[ CHANCELLOR'S LETTER ] Connected like never before with light rail ith the opening of service on the Lynx Blue Line Extension, we Wmark the completion of the most transformational project in UNC Charlotte’s history. The distance between Center City and Likewise, the business and research communities University City has just shrunk dramatically. now have greater direct access to both new At the time I was first introduced to the and established opportunities to benefit from project in the summer of 2005 by (then) Mayor the University’s role as convener in activities The Blue Line Pat McCrory, we could foresee that its promise like energy summits at our EPIC building and of a rapid and direct alternative to expressways conversations within our PORTAL building Extension will and busy surface routes would create the ideal about startups, technology transfer, and business- accelerate way to tackle what was once known as the University partnerships. most difficult 10 miles in Charlotte. Light rail The quickening rate of residential and business exponentially offers opportunity for our students, as they are growth from NoDa to University City is likely connected like never before to game-changing to surpass the economic development light rail the shared experiences. Among the strengths derived from created in South End. In fact, in the fall of 2020, journey of the being in Charlotte are its terrific internships and when we open our new state-of-the-art conference employment opportunities. It’s no surprise that center and hotel at the J.W. Clay/UNC Charlotte city and its about 70 percent of our alumni stay right here Station at North Tryon, patrons of The Marriott public research in the Charlotte region, when so many of our at UNC Charlotte will be able to gain access students are exposed to professional opportunities to the amenities of Center City as easily as can university. We before graduation. be imagined. The easy connection via the UNC Charlotte Since the northeast location for Charlotte are connected Main Station and the Ninth Street Station College (later to become UNC Charlotte) was like never in Uptown will open even wider the doors of selected by Miss Bonnie Cone 61 years ago on opportunity to expand the undergraduate and the site of what was then a dairy farm pasture, before! graduate programs offered at UNC Charlotte the University’s growth has kept pace with a Center City. Already we can see beyond our remarkable trajectory shared with the city and current projected enrollment goal of 35,000 region. The Blue Line Extension will accelerate by 2025. exponentially the shared journey of the city and During peak periods, trains will come and its public research university. We are connected go from the UNC Charlotte Main Station at an like never before! eight-minute pace, making it possible for many more members of the Charlotte community to take advantage of our beautiful, 1,000-acre campus. It’s now easier than ever before to enroll in classes, earn a degree, attend a Charlotte 49ers basketball or football game, and take in a theatrical Philip L. Dubois performance or concert at Robinson Hall. Chancellor ContentsUNC Charlotte Magazine • Spring • 2018 10 All Aboard: Light Rail Arrives at UNC Charlotte When the first train pulled into UNC Charlotte Main Station, the rhythm of daily campus life was forever changed. A crowd of eager students, faculty members and staff filled the platform, determined to be among the first to ride the train. The Blue Line Extension opens unlimited opportunities for the entire University community in terms of new access to internships and employment for students; programs and events at both campuses; sports, cultural and entertainment options; and much more. FEATURES 13 Eyeing Equity, Inclusion 32 Ties That Bind In her new role as the dean of the fastest- Even though it has been more than 70 years since growing college in the UNC System and the the end of World War II, many rich connections still most comprehensive technology program in exist between the individuals affectionately known as the state, Fatma Mili is determined to make “The Greatest Generation” and UNC Charlotte, which the most of the vast opportunities within the opened its doors to returning WWII veterans in 1946 as College of Computing and Informatics. the Charlotte Center. 