined by the Championship in voting conducted by Championship, Mar. 6 - 9 at Halton license-holder’s Charlotte 49ers Athletic the league’s head coaches. A year ago, Arena. For detailed information check Foundation rank on June 30, 2013. Fans the 49ers became the first A-10 program out http://charlotte49ers.cstv.com/ who are not members of the Athletic since Virginia Tech in 1999-2000 to win or call the 49ers athletics office at Foundation may join for as little as $49 consecutive league titles and seek to become 704-687-4949. a year. the first team in conference annals to win To purchase FSLs and find out more three straight crowns. Led by junior first information about 49ers football, visit baseman Rob Lyerly, the Most Outstanding www.charlotte49erfootball.com or stop by Player of the 2008 A-10 Championship or contact the athletic ticket office (Halton and a second-team pre-season All-America Arena; 9201 University City Blvd.; 704- selection by Collegiate Baseball, UNC 687-4949). FSL purchases can be divided Charlotte has compiled a mark of 92-28 into four payments over the next four over the past two seasons. Over the past years with the first installment due upon three seasons, Charlotte has the fourth-best purchase. FSLs are transferable to a member win percentage in all of Division I baseball. of the license-holder’s immediate family at Softball Picked to Finish

34 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q109 www.UNCC.edu 49ers notebook | UNC CHARLOTTE

Second in the Atlantic 10 2008 Championships to lead UNC Charlotte Following up on its remarkable run to the Upcoming to a runner-up finish. Senior Adu Dentamo, championship game at the 2008 Atlantic who won the 2008 A-10 Cross Country 10 tournament, the UNC Charlotte 49ers 49er Club Championship, will pace the distance runners softball team has been selected to repeat as following a record-breaking season in the 2008 conference runners-up this season, according Special Events 3000 meter steeplechase. Miler Chase Eckard, to the pre-season coaches poll. Coming off a 32nd Annual the 2007 Most Outstanding Track Performer, 35-31 campaign, with impressive victories over 49er Club Golf Outing will be back with the team after red-shirting the Georgia Tech, Providence and North Carolina, • Sponsored by Dr. Jim Fleischli, 2008 season. Charlotte will bring back starters at eight of OrthoCarolina nine positions as well as the core of a lineup • April 20, Pine Island Country Club Charlotte Women’s Tennis which snapped the team’s school records for • Shotgun start at 11 a.m. Pair in Regional Rankings at-bats and triples. UNC Charlotte will see • $2,500 for a team of four, including For the second straight season, 49ers the school record holder for single season hits, hole sponsorship doubles partners Yudeshnee Pillay Serena Smith, last year’s leader in runs and (Johannesburg, South Africa) and Ana triples, Sarah Malene, and last year’s batting 26th Annual Great Spivakovsky (Beer-Sheva, Israel) enter the champion, Whitney Williams, return to anchor Gold Rush Auction 2009 season ranked 15th in the Southeast at a sensational offense for the 49ers. Malene • Sponsored by Chartwells, a Division the Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll. earned First Team All-Conference accolades for of Compass Group The international duo is 30-7 over the past stellar junior season, while Smith was an All- • June 6, Halton Arena year-and-a-half since Pillay transferred into Atlantic 10 tournament selection and Williams • $1,000 for a table of 10 or $100 per the program. The pair finished 7-3 this past earned Second Team All-Conference and All- person fall and 14-2 in the spring last year. Tournament honors after leading the Niners at • Silent auction begins at 5:30 p.m., to Pillay finished 18-11 in singles and 15-11 the plate by hitting at a .335 clip. be followed by a live auction in doubles for last year, following a successful The Niners also will return their entire two-year stint at the University of Auburn- pitching staff, including Katy Hackett and became the first in school history to go the Montgomery, where she was 52-3 overall in Emily Jeffery. Hackett returns after breaking NCAA Tournament in each of their four years. singles play and 50-4 in doubles play for the the single season strikeouts record in her first The 49ers will host the Palisades Collegiate NAIA National Champions. year in the green and gold with 170 punch- Championship, April 13-14, at Palisades Spivakovsky fought some injuries last outs, while Jeffrey struck out 146 batters to Country Club in Charlotte. year, finishing 14-12 in singles and 18-10 find herself in third place on the all-time UNC in doubles action. She was the Atlantic 10 Charlotte list. 49ers Track Team Rookie of the Year in 2007, finishing with a to Host A-10 Championship school-record 26 singles wins. Individually, Golf Team Looks for The UNC Charlotte 49ers will host the she was ranked at No. 95 nationally by the A-10 Title, NCAA Trip Atlantic 10 men’s and women’s Outdoor Track ITA, the first such ranking for a 49er in the With two-time All-American Corey Nagy and Field Championship May 2 - 3. The history of the program. and the Nation’s former No. 1-ranked collegiate 49ers outdoor women’s team has won three golfer Stefan Wiedergruen leading the way, the straight A-10 titles. Senior Lamarra Currie, the Anders Leads Men’s Tennis 49ers will vy for their fourth straight Atlantic 10 2008 A-10 Most Outstanding Outdoor Track Pair in Regional Rankings title and unprecedented fifth straight trip to the Performer, leads the talented team. The senior Sophomore Michael Anders, a first team NCAA Tournament. The golf program became sprinter earned academic all-America honors all-Atlantic 10 selection last year, will lead a the first in school history to earn four straight to go along with her USTFCCCA all-America 49ers team that continues to battle for the NCAA bids and have put together back-to-back honors. She will be joined by defending long A-10 crown. The 49ers have finished in the NCAA Top 10 finishes over the last two years. jump champion Pat Springs, distance specialist top four in the league in each of their three With interim head coach Adam Pry leading Aja Jackson, who won A-10 titles in the 800 and seasons, reached the championship match the way, the 49ers hope to extend their string. 1500, and fellow sprinter Ebonie Cunningham, twice and claimed the 2007 A-10 Title and Nagy was named honorable mention all-America who was named the A-10’s Most Outstanding accompanying NCAA Tournament bid. as both a freshman and sophomore while Rookie last year. Head coach Jim Boykin, the 2007 A-10 Wiedergruen was ranked first in the nation The men’s team won the A-10 Outdoor Coach of the Year, enters his 16th season at in the fall of 2007 while earning Golf World’s title in 2006 and will look for their second the helm for the 49ers. Returners Moritz National Mid-Year Player of the Year honor. In league crown at home in 2009. Sophomore Bernhoerster, Ricky Cuellar and Chris Huynh 2008, the 49ers finished eighth at the NCAA Darius Law was the first trackster to be named all joined Anders with double-digit wins last Championship on the heels of program-best the conference Most Outstanding Performer season. Both Anders and Cuellar posted perfect third-place finish in 2007. The 49ers will look and Most Outstanding Rookie in the same 3-0 records at the A-10 Championships as to a variety of options to fill out the lineup season. Law captured titles in the 200 and UNC Charlotte placed 4th of 13 teams. following the graduation of a senior class that 400 meter runs and the 4x100 relay at the www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 35 UNC CHARLOTTE | giving

