On May 1, the day following the campus shooting at UNC Charlotte, students gathered in the Star Quad following a vigil in Halton Arena.
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CHANCELLOR'S LETTER
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Niner Nation Perseveres April 30, 2019, is a date that will forever be remembered at UNC Charlotte as one of sadness, shock, and grief. Due to an act of unspeakable violence, two students were killed and four were seriously injured, while dozens of others ran for their lives, and literally hundreds more who were on campus that day sheltered in place. Although nearly four months have passed, our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends still grapple to fully comprehend the impact of this event on our collective consciousness. As we prepare for the start of a new academic year, what is clear—alongside a resolute commitment to remember and honor the victims—is a shared spirit of hopeful optimism and resilience. Without a doubt, the strength of our campus is attributable in large part to the overwhelming support of a broad community that embraced UNC Charlotte in the aftermath of our darkest hour. With the comfort and encouragement provided by people and partners in Charlotte and across the globe, we’ve made it known in one clear voice that Niner Nation is stronger than ever. Since then, our collective strength has been on full display. Dozens shared messages of support through the Niner Nation Remembers website and hundreds more offered ideas for moving forward. More than $87,000 was raised for victims and families through the Niner Nation Unites crowdfunding site and, separately, permanently endowed scholarships were established by an anonymous donor in memory of Riley Howell and Reed Parlier. The Niner Nation Remembrance Commission, whose members will make recommendations about appropriate campus memorials, held its inaugural meeting in May and will reconvene soon to review its initial research. During spring commencement, we celebrated 4,800 new alumni, including survivor Emily Houpt, and this fall we welcome to campus new and returning Niners. And we are extremely grateful that among those returning are Rami Alramadhan, Sean DeHart, and Drew Pescaro, all recovering from their injuries. Our primary focus continues to be the safety and well-being of the entire UNC Charlotte community. Throughout this academic year, increased counseling
services will be available for students through our Center for Counseling and Psychological Services and for employees through the Employee Assistance Program. The number of active shooter training sessions will be expanded for students and employees, and an online resource will be launched to assure the availability of accessible, user-friendly safety and preparedness information. Finally, planning is underway for events to take place next April 30 to mark the first anniversary of the day we experienced the unimaginable. We will share details regarding those as they are finalized. The stories in this edition of UNC Charlotte magazine, dedicated to the victims of April 30, underscore Niner Nation’s ability to come together, navigate waves of sorrow, and discover the depth of our courage, compassion and capacity to care for one another. Please read about those we pledge to never forget; the individuals who are leading our recovery efforts; and the opportunities, programs, and events at our campuses this fall that we hope will inspire you to reaffirm your status as a Niner. Together, our future is bright, bold and strong. We are ALL Niners.
Philip L. Dubois Chancellor
Summer 2019
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Contents UNC Charlotte Magazine • Summer • 2019
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Remembering and Moving Ahead One Step at a Time UNC Charlotte will never forget Riley Howell and Reed Parlier and will forever honor the strength and resilience of the students who were injured. Test of Strength: Student Leaders Thrust into Action SGA President Chandler Crean shares how campus leaders worked together to help Niner Nation unite. Leadership Roundtable The Crisis Leadership Team discusses preparing for crises of all types, leading during a crisis, and lessons for moving forward.
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Partners in Preparedness: Emergency Management and Police and Public Safety University investment in safety and security has led to a mutually supportive partnership.
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Alumni in Law Enforcement Alums on call across Charlotte joined forces through one important night for Niner Nation.
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Niners Helping Niners In the midst of chaos, many people performed selfless acts of kindness and made a difference for others. Strength in Numbers 49 images from social media represent the outpouring of love and encouragement expressed for Niners everywhere.
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Archiving a Tragedy University archivists are preserving and cataloging symbols of grief left at campus memorials. Messages of Hope and Healing The Botanical Gardens offer a pathway to solace and healing through self-expression. Blank Canvas The annual Spotlight Art Exhibition provided local artists, alumni and others an opportunity to begin the healing process through art. Bonded for Life New Niners spent summer days “SOAR-ing” on campus preparing for University life. Prioritizing Counseling Services Services expand this fall to meet the needs of students and faculty as they return to campus. The Psychology of Posttraumatic Growth Psychology professors’ observations opened a door to new thinking about the role of trauma, and how it sometimes leads to positive growth. Events – Fall 2019 Join Niner Nation this fall— for 49ers athletics, fine and performing arts, guest speakers, Homecoming and more.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte VOLUME 26, NUMBER 1
Niles Sorensen Vice Chancellor for University Advancement EDITOR Susan Messina Director of News and Information ASSOCIATE EDITOR Phillip Bown CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Phillip Brown Wills Citty Jonnelle Davis Jennifer Howe Jared Moon Paul Nowell ART DIRECTOR Ryan Honeyman Director of Creative Services PHOTOGRAPHERS Wade Bruton Ryan Honeyman Kat Lawrence Lynn Roberson DESIGN & PRODUCTION SPARK Publications
UNC Charlotte is published by The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 ISSN 10771913
EDITORIAL OFFICES Foundation Annex The University of North Carolina at Charlotte 8730 University City Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28223 704.687.7214
Editor’s Note: Cover image by Ryan Honeyman and Harrison Hieb. Archival photos: Inside front cover, Brandon Kirkley; pages 9, 13, 25: Ryan Honeyman
38,000 copies of this publication were printed at a cost of $.55 per piece, for a total cost of $20,710.
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Printed on recycled paper
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The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is open to people of all races and 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.
Wade Bruton
The front steps of the Kennedy Building quickly became the site of a memorial to the students whose lives were lost and a place to honor those who were injured in their classroom on April 30.
Remembering and moving ahead one step at a time BY JONNELLE DAVIS
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iley Howell and Ellis Reed Parlier, who died on April 30, are forever imprinted on the hearts and minds of the UNC Charlotte community. During commencement ceremonies May 11, their families accepted Degrees in Memoriam for them. A couple’s anonymous gift of $1 million will fund scholarships in Howell’s and Parlier’s names, and the University is consulting with both families to establish criteria reflective of their sons’ lives to determine future recipients of the awards. Howell, of Waynesville, North Carolina, came to UNC Charlotte in fall 2018 as a transfer student. He was an environmental studies major who enjoyed kayaking, canoeing, cross country and cooking. And he was selfless. Howell tackled the gunman inside the Kennedy Building, sacrificing his own life but saving the lives of many of his fellow classmates. Parlier, of Midland, North Carolina, enrolled at UNC Charlotte in fall 2017 with plans to pursue a major in computer science and become a video game developer. The techsavvy Parlier had been the go-to person for any of his family’s technological issues. Over the past several months, the UNC
Charlotte and greater communities have focused on memorializing Howell and Parlier and supporting the four other students injured that day: Rami Alramadhan, Sean DeHart, Emily Houpt and Drew Pescaro, all who have expressed appreciation for the outpouring of love and support as they recover and move forward with their lives. Niner Nation Unites, the University’s crowdfunding effort for all six victims of the April 30 incident, has raised more than $87,000. In addition to the $1 million gift, the families of Parlier and Howell have established individual memorial scholarship funds. Howell’s family also has established the Riley Howell Foundation Fund to benefit organizations that support victims of gun violence. In June, the foundation made its first gift, which was to UNC Charlotte to fund grief counseling services for students and faculty.
Perseverance paves the path forward
Alramadhan, an engineering major, is looking forward to starting his sophomore year. “I’m going to try to just be normal and focus on my classes,” Alramadhan said. “Because now, I don’t just study for me. I study for Riley and Reed. I’m going to do my best for them.”