16 Collaborative Power 36 Healthy Move The work of UNC Charlotte researcher Adam The spotlight on mental health, crisis services Reitzel and the members of his team extend and campus safety continues to shine on college beyond lab and classroom. Their efforts are campuses. The University’s Counseling and having a profound impact on science education, Psychological Services’ move into a new building and they seek to influence the teaching of enables it to offer expanded services. science labs. 39 Not In My City 22 Iconic Athletics Director Erin Coggins and Sydney Welch are employing their In announcing her retirement, Judy Rose resources to make an impact. Using grant money closes out an illustrious 43-year career. A they receive through the Levine Scholars program, passionate leader, she will be remembered for the students are working directly with victims and her impact in shaping the University’s modern advocates to combat an insidious issue in the city of intercollegiate athletics program. Charlotte: human trafficking. Spring 2018 | UNC CHARLOTTE magazine 1 Contents FEATURES The University of North Carolina at Charlotte 42 ‘We-Help Town’ VOLUME 25, NUMBER 1 Alumni from the College of Arts + Architecture traveled to the African country of Ghana where they overcame several obstacles to build a new medical clinic. Stephen Ward Executive Director of 44 Dance Vision University Communication Legally blind, junior Davian Robinson has made a home for himself INTERIM EDITOR Phillip Brown in the University’s Department of Dance, where he continues to Assistant Director for thrive through his unwavering strength and dedication and, most Internal Communication importantly, with the help of his “movement mentor.” AssOciatE EDITOR Susan Shackelford 48 Niner Central NEws EDITOR Niner Central offers an innovative solution to the challenges Jared Moon students face when navigating the business aspects of college — CONTRIBUTING WRITERS financial aid, registering for courses and paying tuition and fees. Phillip Brown Wills Citty Jennifer Howe 50 ‘Chance’ Encounter Susan Messina Alumnus Demond Martin (’93) taught a group of Belk College Jared Moon Melba Newsome of Business students the value of “stepping up” in a unique and Paul Nowell memorable way. Lyndsay Richter Lynn Roberson Maylee Vazquez Meg Whalen Tom Whitestone PROFILES DEPARTMENTS StaFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Wade Bruton 20 Living Globally 3 News Briefs Kat Lawrence Study abroad opens up a world DESIGN & PROductiON 22 49ers Notebook of opportunities — just ask UNC SPARK Publications Charlotte alumnus Ryan Spring (’05). 30 Center Stage He now lives in Japan and is on the faculty of Tohoku University, where he 54 Class Notes UNC Charlotte is published by The University of North Carolina teaches English and graduate courses 58 Building Blocks at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., in linguistics. Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 59 Giving ISSN 10771913 52 Police Presence Assistant Chief Vicki Foster (’91) never 61 Perspective pictured herself in law enforcement EDITORIAL OFFICES: when she earned a psychology degree, 110 Foundation Annex The University of North Carolina but she fulfills her passion of helping at Charlotte others at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police 8734 University City Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28223 Department. 704.687.7214 25,000 copies of this The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is open to people of all races and is committed to publication were printed at a cost of $.96 per piece, for Printed on equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students or a total cost of $24,000. recycled paper employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability. 2 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine | Spring 2018 News Briefs www.UNCC.edu Organizational science professor wins international Humboldt Award teven Rogelberg, a pioneering researcher in the field of organizational Sscience, is among the recipients of the 2018 Humboldt Prize, also known as the Humboldt Research Award. Presented by Germany’s Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the Humboldt Research Award is a prestigious honor granted in recognition of a researcher’s profound, international impact on an academic discipline. A professor of organizational science, management and psychology, as well as director of the interdisciplinary Organizational Science Ph.D. Program, Rogelberg was lauded for his Steven Rogelberg is a world-renowned scholar on meetings in the workplace. research and its practical application in three phenomena: work meetings; organizational done this work in partnership with incredible psychology on an international scale. His research methods; and the stress/health friends, colleagues and students.” leadership of the Organizational Science of employees engaged in “dirty jobs,” Nancy A. Gutierrez, dean of the College Program has attracted high-quality graduate characterized as vital to society but stigmatized of Liberal Arts & Sciences, stated, “Steven’s students to UNC Charlotte and advanced as physically, socially or morally tainted. work has been transformational, not only the scholarship about management, well- The award is named for the late Prussian at UNC Charlotte, but