GIVING

Dickson Gate Dedicated in November It is fitting the new front entrance to the UNC Charlotte campus bear the name Dickson Gate. An attractive, landscaped, two-lane divided road, flanked by eight 20-foot tall brick pylons, now announces the arrival to UNC Charlotte. This important project was made possible by a generous donation from The Dickson Foundation and Harris Teeter. When Rush S. Dickson chose to pursue a business education, he laid the foundation for a lifetime of entrepreneurship and service. From a modest beginning in the textile industry, to founder of the investment banking enterprise R.S. Dickson & Company in 1919, Rush’s legacy spans generations. Rush Dickson’s children continue UNC Charlotte Chancellor Philip L. Dubois presents an artistic rendering of the Dickson Gate to Alan T. Dickson at the dedication ceremony. the legacy of charitable work established by their father. The Foundation is led by sons R. Stuart Dickson and Alan T. Dickson, former chairmen of Ruddick Corporation from 1968 to 1994 and 1994 to 2006, respectively. Ruddick owns the Harris Teeter grocery chain and American & Efird, a leading manufacturer of sewing thread.

Giving to the University Is Rising Fiscal 2008 funding milestones included: • University fundraising reached $18.6 million, an increase of about 25 percent from the prior year. • Support for the University’s endowment increased by nearly $3.6 million over the previous year. • Private support for the University’s athletic programs increased by nearly The University community gathered in Robinson Hall to celebrate the dedication of Dickson $1.4 million. Gate. From left, Mary Anne Dickson, Chancellor Philip L. Dubois, Lisa Dubois, Ruth Shaw, Joanne Dickson, Alan T. Dickson, and Smoky Bissell. • Alumni contributions were $2 million.