Houpt received a bachelor’s degree in international studies May 11; she’s starting her career this fall. “I want to thank everyone who has reached out to my family and me,” Houpt said. “The outpouring of support has been tremendous and has meant a lot as we continue to work through what took place on April 30.” DeHart spent his summer working in Charlotte and is looking forward to starting his junior year. A communications major, Pescaro is eager to start his junior year. He intends to continue working with the football team and to be involved with his fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega. Pescaro also plans to work with the Christine F. Price Center for Counseling and Psychological Services to provide mental health healing groups for students who are still coping with the events of April 30. “This experience has made me appreciate life much more than I realized,” Pescaro said. “I understand how precious every day is, and that the power of love is so much stronger than that of hate.” Jonnelle Davis is coordinator for Advancement communications, University Communications. Summer 2019
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Ryan Honeyman
Student leaders, including SGA President Chandler Crean (shown speaking), organized a vigil in Halton Arena on the evening of May 1. More than 7,000 students, faculty, staff and community members attended, filling the arena nearly to capacity.
Test of Strength Student leaders thrust into action BY CHANDLER CREAN, SGA PRESIDENT
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n April 11, 2019, I was sworn into office as president of UNC Charlotte’s Student Government Association (SGA) for 2019-20. Nineteen days later, on April 30, we experienced one of the worst days in UNC Charlotte history. My name is Chandler Crean; I am a senior from Fayetteville, North Carolina, double majoring in finance and management. I have been lucky to call UNC Charlotte home since fall 2016, when I arrived as a new student trying to find a way to stake my claim as a 49er. I thought about all the opportunities 4
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for getting involved and decided to go for it, like any other freshman. I wanted to make an impact in a variety of ways, specifically, to have a lasting effect on current and prospective students, and also as a part of the Greek community. I jumped right into several activities and eventually held leadership positions—none of which compares to the duties and responsibilities of student body president. I had, of course, observed and learned from the work of my predecessors, but I’ve discovered that came with no forewarning or guarantee of what my term would entail.
Like everyone who was on campus on April 30, I could not believe that a shooting had occurred at UNC Charlotte. My first thoughts were whether or not there were victims and to let my parents know I was OK. Shortly thereafter, I received—as an ex-officio member of the University’s Board of Trustees by virtue of my role as SGA president—an email updating all trustees about the victims. At that point, I began to consider my responsibilities to our students and the campus community.
I quickly became overwhelmed with emails, texts, phone calls and social media messages from friends, students and campus leaders from across the United States, some whom I know and others I have never met. Later that evening, while speaking with two other student leaders, planning started for the next day’s vigil to remember those who were injured and those we lost. Within 24 hours, I was speaking to more than 7,000 students, faculty members, administrators, government officials and alumni in Halton Arena with multiple media outlets present. It was a challenge—as it was my first address to the campus as SGA president—to pull myself together, to be strong and brave, as we helped the UNC Charlotte community unite after such a tragedy. After such a horrific end to the 2018-19 academic year, Niner Nation was able to rise together to celebrate the accomplishments of the class of 2019 at commencement. While some moved on to their next chapter, many of us continued to summer internships, study abroad, volunteer opportunities, course work and to accomplish other great things. My fellow students and I became stronger and feel closer to one another as we prepare for the new academic year. When I think about how the rest of my term and senior year might look, I cannot say. But I can tell you with confidence that positive things are yet to come for UNC Charlotte. The Gage Undergraduate Admission Center is open; our new University Recreation Center will open in January 2020; we’ve broken ground on a $90 million dollar science building; a hotel and conference center is being built on campus; we will travel twice in September to face App State and Clemson in football—and many more exciting events will help us continue to heal. No matter what, UNC Charlotte will always be home for us: We are all Niners! Chandler Crean is president of UNC Charlotte’s Student Government Association (SGA) for the 2019-20 academic year, after previously serving as its chief of staff and vice president. He has been a Niner Guide, a summer housing ambassador and social media ambassador. Currently, he is president of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity as well as a member of the Niner Nation Remembrance Commission.
Niner Nation Remembrance Commission to make recommendations for campus memorials Chancellor Dubois formed the Niner Nation Remembrance Commission to lead a thoughtful process for determining how to best memorialize the victims and honor survivors of April 30. Those appointed are reconvening in August to share outcomes of their initial research, which will form the foundation of the work ahead. For more information, visit ninernationremembers.uncc.edu. The commission is chaired by Emily Zimmern, former president and CEO of the Levine Museum of the New South. Other members are: Kim Bradley, chief of staff to Chancellor Philip L. Dubois Lawrence Calhoun, professor emeritus of psychological science, UNC Charlotte, expert on posttraumatic growth Chandler Crean, 2019-20 president, Student Government Association at UNC Charlotte Jason Dominiczak, UNC Charlotte staff member, a first responder to the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting Carla Hanzal, vice president for public art, Charlotte Arts & Science Council Katie Howell, UNC Charlotte archivist Niayai Lavien ’19, past president, Student Government Association Emily Makas, associate professor of architectural and urban history at UNC Charlotte, interim associate director, School of Architecture and scholar of memorial architecture Michael Marsicano, president and CEO, Foundation For The Carolinas, former president and CEO, Arts & Science Council Tim McCleary, founder and managing director, The Involvement Practice, former resident of Newtown, Connecticut, site of the 2012 tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School Tonderai Mushipe, second-year doctoral student in the geography and earth science program, president, UNC Charlotte Graduate & Professional Student Government Manuel A. Pérez-Quiñones, professor of software and information system and associate dean, UNC Charlotte College of Computing and Informatics David Reed, uncle of Reed Parlier and a 1983 graduate of the Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte and a certified public accountant with Bank of America
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Ryan Honeyman
Chancellor Philip L. Dubois and members of his cabinet have supported investment in crisis preparation—and developing the infrastructure required to manage large and small disruptions to operations.
Leadership Roundtable
Crisis Preparation, Management and Communication EDITED BY SUSAN MESSINA
“You can’t be prepared for every crisis, but you can be prepared.” This lesson from “Presidential Leadership in Time of Crisis,” by Chancellor Philip L. Dubois, was written during his time as president of the University of Wyoming in the wake of the 1998 murder of student Matthew Shepard. It has guided the development of emergency management and crisis communications planning at UNC Charlotte since Dubois arrived in 2005. On April 30, 2019, the University’s crisis plan was implemented from the moment it was known that an active shooter was on campus. Here, Chancellor Dubois and members of his cabinet, who serve on the University’s crisis leadership team, discuss the role of preparation and the response to last spring’s tragedy. Participating are Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Kevin Bailey; Chief of Staff Kim Bradley; Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs Elizabeth Hardin; Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity and General Counsel Jesh Humphrey; Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Joan Lorden; and Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Niles Sorensen. 6
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In an environment that requires universities to plan for any crisis, what is the most important step UNC Charlotte has taken in regard to preparedness? BRADLEY: A priority of the chancellor has been to invest in significant resources for the safety and security of our campus. This includes the development of emergency management and crisis communications plans as well as processes and infrastructure to be able to respond to crises. We have been very deliberate in practicing these plans to make sure that they guide us in an emergency. Staff possessing a solid understanding of their roles and their ability to execute according to plan enabled us to respond effectively to this tragedy. HARDIN: An important part of the process has been training designed to empower individuals to respond to crisis situations—for things we hoped would never be needed, such as implementing crisis communications and family assistance center plans.
