This exhibit features images about the history of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte when it was Charlotte College before joining the UNC System. All materials shown here are from the Charlotte College Photographs Collection (1950-1970) held by J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections and Archives at UNC- Charlotte.
UNC-Charlotte Founder, Bonnie Ethel Cone
In 1946, the Charlotte Center of the University of North Carolina was opened to educate veterans returning home from World War II. 3 years later, the Charlotte Center would became Charlotte College, a two year junior college. Miss Bonnie Ethel Cone served as the founder and director of Charlotte Center and then became president of Charlotte College.
Aerial Photographs of Charlotte College
Aerial images taken of the first two buildings on what the 250 acres land that would later become Charlotte College.
Bonnie Cone in front of what would become J. Murrey Atkins Library
After Charlotte College became a 4-year, state-supported school, the library was built in the center of campus to service it's students. In April 1964, the Charlotte College Board of Trustees named the library in honor of J. Murrey Atkins, the first board chairman who had died the year before.
1965 Class registration at Charlotte College
In 1964, the North Carolina legislature approved bills making Charlotte College a four year, state- supported college. The following year, Charlotte College was renamed to University of North Carolina at Charlotte and added to the statewide university system.
Arboretum dedication
Bonnie Cone and Dr. Herbert Hechenbleikner plant first botanical specimen during Arboretum Dedication March 31, 1963. The arboretum would inspire the creation of a botanical gardens, which still exists today.
Charlotte College basketball team wins 1964-1965 Dixie Conference Tournament
Charlotte College was one of the six charter members of the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference that was founded in 1963. The Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was a part of the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics until 1973. The organization changed its name in 2003, becoming the USA South Athletic Conference.
Marian Anderson singing at 1965 Charlotte College Commencement
Marian Anderson singing at the 1965 commencement of Charlotte College. Marian Anderson was a world renowned classical music singer. She was the first African American to perform with the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
Pierre Macy, Professor emeritus
Pierre Macy was a French professor with Charlotte College at its precipice. He established the foreign language department and served as its chair. He retired in 1969. The Macy building was named after him and it was one of the first two buildings on the campus.
Edyth Winningham
Edyth Winningham was one of the first faculty members of Charlotte College. She was hired in 1947 as a political science professor and was the second full time faculty member to be hired. She would continue to teach at the university throughout its expansion and retired in 1967. Edyth was named WBT Radio's Charlotte Woman of the Year in 1970 for her community engagement work.
Collegiate Council for United Nations
The Collegiate Council of United Nation's was a model UN club prevalent on many college campuses. Pictured is Charlotte College's chapter with their faculty advisors.
Dr. Jennifer Troyer is Appointed as Provost
In October, 2023, Dr. Jennifer Troyer was appointed Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Dr. Troyer joined UNC Charlotte in 1999, beginning as an Assistant Professor of Economics before being named Dean of the Belk College of Business in 2020.
The University Achieves R1 Status
UNC Charlotte was officially awarded Research 1 (R1) status by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, in cooperation with the American Council on Education, in February, 2025.
Community Engagement Classification is Reaffirmed
UNC Charlotte received reaffirmation of its community engagement classification from the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in January, 2026. The university earned its original classification in 2008, with reaffirmations in 2015 and 2025.
The School of Energy is Established
In 2026, UNC Charlotte established a School of Energy within the William States Lee College of Engineering, building on the recent selection of UNC Charlotte to lead the NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas, supported by a National Science Foundation investment of up to $160 million over 10 years.
Enrollment Surpasses 33,000
UNC Charlotte enrolled 33,045 students for the fall 2026 semester, surpassing the University’s previous record of 32,207 in 2025. It marked the third consecutive year of record-breaking enrollment at the university.
J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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