36 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q109 www.UNCC.edu Continued from p. 11 of community development in the market it Is the region still too dependent serves; and it has treated customers, employees, on the banking industry? and members of the local communities in How can and should it diversify? This final element is a dramatic departure which it has acquired other banks most from the current regulatory fabric used to favorably and humanely over the years. Plath – A downturn in banking causes examine and supervise financial institutions However, Wells Fargo’s management team much too much disruption in the local in the United States, because the systemic- bears no particular connection or affiliation economy, since so many of the region’s risk regulator will have complete control to the North Carolina region so they might highest paying jobs are in the financial over the consolidated operations and capital not view Charlotte with the same loyalty and sector. It’s not so much that employment positions of financial institutions that sensitivity they expressed toward Minneapolis is concentrated too heavily in banking, participate in many different functional areas when they merged with Norwest Bancorp but it’s that our regional income base of the American financial system. several years ago. Second, the Wells- is concentrated too heavily in banking. At present, we have a patchwork of Wachovia transaction is a much larger and Median bank salaries run more than different regulatory agencies that each more complicated combination than putting twice the median income level in the supervises a particular functional business Norwest together with Wells Fargo. The region. Losing one median bank job is line in the finance industry, including additional complexity of the current Wells- like losing 2.5 “average” jobs in the region. insurance, commercial banking, investment Wachovia combination may lead to greater The financial sector may look different banking, brokerage, mutual funds and changes, including deeper job cuts and a going forward, but considering the success securities trading, and financial markets. more dramatic corporate restructuring, than we have had with it here, any diversification the Norwest-Wells Fargo combination. should look at adding new and possibly What kind of corporate Finally, the current Wells-Wachovia related sectors, not moving away from this citizen will Wells Fargo be? combination is occurring in the most difficult sector as a key part of our economic strategy. banking environment since the Great Basically, Charlotte is well positioned Plath – It’s really impossible to tell until we Depression, while the Norwest-Wells Fargo to be a player in a wide range of sectors see exactly what Wells Fargo has planned union occurred in the calm and peaceful that may develop or realign as result of for its new eastern seaboard region created economic waters of 1998. The harsh reality this current downturn. The key will be to with the firm’s acquisition of Wachovia. If of the current financial environment will react quickly to opportunities and know an past experience is any guide to the future, likely require greater merger discipline, and opportunity when one emerges. Wells will likely be an outstanding corporate deeper job cuts, than the Norwest-Wells citizen. The bank has a strong track record union 11 years ago. John D. Bland is editor of UNC Charlotte

www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 37 UNC CHARLOTTE | feature

Friday discusses some of his research on China’s criminal justice system with Vivian Lord, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice at UNC Charlotte.

the Criminal Justice Department international distinction and will increase the University’s national reputation. According to Friday, this joint initiative will sponsor a series of international professional and academic exchanges aimed at assisting China on its legal reforms and broadening American perspectives on crime prevention and rehabilitation. “This is a one-of-a-kind initiative that will have a long-term beneficial effect on education at both institutions and on professionals in the communities served by the universities,” he said. The first goal is to establish meaningful exchanges via short conferences and workshops. International and criminal law Continued from p. 19 experts will travel to SWUPL to address topics related to the rule of law, social justice, victimology and domestic violence. conferences held in China back in 1996,” he In the long term, scholars will engage in said. While 12 years does not seem like a long comparative research, and practitioners will learn time, it’s virtually an eternity when it comes to new and alternative approaches to crime control. Western academicians collaborating with their Friday traveled to China in November to counterparts from the Communist country. deliver the agreement, signed by UNC Charlotte “You don’t just walk into China,” he said with Chancellor Philip L. Dubois, to his counterparts an impish grin. at SWUPL. The project has been approved by Friday’s latest research efforts have elevated his the Ministry of Higher Education in China. stature and UNC Charlotte’s role as a thought Located in Chongqing, China, SWUPL is leader in one of the most important political and considered the most prestigious criminal law social challenges of the 21st Century and beyond school in China. More than 70 percent of all – the relations between the United States and judges and prosecutors in China completed Mainland China. study at SWUPL, and the institution is one of Thanks to his groundbreaking work, UNC three to accept students from the entire country. Charlotte recently signed an agreement with In 2002, Friday traveled to Beijing to accept Other members of the institute’s executive the Southwest University of Political Science the Award for Contributions to Chinese committee are: Chuanjiang Mei, vice- Where were and Law (SWUPL) in Chongqing, China. Research by China Society for Research in dean of SWUPL School of Law; Kaicheng The Memorandum of Understanding enables Juvenile Delinquency. Huang, director, Sociology Research Center, both universities to collaborate in such areas as SWUPL; Jiahong Liu, director, Center for criminology, criminal law and criminal justice. Drug Research, SWUPL; and Vivian Lord, you in ’61? The first step will be the establishment Delinquency honored Friday for his work. chair of UNC Charlotte’s Department of of a UNC Charlotte-SWUPL International “The Department of Criminal Justice Criminal Justice. Institute for Justice Studies at the leading is cited as one of the most internationally Friday continues to serve as an NGO Chinese university. engaged departments in the College of Liberal representative to the United Nations Crime Friday will head this initiative – the only U.S.- Arts and Sciences,” said Vivian Lord, chair of Commission in Vienna and Executive Board China effort that focuses specifically on social the Department of Criminal Justice at UNC member and Treasure of the World Society and criminal justice research and exchange. He Charlotte. “We have achieved this distinction of Victimology in addition to on-going recently completed two major projects in China primarily because of Paul Friday’s work. “ empirical research in both China and India. – a long-term study of delinquency as well as The UNC Charlotte-SWUPL International research on the processing of drug-trafficking Institute for Justice Studies is another example Paul Nowell is media relations manager in cases. The China Society for Research in Juvenile of the type of collaborations that has brought the UNC Charlotte Office of Public Relations.