HUMPHREY: The development and regular deployment of our crisis communications plan model ended up being incredibly valuable. Because of our familiarity with each other’s strengths and styles, we were able to quickly assign tasks with full faith that they would be done and done well. DUBOIS: Sadly, we know that preparedness does not mean prevention. Although we have increased the number of police officers and implemented other measures aimed at reducing the opportunities for criminal activity, there is little that can be done to deter a determined and well-armed assailant. But we were prepared to respond, not because of just one step but rather a series of steps related to campus safety: formation of the Campus Safety and Security Committee, comprehensive training for our police, implementation of advanced technology for locking down the campus, repeated drills for our senior administrative officers in crisis response and active shooter training for members of the campus community. BAILEY: Those steps—plus hiring competent staff with the experience and expertise to manage crises from their position in the organization—contributed to UNC Charlotte’s preparedness. Over the course of the evening of April 30 and the following days, what were the University’s immediate concerns and how did those evolve? DUBOIS: Our main concern was that we maintain a singular focus on supporting the families of Riley Howell and Reed Parlier and provide for the needs of the four wounded students. Everything else—campus communications, managing commencement ceremonies, and leading the campus back in the direction of recovery—followed from ensuring appropriate care and concern for the victims. LORDEN: When the alert came to my computer, I almost immediately started to hear approaching sirens. Through my window, I saw police arrive and students heading for the front of campus. My main concern was to find out whether or not there were injuries and ongoing threats.
After it became clear that there indeed were casualties, concern shifted to parents and other family members. SORENSEN: Add to that the demand— from the first moment—that we deliver timely and accurate information. An avalanche of national media descended upon us; social media required constant monitoring; students and faculty needed information about final exams. And those who were scheduled to graduate and their families needed information about commencement. What attributes are essential for leading in a crisis? HUMPHREY: I will never forget the very first thing the chancellor said to the leadership team early on the morning of May 1: No matter what distractions or criticisms were in store in the days ahead, our focus and priority was to serve victims and families. His words that morning set the tone for every aspect of the University’s response. BRADLEY: In a crisis, a community looks to its leaders for reassurance and guidance
on how to sort through and respond to what has happened. In our case, the chancellor led Niner Nation by making support for the victims and their families the top priority, showing his humanity to allow for grieving and healing, and maintaining transparent and timely communications. DUBOIS: I think our entire team figured out pretty quickly that we needed to stay focused on supporting the victims and remaining transparent in our communications. There was no escaping the plain fact that in the span of a few seconds our collective sense of safety and well-being had been destroyed. Our community expected us to deal with the harsh reality of the tragedy and not attempt to whitewash the fact that what we thought was improbable had happened. HARDIN: That requires a lot of stamina and mental and emotional agility, as well as the ability to move between strategic and tactical responses. BAILEY: In a situation like this, there are several indicators of leadership. First, the institution speaks with one voice and that is the chancellor’s. Then, trust the people
Kat Lawrence
“WE WERE SIMPLY STUNNED BY THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FROM THE GREATER COMMUNITY AND, INDEED, FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.” — C H AN C E L LO R P H I L I P L . D U BO I S
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whose specific expertise is needed, such as communications, counseling, student support. Next, focus on the task at hand without being swayed by media, politics or personal agendas. Finally, manage communication to the extent that is possible. So much will be reported about the institutional response to a tragedy; and social media takes on a life of its own. Making the media a partner allows them to work as part of the story rather than external to it. Chancellor Dubois has stated, “UNC Charlotte will not be defined by the events of April 30, but rather by our response.” In what ways has the University’s response reaffirmed—or redefined—its culture or values? SORENSEN: In many ways, I think, our response reflects Bonnie Cone’s founding vision of UNC Charlotte as a studentcentered campus, as we thought and continue to think about our response to the needs of our students as our first priority. So, the response, really, is a reaffirmation of the values and culture of UNC Charlotte. LORDEN: We certainly reaffirmed the fact that we are a community. We are here for our students, and value them and our community. The students showed that they understand this intuitively through the vigil they organized and the concern they expressed for each other. HUMPHREY: The way everyone rallied to share a helping hand or words of encouragement and support was incredible to see and experience. Students, employees, alumni, families and the entire Charlotte community all claimed UNC Charlotte as their own. If anything was redefined, it was the concept of what it means to be a Niner. Whether you work here, go to school here, graduated from here or simply are part of the region we serve, you’re a member of Niner Nation. During the incident and its aftermath, what has stood out about UNC Charlotte’s campus and extended communities? DUBOIS: I think all of us were simply stunned by the outpouring of support 8
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But nothing could have prepared me for the outpouring of support that the campus, mainly our students, received from alumni, the community, and our colleagues across the state and nation. It continues to contribute to the healing process on campus. Students return this fall knowing that Niner Nation stands beside them.
Kat Lawrence
“THERE EXISTS AN OVERWHELMING FEELING THAT WE ARE NOT IN THIS ALONE.” - KEVI N BAI L EY
from the greater community and, indeed, from across the country. Even today, it is impossible to describe the feeling of seeing Halton Arena at the vigil filled by the members of Niner Nation. BAILEY: Everywhere I go in the city people ask, “How is UNC Charlotte doing and is there anything I can do to help?” There exists an overwhelming feeling that we are not in this alone. HARDIN: The message we continue to hear from all corners of the state, region and country is, “We are all Niners.” We knew this before, but it has been reaffirmed in many ways since April 30. HUMPHREY: Though it wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who works here, I think it’s remarkable that there was little to no unconstructive criticism, no opportunism, and no conflict about who was doing what or how it was to get done. It has been a true team effort. SORENSEN: It’s my job to be aware of the community’s perception of UNC Charlotte.
BRADLEY: I am so proud of the unity, resilience and strength of Niner Nation as we came together to grieve Reed and Riley, and turn to one another for support and healing. The outpouring of support from the Charlotte community and beyond is a reminder of the goodness and love in people. Has this tragedy and the response changed how you approach your work or your priorities for the future? BRADLEY: The fact is that the unthinkable happened on and to our campus and we will forever be changed by it. Our immediate priority is to make sure that our students, faculty, and staff have the resources they need to heal, and rise and move forward. LORDEN: It is a reminder of the fragility of life. As campus resources surrounding counseling are added, we can help students maintain their mental health and acquire strategies for lifelong resilience. HUMPHREY: This event drove home a truth about UNC Charlotte’s mission: We are a service organization; we exist to empower our students and enrich the quality of life in our great state. The sadness and grief of that day provide a new perspective about the importance of how we treat one another. Since that day, I’ve tried to start my morning with a prayer that I focus my words and work on the people around me instead of myself. DUBOIS: The tragedy of April 30 will forever be a part of our history, and we need to both acknowledge that and remember the victims while moving our community forward together. We won’t go too far wrong if we listen to our hearts and trust our instincts. Susan Messina is director of news and information, University Communications.
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Wade Bruton
Chris Gonyar (standing, center) leads the Emergency Management team. On April 30 and the days following, EM coordinated the activities of the University’s police force and those of several local law enforcement agencies.
Partners in Preparedness: Emergency Management and Police and Public Safety BY PHILLIP BROWN
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lan, practice, prepare and respond— vital actions necessary before, during and after disaster strikes. UNC Charlotte’s Emergency Management Office leads campus efforts when normal operations are interrupted and immediate measures must be taken. Most often, disruptions are related to weather or the widespread loss of power. But on April 30, UNC Charlotte experienced perhaps the most unpredictable of scenarios, an active shooter in a classroom. 10 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine
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Unlike forces of nature, which typically allow lead time for planning and response, the chaos surrounding an active shooter requires immediate action and decisionmaking. Coordinating the University’s reaction required the precision of the professionals in Emergency Management (EM) and Police and Public Safety (PPS). “PPS officers ran toward the incident, but EM’s job is to focus on coordinating a number of related issues,” said Director of Emergency Management Chris Gonyar ’05, ’07 MPA. “Our office quickly established an Emergency
Operations Center to help coordinate resources and support for all the agencies involved and oversee campus-wide situational awareness, such as ongoing Niner Alerts and setting up a Family Assistance Center.” Prior to joining the University in 2014, Gonyar developed an expertise in emergency management in higher education as an emergency management consultant with Tetra Tech. He knows the importance of ensuring everyone is “rowing the boat in the same direction” during a crisis.
“PPS TRAINS CONSISTENTLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WITH REGARD TO EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS, FROM RAPID RESPONSE TO ACTIVE SHOOTERS.” -JEFF BA K E R, C H I E F O F TH E UN I V ER S I T Y ’S PO LI C E A ND P U B LI C SA F ET Y D EPA RT M ENT
“Multiple local and state agencies were on site to provide assistance, and a Unified Command was established to make decisions. The planning and training that have taken place during the past several years have led to positive relationships and a high level of trust required for operating in a concerted effort during an emergency,” he said. On April 30, Gonyar and his team coordinated the needs and activities of not only PPS but Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Charlotte Fire Department, CharlotteMecklenburg Emergency Management, MEDIC, Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, the state and UNC System Emergency Management Offices and a number of other regional agencies, all which responded in force.
Investing in campus safety
“Now, more than ever before, universities cannot simply talk about preparedness, they must actively dedicate time and resources to ensure their campuses are ready and able to respond to crises,” said Elizabeth A. Hardin, vice chancellor for Business Affairs. In her role, she provides leadership for the departments responsible for the safety and security of the University community. “Over the past 10 years, we have invested more than $72 million in technology, planning and training, and we will continue to invest in these areas; nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of our UNC Charlotte community.” According to Gonyar, the University, in the early 2000s, recognized the need for business continuity planning that, in an emergency, would maintain redundant systems, restore IT functions and ensure employees were able to return to their daily work tasks afterward. With campus security identified as a University priority, Chancellor Philip L. Dubois allocated state funding to add experienced personnel and state-of-the-art resources, conduct an increasing number of training exercises, implement a coordinated communications effort and purchase and install Lenel United Technology’s electronic locking system that secured all campus buildings at the press of a single button.
Kat Lawrence
Chief Jeff Baker leads UNC Charlotte’s Department of Police and Public Safety, a fully authorized state police agency. The department includes 48 full-time sworn officers, 10 full-time non-sworn officers and several who serve part-time.
Trained and committed to protect and serve
UNC Charlotte, operating as a city in a city, must provide 24/7, year-round safety and security measures, including a Police and Public Safety Department staffed with highly trained, law enforcement personnel. UNC Charlotte employs 48 sworn officers who have completed Basic Law Enforcement Training, many with 25-plus years of experience and advanced education and training. During all emergency situations, PPS works closely with Emergency Management. “PPS trains consistently throughout the year with regard to extraordinary events, from
rapid response to active shooters,” said Jeff Baker, chief of the University’s Police and Public Safety Department. “The training is exhaustive and designed to present officers with conditions that are conducive with real life. On April 30, our training proved to be valuable as our responding officers arrived on the scene in approximately two minutes. “I commend the efforts of our entire PPS team who performed exceptionally during an extremely stressful situation,” Baker added. “Sgt. Rick Gundacker was watch commander for our uniform patrol on that day and the first officer on the scene, taking the suspect into custody.” Summer 2019
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PPS officers are deployed throughout campus every day with uniformed motor officers responding to calls for service through the emergency dispatch center. Police community coordinators educate the University community on crime prevention and active shooter response training (ALICE) and provide outreach to students and employees on how to be safe on and off campus. PPS detectives, who work in plain clothes, investigate crimes that occur on campus and also assist with educational outreach.
EM on the front line
“The 2007 shootings at Virginia Tech definitely influenced how most campuses now operate,” said Gonyar. This includes UNC Charlotte, which transformed its approach with the addition of a dedicated Emergency Management Office with a full-time staff of four and funding for student employees. Kevin Martin ’98, emergency preparedness coordinator, is responsible for preparing and planning for issues related to an emergency such as the establishment of Family Assistance Center. Shawn Kiley ’13 MPA, who serves as the business continuity analyst, coordinates maintaining campus operations during an emergency and the recovery afterward. Tiffani Bowser, the most recent hire, is the emergency training and exercise coordinator; she will develop a three-year plan for emergency training exercises. “Emergency Management and Police and Public Safety have very different roles in a crisis, but are equally important to the University’s ability to respond and recover,” said John Bogdan, associate vice chancellor for Safety and Security. “Our commitment to planning, training and education will continue to ensure UNC Charlotte remains a safe place for our colleagues to work and our students to learn.”
Phillip Brown is assistant director of internal communications, University Communications. 12 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine
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Kat Lawrence
From left to right: Detective Danielle Albano, Sgt. Stephen Westphal, Officer Xavier Cullars, Sgt. Alan Wilson and Officer David Quackenbush.
Committed to Campus Safety Maintaining a safe environment is—and always has been—UNC Charlotte’s priority. It is the reason for employing a fully-sworn police force that patrols campus 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. To augment the University’s established safety and security policies, several new safety-related actions will begin this fall. Among them are:
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I ncreased Police Presence — As students and faculty return for the start of the academic
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C ommunity Active Assailant Response Training — To supplement ALICE (active shooter) training sessions already available, Safety and Security will offer large-scale active assailant response training for the campus community. The training is designed to empower faculty, staff and students to develop a proactive approach to surviving an intruder situation while awaiting the arrival of law enforcement.
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S upporting Those Who Support Our Students — Safety and Security has partnered
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E nhanced Security for Large Events — Attendees of large events such as football games, commencement and similar gatherings will experience enhanced security. This includes, as determined appropriate, the use of metal detectors, stricter bag policies and increased police presence.
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C lassroom Safety Information — Safety information will be posted in classrooms on UNC Charlotte campuses. The posters, which will be installed throughout the semester, will provide the classroom number, emergency contact information, and what to do for the primary action directives given in a NinerAlert: lockdown, shelter in place and evacuation.
year, they will notice an increased uniformed presence of UNC Charlotte’s police department. Officers will patrol campus on foot, on department bicycles and in police vehicles.
with the Christine F. Price Center for Counseling and Psychological Services and the Dean of Students Office to offer training for faculty and staff on how they can best support students. Workshops will help participants identify students in need of support, understand available campus resources, facilitate conversations about the campus shooting and build a community of care in the classroom.
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Alumni in law enforcement join forces for Niner Nation BY JENNIFER HOWE
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err Putney ’92, chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), played a visible and integral role in guiding and supporting the University during and after the events of April 30. While addressing the media at a press conference on May 1, he didn’t hesitate to tell the crowd of reporters and others present that he is a proud UNC Charlotte alumnus. Putney, who earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology from UNC Charlotte, is one of several alumni who rushed to provide aid, guidance and comfort to their alma mater. Called to careers in public service from a desire to help others, Sarah Smyre, Melissa Treadaway and Hannah Sanborn made a difference to the people on their campus that evening.
Sarah Smyre ’04 ’07 MPA
Lt. Sarah Smyre, a native Charlottean and seven and a half-year veteran of the UNC Charlotte Police and Public Safety Department (PPS), loves the University she has known since riding her bike regularly across campus as a kid—and today on its greenways. After graduating early from high school, she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in public administration from the University, and returned—this time as an employee—upon completing a law degree at Elon University. The contacts she made through the public administration program, coupled with her knowledge of the campus, helped her acclimate quickly to her role with PPS. “I came back to UNC Charlotte because it is a great environment,” said Smyre. “It is a progressive community and one that is truly collaborative and unique.” She experienced that sense of community on April 30 when the unthinkable happened on campus. The second officer to arrive at the Kennedy Building, Smyre assisted her colleague, Sgt. Richard Gundacker, at the site of the attack before spending the duration of the night working alongside CMPD at the mobile command center. In the days following, Smyre coordinated the staffing of 14 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine
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her fellow officers, making sure they were cared for and received counseling services. “Our police team is a small community, and we look out for each other,” she said.