38 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q109 www.UNCC.edu building blocks | UNC CHARLOTTE

A dapper undergrad confidently strides past the Where were Kennedy building in 1961. No worries getting lost on the Charlotte College campus – all it consisted of was Kennedy, Macy and the old barn that stood where you in ’61? Colvard North now stands. Today, UNC Charlotte has developed hundreds of its nearly 1,000 acres, with 129 buildings, six parking decks, 6.4 million square feet of facilities under-roof and more than 23,000 students. Come see us!

www.UNCC.edu  Q109 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 39 UNC CHARLOTTE | alumni notes Marsha Spaine Walpole, Ms. Banks is the owner/founder of 1970s ’82, was recently elected to the Simko Communications, an independent Watauga County (NC) Board of agency that provides strategic public Henry Doss, ’77, works as a consultant Education. She will serve a relations planning, freelance writing and and in various entrepreneurial roles, as two-year term. marketing services to clients. well as following in his “second career” in rock music. His wife, Chris ’97, works Jennifer Fox Boyle, ’07, and Joshua as assistant director for the National 1990s Stearman Boyle, ’07, were married on Committee for the New River. The October 4, 2008. The couple currently couple resides in West Jefferson, North resides in Winston Salem. Jennifer is Carolina, and is involved in a number of David, ’99, and Regena (Riggins) currently pursuing a master’s degree in volunteer capacities in their community. Brown, ’99, welcomed their first child, English from UNC Greensboro. Evan Isaiah Brown on July 12, 2008. Lisa Leatherman Cameron, ’08, and Michael Long, ’78, was recently named David is the Controller for Community her husband, Archie, welcomed their as a full-time professor of finance at the Link and Regena is the Human fourth child, Tucker Eli, on February 23, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. Resources and Benefits Administrator 2008. He joins big brothers Silas, 8 and for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte. Gavin, 5, and big sister Amelia Grace, 2. Leah A. Durner, ’94, was recently 1980s Gretchen (Bilynsky) Dunfey, ’02, and named global indirect tax lead or KPMG’s her husband Chris welcomed their son, energy sector. Durner joined KPMG in Tom Booth, ’86, vice president and Sean, in August 2008. general manager of Hardin Construction 1997 and resides in Alexandria, Va. Diana Cavender Dymek, ’02, and Company LLC, has been named a Real Carrie Allred Langley, ’98, married Michael C. Dymek are proud to Estate Impact Leader by Business Leader John Rudolph Langley “Rudy” on announce the birth of their second son, magazine. The awards are presented in September 13, 2008, in Burlington, Joshua Cavender Dymek. Joshua was recognition of outstanding achievements North Carolina. The couple resides in born April 30, 2008. Joshua joins big in the professional field as well as in Greensboro, North Carolina. the community. A graduate of the UNC brother Nicholas, 3. Todd, ’94, & Ashley Wood, ’96, Charlotte, Booth has been with Hardin for Darwin Hanna, ’04, graduated from welcomed a new addition to their more than 11 years and has spent nearly The George Washington University household. Their son, Myers Tate, has 25 years working in construction. in August of 2008 with a Masters in joined siblings MacKenzie and Mason. Booth, a Triangle native, is responsible Tourism Administration. His area of for overall administration and specialization is Sustainable Destination management of construction and pre- 2000s Management. construction services at Hardin as well Dr. Ginny Magnus, ’05, received the as new business development in North Counselor Educator of the Year 2008 Carolina. Booth has been with Hardin for Kim (Simko) Banks, ’00, has earned the prestigious Accredited in Public from the Tennessee School Counselor more than 11 years and has spent nearly Association. Dr. Magnus teaches at the 25 years working in construction. Relations (APR) designation from the Universal Accreditation Board, a University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Patti Powell Alexander, ’80, achieved consortium of nine public relations Bret McCormick, ’07, has been hired status of “National Certification for and communications organizations, by The State Port Pilot. While at UNC School Nurses” in August 2008. She including the Public Relations Society of Charlotte, Bret worked for the UTimes is employed by the Cleveland County America (PRSA). and covered basketball, baseball and Health Department at the School-based soccer. health center at Shelby Middle School in Ms. Banks is now one of only 42 public Shelby. relations professionals in the state Erin (Day) Pratt, ’06, and Hunter with the APR designation, the hallmark Pratt, ’07, were married on September Reginald Alston, ’88, was recently for public relations professionals. To 20, 2008. The couple resides in Fort named Regulatory Compliance Officer achieve APR status, public relations Mill, SC. with Morton Grove Pharmaceuticals. professionals must apply, complete an Ashley E. Wondra, ’01, published her oral review in which they demonstrate Hank Foreman, ’86, has been named first children’s book April 21, 2008. their skills and abilities, and pass a assistant vice chancellor for Arts and The title of the book is Kelsey’s Coat. written exam. The APR designation Cultural Affairs at Appalachian State The book is a Christmas story about signifies mastery of the public relations University. Foreman recently served as the Salvation Army Angel Tree and body of knowledge and the holder’s director of the Turchin Center for Visual coat drives. Arts at ASU and has been employed at commitment to ethical behavior. Appalachian State University since 1993. Janet Cox Little, ’82, has joined Presbyterian Hospital Matthews as an Infection Preventionist. Janet has worked in the field of Infection What are you doing? Prevention & Control for the past 18 It is time to share what you’ve been up to lately and let other Alumns help years. you toot your horn or spread the word on small or large achievements. We Diane Sutton, ’89, ’95, has joined want to hear from you. Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte Campus, as an Admissions Officer. She Visit Alumni Affairs Web site at www.unccharlottealumni.org will focus on increasing the school’s and tell us what you’ve been doing. transfer population. She and her Or write Alumni Affairs, UNC Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd. husband, Eric ’78, sent their daughter, Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 Rebecca, off to Guilford College this fall.