Melissa Treadaway ’93
Melissa Treadaway is the public affairs coordinator for CMPD. As a communications leader, she advises the department’s leadership in regard to communications strategy, shares its story and keeps the community informed while protecting the integrity of the department’s work. On April 30, Treadaway was on call and rushed to campus when police received the first 911 calls. She stayed through the night, working with the media and coordinating with UNC Charlotte’s media relations team to share up-to-the-minute information about news being released to the public. “The evening felt surreal to me, mostly because it was personal,” said Treadaway. “Not only were we talking about buildings that have always felt like home to me, but I also know a lot of students who were on campus that day.” Treadaway credits the University’s communications faculty, and especially the
Lt. Sarah Smyre, a double UNC Charlotte alumna, was on duty and the second officer to arrive at the scene on April 30.
mass media courses she took, with preparing her for the career she loves. “I learned in my classes to be comfortable talking with anyone, whether a government official or a member of the community,” she said. “It certainly has helped me in my career. When my phone rings, it might be anyone from the mayor to a suspect in a recent crime. Regardless, I am prepared for the conversation.”
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Hannah Sanborn ’14 MPA
As the emergency management planner and public educator for the CharlotteMecklenburg Emergency Management Office, Hannah Sanborn is tasked with all hazards planning, response, recovery and mitigation efforts. She also coordinates community-based emergency preparedness instruction for area residents and businesses. Sanborn was immediately drawn to the emergency management field after enrolling in UNC Charlotte’s Master of Public
Administration program; it prepared her to work and help the public while applying her planning skills. As a student, she served as a graduate assistant in the University’s Emergency Management Office. The combination of education and experience set her up for her current position and her role on April 30. That night, Sanborn helped facilitate the flow of information as a liaison between UNC Charlotte’s Emergency Operations Center and first-responders. She and her team were in place within an hour of the
incident and worked collaboratively with the University’s communications team as well as public information officers from the Charlotte Fire Department and CMPD. “Through my experience with the Office of Emergency Management, I knew the staff and was familiar with their plans,” she said. “Those partnerships proved invaluable given the incident’s immediacy and severity.” Jennifer Howe is director of Advancement communications, University Communications. Summer 2019
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Allie Kuenzi
Niners Helping Niners BY JONNELLE DAVIS
In the midst of the chaos on the evening of April 30—as people who were not locked down in buildings scattered throughout campus seeking safe places to run or hide—there emerged members of the UNC Charlotte community who made in-the-moment decisions to help others. Many more people than are known surely performed similar acts of kindness for their fellow Niners; the stories of just a few whose actions made a difference are shared here.
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Sgt. Rick Gundacker and ROTC Cadet Eric Dippold worked side-by-side at the site of the shooting. For their selfless and heroic actions, PPS presented Gundacker with its highest honor, the Medal of Valor, and Dippold with a certificate of appreciation.
On April 30, Eric Dippold was planning to celebrate the end of the semester at a concert with friends. Instead, he spent the evening working alongside campus police.
‘I wish I could have done more’ A
s everyone ran from danger on April 30, Eric Dippold ran toward it. Like many students that day, Dippold planned to attend rapper Waka Flocka Flame’s scheduled concert on campus. But first, he wanted to meet up with friends. As he neared the Colvard Building, Dippold heard someone yell that there was a shooting in Kennedy. He initially thought it was a “messed up joke,” until he saw people running.
So Dippold, a cadet in the UNC Charlotte Army ROTC, snapped into soldier mode. He ran toward Kennedy Building, stopping at one point to remove the headphones of a student who was standing at the fountain near the building, to tell her to leave the area. Then, not knowing exactly what he would encounter, he picked up a rock and entered Kennedy.
He was familiar with the classroom; his ROTC training had been there. UNC Charlotte Police Sgt. Rick Gundacker, the first officer to respond to the shooting, was already at the scene. Standing in the doorway with his hands in the air to indicate he intended no harm, Dippold identified himself as an ROTC cadet. With permission to enter the room, he helped Gundacker, a retired New York City Police Department detective, detain the suspect. Then, while waiting for other first responders to arrive, he helped administer medical aid to the victims. One student, Drew Pescaro, was conscious. “I took off my shirt and, eventually, my pants so we could use them to apply pressure to Drew’s bullet wound,” Dippold recalled. “We checked his body for other wounds. I was shaking him awake because he was slipping in and out of consciousness.” Dippold, who has aspired to join the military since he was a child, was not afraid that day. “How can I call myself a soldier, cadet or officer if I’m not willing to lay my life down for others?,” he asked. “Don’t get me wrong; when I was in the room, I was afraid we would lose the people we were trying to give medical attention to. I’m glad they’re recovering.” Dippold, a UNC Charlotte junior who is studying for degrees in psychology and history, is uncomfortable when people call him a hero. “Riley’s a hero,” he said, referring to one of the victims whose selfless actions spared the lives of others. “And so is Gundacker,” he said. As is the case for many in the UNC Charlotte community, the events of April 30 changed Dippold. While always serious about his future in the military, he knows now that he’s “100 percent more motivated.” Despite the assistance he provided to UNC Charlotte’s Police and Public Safety team, Dippold says he’d feel more satisfied if he’d been able to make a greater impact. “I’m heartbroken over the families that lost their sons,” he said. “I truly wish I could have done more.” Summer 2019
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Laura McShane led several students to safety and waited with them until given an all-clear by police officers.
Laura McShane ‘04 was a library instruction associate at UNC Charlotte on April 30 who hid seven students inside her office in Atkins Library. Inside that safe space, McShane calmed and comforted the students, called 911, fed them snacks and remained with them until police arrived to escort them out of the building.
‘I just had a room’ I
t was a busy day for Laura McShane. Working late, she was listening to music through her headphones. At 5:41 p.m. she heard noise in the hallway behind her. “My initial thought was, ‘Oh, students are unwinding and having fun because they’re so 18 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine
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excited that classes are ending.’” As a librarian, McShane started into the hall to ask them to be quiet. “And then one student said, ‘There’s a shooter,’” she recalled. The look of fear on the student’s face told McShane it was true. Not
knowing the shooter’s location, she ushered the students into her office tucked in the back of Atkins Library’s first floor, and closed the door, which locks automatically. “I just had a room; it’s the least anyone would have done in a situation like that,” she said. “We took a long table and barricaded the door, and we turned out the lights,” McShane said. “And then I told them to get under the desks, as I went to the quietest corner of the room and called 911.” During the next eight minutes, everyone texted family and friends to let them know they were safe. As they awaited news about what was happening, McShane gave one student a water bottle and searched for snacks for the others—anything to take their minds off what was going on around them. Relief set in once news of the suspect’s capture was reported, but that emotion was soon overshadowed by grief. “The most horrible part was the news that students had died,” McShane said. “It was devastating to be with students when they learned that some of their peers were dead and others were injured, but they didn’t know who.” Police arrived, yet students were hesitant to exit the room, reasoning anyone could say they were a police officer. McShane called 911 again to let them know she and the students were still locked inside her office. She was told not to leave the room just yet. When the 911 operator called McShane back to tell her they could exit the room, she had one request. “I said, ‘Can I put you on speaker? I want you to tell my students this.’ I wanted the students to hear it themselves because I didn’t want them walking out of that room feeling unsafe. I wanted them to feel as safe as they could.” A UNC Charlotte alum who is enrolled in a master’s program, McShane has been excited about new doors opening for her. “This experience has prompted me to think that maybe I need to focus more on doors I’m opening for other people,” she said. “Because whether it’s a metaphorical door or a physical door, there was a door I was able to open for students that day.”
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Cathy Blat (center) and colleagues Rasheda Sykes and John Sugg, all who participated in an active shooter training workshop on campus, applied the best-practice steps they learned to maximize their safety and that of others.
Cathy Blat was in her office on April 30 when a frightened student ran in and hid under her desk. Blat used her active shooter trainer experience to help the student and others.
‘I was grateful to have taken the training.’ I
n 2015, Cathy Blat, along with several colleagues from the University Center for Academic Excellence (UCAE), took active shooter training. At the time, she thought she’d never have to use it. But on April 30, Blat, then director of the UCAE, went into training mode. After a student who had been inside the Kennedy Building classroom when the shooting started rushed into her office in tears, Blat picked up the telephone to alert campus police. Blat tried to calm the student, who had taken refuge under her desk. But she knew
they could not stay there because Blat’s office was encased by glass walls. “At active shooter training, they told us to try to find a room without windows,” she said. “I was thankful that we had done the training so we knew what to do.” After completing active shooter training, Blat and her colleagues had determined the rooms in the Colvard Building that would serve as effective hiding places. She guided the student to a windowless room on the same floor. Rasheda Sykes, associate director for learning strategies and instruction, also had
participated in the training; she helped direct a group of students studying in the Center to the designated safe room. Howard Simms, director of the University Transfer Center, barricaded the door with a table. Using the LiveSafe app, Blat texted their location to Emergency Management. And with the lights out, Blat sat on the floor in the back of the room and held the distraught student’s hand. The following week, Blat contacted the student by email to see how she was doing. As for herself, Blat appreciates that she and her UCAE colleagues undertook the active shooting training offered by the University “It’s kind of surreal,” said Blat, who is now associate dean for student experience for the William States Lee College of Engineering. “You just don’t think it could really happen.” But it did. And because of the training, Blat knew what to do. “I know I felt prepared; I was grateful to have taken the training,” she said. Jonnelle Davis is coordinator for Advancement communications, University Communications. Summer 2019
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Strength in numbers In the hours, days and weeks after April 30, UNC Charlotte’s social media accounts were blanketed with messages of support for—and solidarity with— Niner Nation. These 49 images, selected from the thousands shared, signify the common bond that exists across our communities near and far. They have served as a source of strength and a fortifying reminder that, indeed, we all are Niners.
These 49 images were selected from the thousands shared across social media in the days following the tragic events of April 30. They represent the outpouring of support and love UNC Charlotte received from our surrounding communities and beyond.
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Photos Shared By: Abena Atiemo, Bank of America, Ben Rogers, Brandon Barber, Brighton McConnell, Brookelyn Riley Photo, Cam Coolidge, Chandler Crean, Charlotte Athletics, Charlotte Knights, Charlotte Moon, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Checkers Hockey, Christine Baulieu, Eugene Aldridge, Federal Aviation Administration, Garrett White, Garrick McFadden, Governor Roy Cooper, Gwendolyn Henshaw, Jon Middleton, Kimberly Wolven Smith, Niner Careers, North Carolina A&T State University, Photos Shared By: Abena Atiemo, Bank of America, Ben Rogers, Brandon Barber, Brighton McConnell, Brookelyn Riley Photo, Cam Coolidge, Chandler Crean, Charlotte Athletics, Charlotte Knights, Charlotte Moon, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Checkers Hockey, Christine Baulieu, Eugene Aldridge, Federal Aviation Administration, Garrett White, Garrick McFadden, Governor Roy Cooper, Gwendolyn Henshaw, Jon Middleton, Kimberly Wolven Smith, Niner Careers,
North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina State University, PGA Tour, Pooja Pasupula, Queens University of Charlotte, Rachel Pierson-Bonin, Roberto Urtecho, Team Hendrick, UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, UNC Wilmington, UNC Greensboro Housing & Residence Life, UNC-Chapel Hill, Western Carolina University, @Arcadia_UNCC, @BurningFocusPhotography, @DavidsonOutdoors, @Dylan_Fitzgerald22, @KSousaP, @LindseyTPhoto, @talkingtinaa, @UNCC_Lead
North Carolina State University, PGA Tour, Pooja Pasupula, Queens University of Charlotte, Rachel Pierson-Bonin, Roberto Urtecho, Team Hendrick, UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, UNC Wilmington, UNC Greensboro Housing & Residence Life, UNC-Chapel Hill, Western Carolina University, @Arcadia_UNCC, @BurningFocusPhotography, @DavidsonOutdoors, @Dylan_Fitzgerald22, @KSousaP, @LindseyTPhoto, @talkingtinaa, @UNCC_Lead
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Archivist Katie Howell and her colleagues are preserving both physical items and digital expressions of grief shared by UNC Charlotte’s community.
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Archiving a Tragedy BY PAUL NOWELL
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hortly after April 30, it quickly became the mission of University archivists to preserve the fragile notes, posters, cards, flowers, candles and other items that grief-stricken students and University supporters had placed at makeshift memorials around campus—especially because rain was forecast for the early days of May. Especially significant was a fast-growing tribute on the front steps of the Kennedy Building, the site of the shooting that marked the last day of classes for the academic year, and where two students died and four others were injured. The archiving continues at J. Murrey Atkins Library and has expanded to include digital communications. The emails, texts, photos, hashtags and other social media posts that fall into this category are described by UNC Charlotte Archivist Katie Howell as “passing communications,” or those that might disappear quickly. “This is critical for our institutional memory; the idea is to commemorate and remember,” said Howell. “Our role is to do just that, even if it means we are taking in more materials than originally anticipated.”
The scope of the archiving project will likely continue to expand, with plans already in motion to record the oral accounts of individuals who were directly or indirectly affected. Dawn Schmitz, associate dean for Special Collections and University Archives, said the project serves a valuable function for members of the entire campus community to express their feelings. “It’s important for the University to preserve a record of what happened here on April 30 and the campus’s response,” she said. “The items left at the memorial sites serve as an account of the outpouring of mutual support that was felt everywhere on campus, particularly among students.” Another function of the archivists’ work is to create for posterity a record of the event and its aftermath. “Current and future students will be interested in these items, because they offer a way to learn more about how the campus, and students in particular, responded,” Schmitz said. The team has reached out to universities that have faced similar projects, including Virginia Tech, for the purpose of learning from their
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experiences. In 2007, a student killed 32 people on the Blacksburg, Virginia, campus before dying by suicide. “We learned from the archivist at Virginia Tech that 12 years later, she is still working on an oral history project related to the shooting there,” Schmitz said. Documenting digital records such as texts and social media posts is something new for these professionals. “Recording digitally is still considered new work in the archival field,” said Howell. “Because of the fragile nature of the digital items, we’re capturing them as quickly as possible.” To gather this important material, the team created an online form for students and others to submit photos, videos, first-hand accounts, artwork and correspondence related to the event. “To date, we’ve preserved over 18 gigabytes of web-based content, and approximately eight gigabytes of content donated by individuals, most of which came in during the first few weeks,” said Tyler Cline, digital archivist. While it hasn’t been decided whether to create a permanent exhibit of memorial items cataloged by the Atkins team, archived items are available for viewing without appointment in the library’s Dalton Reading room when Special Collections and University Archives is open. Decisions beyond the items’ current status will be made by the Niner Nation Remembrance Commission, formed by Chancellor Philip L. Dubois, and chaired by Emily Zimmern, former president and chief executive officer of the Levine Museum of the New South. The commission, on which Howell serves, is leading the process to determine how to memorialize the victims and remember the tragedy. “We hope we can provide some comfort by showing how we all came together, how we helped each other heal and supported this University,” said Howell. “We hope it is evident in the work we are collecting.” Paul Nowell is communications manager, University Communications. 24 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine
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Messages of hope and healing In May, the Botanical Gardens offered visitors the opportunity to discover its location as a place of refuge and contemplation as well as one of joy and beauty. Using river stones as individual canvases, community members embellished them with messages of hope and healing after the violence of April 30, and chose where in the Gardens to place them. A complete photo gallery and explanation of the project appears on Exchange, the magazine of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, exchange.uncc.edu. Lynn Roberson, writer and photographer.