40 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Q109 www.UNCC.edu perspective | UNC CHARLOTTE

Developing Global Citizens By Joël A. Gallegos Assistant Provost for International Programs Office of International Programs When UNC System President Erskine career in a knowledge based global economy. continue to expand and enlarge the number of Bowles took office, he charged all of us to do a We recognize the importance for our students exchange agreements with prestigious colleges better job of preparing our students to succeed to develop a skill set that prepares them to and universities. UNC Charlotte has new and in the new global economy. The importance better understand the interdependence and longstanding partnerships and agreements with of the need for our students to become more interconnectedness of the many world regions universities around the world, from Europe globally-aware extends to the very top of the and cultures around them. to Southeast Asia, Latin America, China and administration at UNC Charlotte. Chancellor As a rising research institution, UNC Australia. Philip L. Dubois and our Provost Joan Lorden Charlotte attracts a large and active Still, we endeavor to do even as well as all of the deans from the various community of international more in a more thoughtful colleges are committed to advancing the students and faculty in a and far-reaching way. UNC international mission of our campus. variety of disciplines, Charlotte is a window UNC Charlotte has been a locus of from engineering to the rest of the world international programming and studies for to business to not only for our more than a generation. The breadth and liberal arts. students but also for depth of our on- and off- campus international Additionally, over our community. We activities is far reaching. From a variety of the last two years, look forward to internationally focused degree and area study UNC Charlotte pursuing our programs to student and faculty exchange to has seen an international agenda our very own archeological dig in Israel, we impressive 20 and continuing to celebrate our international campus and our percent increase serve as a resource international accomplishments. in the number of for our great and We strive to develop global competencies in students studying ever changing our students to prepare them for a competitive abroad and we international city.

www.UNCC.edu UNC CHARLOTTE magazine Who says it doesn’t get cold in Charlotte? The chancellor’s residence, Bissell House.

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