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Blank Canvas The Healing Power of Art BY JARED MOON
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F
or Sara Simmons ’15 MPA, the annual Spotlight Art Exhibition provides the perfect opportunity to showcase her art and have some fun. But it’s the interaction with fellow alumni artists that keeps her coming back each year. “The Spotlight Art Exhibition is such a pleasurable experience,” said Simmons, who currently serves as assistant director of donor relations for UNC Charlotte. “I love meeting
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fellow alumni artists who are creating art in the community.” The exhibition, hosted every spring by the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association, was created to showcase various forms of artwork from talented alumni and students. The 2019 Spotlight Art Exhibition, held at C3 Lab in South End, took on added meaning given the tragic events of April 30. “We knew we had to consider how the Charlotte community and our alumni were feeling just a month after the shooting,” said Amy Jolly, assistant director of Alumni Affairs. “For some, art provides a way to heal. So, we decided to find a way to process together by
letting the artists and visitors to the exhibition create their own artistic expressions as we began to heal as a community.” It’s common for individuals dealing with trauma to struggle to articulate their feelings or truly convey their emotions stemming from their experience. However, there are benefits in expressing one’s feelings about traumatic situations soon after it occurs. “Traumatic events disrupt our understanding of the world. It can be very isolating,” said Susan Furr, a professor in the Department of Counseling at UNC Charlotte. “Individuals tend to hesitate to share with others for fear of being misunderstood or judged. So,
it’s important to find a safe venue to express yourself to allow individuals to grow from their experiences.” For Simmons and the other alumni artists, the 2019 Exhibition provided that safe venue allowing for the healing power of art to be on full display. “It was a special experience to see the artist community come together and to unite alongside one another, and be a part of something for Niner Nation.” said Simmons. “The sense of community and camaraderie was more important than ever.” Jared Moon is feature projects manager, University Communications.
Many participants in and visitors to the 2019 Spotlight Art Exhibition created art projects on site that were designed to begin a healing process.
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Kat Lawrence
At SOAR orientation sessions, first-year students and those transferring to UNC Charlotte get ready to begin their experience as lifelong Niners.
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SOAR: Bonded for Life BY JARED MOON
“We want new Niners and their families to be fully connected to the campus community,” said Emily Wheeler, director of New Student and Family Services at UNC Charlotte. “Making our new students feel welcome allows that to happen as they become part of Niner Nation.” The Student Orientation, Advising and
Registration (SOAR) Program, offered every summer for incoming first-year and transfer students, is designed to help new students and their families transition successfully to UNC Charlotte. This summer’s SOAR experience included discussion of a topic unique to the students arriving in August. Although they did not experience the loss of friends and classmates last semester as is
the case for many returning students, they will be part of the healing process related to April 30 that will forever bond them to UNC Charlotte. “At each SOAR session we assured students that as they begin the journey of navigating college, we will continue to rise together and meet the challenges and opportunities ahead,” Wheeler said.
SOAR Expressions of Niner Pride Demetria Percival
Niti Panchall
Junior, Political Science and Africana Studies Goldsboro, North Carolina
International Studies Cary, North Carolina
“My experiences at UNC Charlotte and working as a SOAR orientation counselor allow me to meet people from different parts of the state, country and world. I’m constantly reminded of the world outside of Charlotte, and it helps to put my view into perspective. I love helping the newest members of Niner Nation!”
Carson Morris Sophomore, Mechanical Engineering Charlotte, North Carolina
“I’m most excited about transferring to UNC Charlotte because of the community. I came from a college that didn’t have much of a community, and I feel like that’s a large part of the college experience. The people you surround yourself with and the resources available to you are important to the university experience, and for me, that’s what college is about.”
“I’m excited to be a Niner! For me, starting college feels like the next step toward achieving my dreams. I plan to go into international diplomacy or international politics and law. I’m excited to meet new people, explore campus and see what student life is like.”
Viki Hojnacki Harrisburg North Carolina “We’re fortunate to have UNC Charlotte in our area, which allows my daughter to get a great education at a local university. The campus is beautiful, and SOAR is wonderfully organized. I knew exactly what to expect. I’m looking forward to all the opportunities my daughter will have at this institution.” Jared Moon is feature projects manager, University Communications.
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Prioritizing counseling services in the new academic year BY WILLS CITTY
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he first days of the 2019 fall semester bring with them new faces and fresh optimism for the year ahead but also reminders of the lingering effects of the events of April 30. During this time, the University’s robust mental health resources are especially important. In the two weeks following the campus shooting at UNC Charlotte and leading up to commencement, The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) saw nearly 500 students, around twice as many as is standard for that time of year. While the number of appointments has since returned to typical levels, CAPS is preparing for an increase in students seeking services as they return to campus and developing a variety of resources for those seeking support. “We are not a mental health clinic that happens to be on a college campus; we’re part of the academic community contributing to the larger campus mission,” said David Spano, associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs and CAPS director. “Our number one goal is to help students succeed here, and we know that students who feel mentally and physically engaged and stay connected have a better chance of success.” 30 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine
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Housed in the state-of-the-art Christine F. Price Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, CAPS employs psychologists and social workers and is supported by mental health professionals in training. In addition to traditional individual and group counseling appointments, CAPS is developing a series of workshops this year for students grappling with April 30. CAPS also is working with the UNC Charlotte Office of Emergency Management and the Dean of Students Office to host workshops for faculty and staff focused on how to appropriately engage classes about
the event and assist any struggling students. “Students who witnessed the shooting or its aftermath as well as students with prior trauma histories who were triggered by the shooting may be particularly vulnerable,” Spano said. “We are committed to offering experiences to help those students get back on track as they re-enter the University environment this fall.” UNC Charlotte is grateful for the outpouring of support from the community, including recent contributions that assure CAPS’s ability to meet an anticipated 20 percent increase in the demand for counseling
among students for the upcoming academic year. The Riley Howell Foundation Fund (rileyhowellfoundation.org) has given a $3,000 gift that will support grief counseling services on campus.The fund was established by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina to honor Riley Howell, who lost his life on April 30, and will provide financial support to organizations that serve victims and families affected by similar tragedies. In addition, the SunTrust Foundation (suntrust.com) has provided $100,000 to support the hiring of a full-time psychologist for the next year, making it possible for more students to receive mental health services without extended wait times, particularly for follow up visits. “Survivors of traumatic experiences sometimes discover months afterward that they are in need of counseling, which might be the case for many students who are returning to campus for the first time since April 30,” said Beth Crigler, associate vice chancellor for University Development. “The generosity of The Riley Howell Foundation and the SunTrust Foundation offers a sense of relief and confidence among UNC Charlotte’s administration that students will have
access to the services they need to succeed academically and emotionally.” For faculty and staff, the University has partnered with ComPsych GuidanceResources Worldwide to provide Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits. By working with ComPsych, the University is able to provide counseling and online resources to help employees and their families when they need it the most. While many may look to family or friends for support during difficult times, counseling offers a safe outlet for professional guidance when needed. “Counseling provides an empathic space for us to share how our views have changed and find how we can establish a new way of viewing the world that will let us grow from our losses,” said Susan Furr, a professor in the Department of Counseling. As the UNC Charlotte community joins together to recover from the deep losses of last spring, its mental health professionals will be there as a trusted resource to help Niner Nation continue to heal. Wills Citty is director of communications, College of Health and Human Services.
The psychology behind posttraumatic growth Researchers Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun spent their academic careers delving into poignant, and often heartbreaking, stories from individuals who reached down into their psychological personas and emerged as a changed person. The retired UNC Charlotte psychology professors watched over the years as their conclusions about posttraumatic growth, which were initially greeted with skepticism, are now generally accepted. In fact, it was Tedeschi and Calhoun who created the term “posttraumatic growth” to describe what they have observed and documented—that after undergoing a trauma episode, some people experience growth and change in new ways. Their work demonstrates that the aftermath of trauma can be the most important factor in what the person experiences. As Calhoun describes, for many people who experience posttraumatic growth, positive change includes a deep recognition of just how fragile they really are. “People say, ‘I am more vulnerable than I thought and stronger than I ever imagined,’” he said. “There is an awareness that bad things can happen to good people.” Both practicing clinicians,Tedeschi and Calhoun have published widely on the topic and their work has been cited around the world in academic publications, newspapers and magazines. They continue to find new avenues of research, gain new collaborators, mentor new students and influence other researchers and authors of popular books.
Counseling services for students, faculty and staff are a phone call away For Students: Center for Counseling and Psychological Services Hours: Monday - Friday | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact: 704-687-0311 Services include: • Short-term, in-person individual and group counseling for students T • elephone counseling (available after hours) • Crisis management • Consultation and referral services
For Faculty and Staff: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Contact: 1-877-603-8259 for counseling assistance Additional info: Cindy Edwards | ckedward@uncc.edu | 704-687-0658 Mental health services: Confidential Counseling - Eligible employees and their families can receive confidential counseling with highly trained master’s and doctoral level clinicians 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The EAP offers up to five in-person counseling sessions per issue at no cost. GuidanceResources Online guidanceresources.com provides information on a variety of different issues (relationships, work, children, wellness, legal, financial and more).
Compiled from “Research Illuminates How Trauma Can Lead to Growth,” published originally in Exchange Online. For the complete story, visit exchange.uncc.edu; search: trauma
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“BEING PART OF NINER NATION MEANS EXCITEMENT FOR THE FUTURE, SHARING OUR BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS AND MAKING SURE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE KNOW ABOUT THE 49ERS. IT MEANS UNITY IN VICTORY OR DEFEAT, AND NEVER TAKING A SHORTCUT TO EXCELLENCE. IT’S PRIDE, IT’S CONTAGIOUS—AND HERE TO STAY!” —W IL L H E ALY, H E AD FO OT BAL L COAC H
FALL 2019
Niner Nation Events Fall is a great time to join your fellow 49ers for football, away-game road trips, Homecoming, fine arts, guest speakers, campus events and more. Invite friends, neighbors and family members to visit campus: We are ALL Niners!
49ers Football 2019 Home Games and Tailgate Village Starting 2 1/2 hours before every home game, join the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association at Alumni Tailgate Village, Hauser Alumni Pavilion (single-game tickets: 49eralumni.uncc.edu/tailgate19). Avoid traffic; ride CATS Blue Line to campus (lightrail.uncc.edu) and Niner Transit’s Football Shuttle to Jerry Richardson Stadium (pats.uncc. edu/football-shuttle). For ticket and other information about 49ers Football, visit charlotte49ers.com.
Thursday, Aug. 29 - Home Opener v. Gardner Webb 7:30 p.m. Kickoff Saturday, Sept. 14 – v. UMass 7:30 p.m. Kickoff Saturday, Sept. 28 – v. Florida Atlantic 3:30 p.m. Kickoff – Homecoming Game Saturday, Oct. 26 – v. North Texas 3:30 p.m. Kickoff Saturday, Nov. 2 – v. Middle Tennessee 3:30 p.m. Kickoff Saturday, Nov. 23 – v. Marshall 3:30 p.m. Kickoff Away Games: 49ers on the Road This fall, take a road trip or two for 49ers football with the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association and the 49er Athletic Foundation to Appalachian State (9/7) and Clemson University (9/21). Purchase tickets for round-trip bus ride, tailgate (food and beverages), and stadium entrance. Each trip limited to 50 people. To participate, visit 49eralumni.uncc.edu or contact Ellie Holesa, eholesa@uncc.edu, 704-687-7797.
32 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine
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Summer 2019
Michael Strauss
Calendar Niner Nation Events • Fall • 2019
August
October
30 Men’s Soccer Season Opener v. Gardner-Webb 7 p.m., Transamerica Field (charlotte49ers.com) 30-31 Volleyball Charlotte Invitational Halton Arena (charlotte49ers.com)
3-5 UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens Fall Plant Sale 10/3 - Members preview, noon to 5 p.m.; 10/4-5 - Open to the public, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (gardens.uncc.edu) 4 Volleyball C-USA Home Opener v. Marshall 6 p.m., Halton Arena (charlotte49ers.com) 5 Charlotte Kids Fest 11 a.m. to 4p.m., CRI Campus at UNC Charlotte, Free entry. Families enjoy artistic, creative, educational, hands-on, outdoor experiences. Entry is free; performers and food trucks will be on site. (charlottekidsfest.org) 10 Burnt Generation: Contemporary Iranian Photography Projective Eye Gallery, UNC Charlotte Center City. This free-to-the-public group exhibition, whose title represents the name given to Iranians born between 1963 and 1980, explores the legacy of political upheaval through photographic storytelling, through Dec. 10. 11 Women’s Soccer C-USA Home Opener v. Southern Miss 7 p.m., Transamerica Field (charlotte49ers.com) 15 Ninth Annual Chancellor Speakers Series: An Afternoon with Henry Louis Gates 3:30 p.m., Cone University Center, McKnight Hall (Reservations required: universityevents.uncc.edu/afternoon) 31 “Everybody” Student-actors from the Department of Theatre perform a modern take on a 15th-century morality play, a finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, through Nov. 3. 7:30 p.m., Black Box Theater, Robinson Hall (arts.uncc.edu)
September 1 Women’s Soccer Home Opener v. Wake Forest 6 p.m., Transamerica Field (charlotte49ers.com) 6-7 Faculty Dance Concert Contemporary dance performances by Department of Dance faculty and guest artists from the American Ballet Theatre, Martha Graham Dance Company, Jose Limon Dance Company and more. 7:30 p.m., Belk Theater, Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts (arts.uncc.edu). 15 Men’s Soccer C-USA Opener v. Kentucky 3 p.m., Transamerica Field (charlotte49ers.com) 16 Faculty & Friends Concert, David Russell, violin David Russell, Anne R. Belk Distinguished Professor of Violin, and guests. 7:30 p.m., Belk Theater, Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts (arts.uncc.edu) 18 Giving Green Share time and talent with the greater Charlotte community (givinggreen.uncc.edu). 18-20 #NinerNationGives Join us for the 49 hours of online giving to support UNC Charlotte. (ninernationgives.edu). 21 44th Annual International Festival Experience through music, dance and food (for sale) more than 50 world cultures at this family friendly, indoor-outdoor event on UNC Charlotte’s main campus from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entry and parking are free. (ifest.uncc.edu) 22-29 Homecoming Week Return to Niner Nation for a fun-filled week that includes 10 Under Ten Awards, Excellence in Leadership Awards, Personally Speaking Series, Stroll Competition, Homecoming Block Party, Friday Fest, Alumni Tailgate and Oktoberfest, Football Game and Homecoming Brunch. (Information and event registration: homecoming.uncc.edu) 24 Personally Speaking Series: The Eternal Presence of Sport: Rethinking Sport and Religion, Daniel Grano, professor, Communication Studies. 6:30 p.m., reception; 7 p.m., program, UNC Charlotte Center City (clas.uncc.edu/engagement/personally-speaking)
November 5 Women’s Basketball Season Opener v. Gardner-Webb Halton Arena (charlotte49ers.com) 12 Men’s Basketball Home Opener v. Davidson Halton Arena (charlotte49ers.com) 12 Personally Speaking Series: The Surprising Science of Meetings: Lead Your Team to Peak Performance Steven Rogelberg, Chancellor’s Professor and professor of Management. 6:30 p.m., reception; 7 p.m., program and book signing; UNC Charlotte Center City (clas.uncc.edu/engagement/personally-speaking)
December 13-14 Fall Commencement Halton Arena (commencement.uncc.edu)
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Charlotte, NC Permit No. 949
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte 9201 University Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28223-0001
To learn more about the victims of April 30 and UNC Charlotte’s response— as well as share a message of support, visit: ninernationremembers.uncc.edu.
