Phase II: UNC Charlotte 1960-Present

This visual timeline is to commemorate UNC Charlotte as an institution and integral part of the Charlotte community from 1960 to present day.

1st Official Chancellor of Charlotte college: Dean W. Colvard, UNC Charlotte, 20th century, From the collection of: UNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
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In 1966, UNC system President William Friday appointed Dean W. Colvard as the first official Chancellor of Charlotte College. During his tenure, the university grew from 1,700 students to over 8,000. He was also instrumental in establishing the University Research Park and the Discovery Place Museum in Uptown Charlotte. The university named the Colvard Building in his honor after his retirement in 1979.

Creation of Black Student Union and the Africana Studies Department, UNC Charlotte, 20th century, From the collection of: UNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
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  On March 3, 1969, a group of students convened at the flag pole in front of the King building and raised the Black liberation flag at half-mast. At this meeting, Black students demanded the right to form an officially recognized student group and the creation of a Black studies department at UNC Charlotte. 

Bonnie Cone retires (20th century) by UNC CharlotteUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library

Bonnie Cone Retires

  Bonnie Cone retired as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs on June 30, 1973. She had served as the driving force behind the university since it opened in 1946. 

International Festival Begins, UNC Charlotte, 20th century, From the collection of: UNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
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The UNC Charlotte annual international festival was founded in 1975 and sought to recognize the growing diversity in Charlotte. The festival proved a success and provided entertainment for all ages. The annual international festival continues to be a hallmark event in the Charlotte area.

UNCC NCAA Final Four Appearance (20th century) by UNC CharlotteUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library

UNCC Men's Basketball Team Makes First Final 4 Appearance

  he men's basketball team made their first ever appearance in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.  It was the first time a new conference school advanced that far in the NCAA basketball tournament. 

Chancellor E.K Fretwell, UNC Charlotte, 20th century, From the collection of: UNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
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Chancellor E.K Fretwell was appointed as chancellor on UNC Charlotte in 1979. He would continue to serve until 1989. During his time in office, the university established a graduate school and grew its research grants to over 6.1 million dollars. The Fretwell building on campus was named after the former chancellor.

Dr. Ann Carver, UNC Charlotte, 20th century, From the collection of: UNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
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  Dr. Ann Carver served as a faculty member of the English Department until she retired from UNC Charlotte in 1990. In spring 1975, a group of female students approached Dr. Carver about their desire for a Women’s Studies program.  After decades of negotiation and planning, UNC Charlotte approved the concentration in Women’s Studies in the spring of 1984. Dr. Carver became the first Coordinator of UNC Charlotte’s Women’s Studies Program.

James H. Woodward, UNC Charlotte, 20th century, From the collection of: UNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
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James H. Woodward was appointed as chancellor of the university in 1989. Under his leadership, UNC Charlotte launched its first doctoral programs in 1992. He continued to serve until his retirement in 2005. The university named the Woodward building on campus after him. 

Judy Rose becomes Director of Athletics, UNC Charlotte, 20th century, From the collection of: UNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
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Judy Rose became the third woman in the country to lead an NCAA Division I athletics program. She served in this position until her retirement in 2018. Striving for success “across the board,” 14 of the 49ers programs advanced to NCAA Tournament play or won a league title or both under Rose’s guidance. The Judy W. Rose Football Center at the Richardson-McColl stadium complex is named after her. 

Bonnie Cone ringing bell to celebrate (20th century) by UNC CharlotteUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library

Bonnie Cone Ringing Bell to Celebrate Ph.D Approval

In 1993, UNC Charlotte received approval from the Board of Governors to bring offering PhDs.

James H. Barnhardt Student Activity Center, UNC Charlotte, 20th century, From the collection of: UNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
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Students began advocating for a student activity center as early as 1986. When completed in 1996, the James H. Barnhardt Student Activity Center included the Dale Halton Arena. The center also hosted events such as commencement and concerts and was used for athletics. It was one of many new building projects initiated under the leadership of Chancellor Woodward. Others include the Fretwell Building, Robinson Hall, Cato Hall, and Bissell House.

Phillip L. Dubois (21st century) by UNC CharlotteUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library

Phillip L. Dubois Appointed Chancellor

Chancellor Phillip L. Dubois was appointed as Chancellor in 2005. He continued to serve until his retirement in 2020. Under his leadership, the university received record donations and established the UNC Charlotte Center City building in the heart of uptown Charlotte. 

Founder Bonnie Cone passes away (21st century) by UNC CharlotteUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library

Founder Bonnie Cone Passes Away

Bonnie Cone died on March 8, 2003. She is buried on campus in the Van Landingham Glen in the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens.

Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama, speaking at UNC Charlotte, UNC Charlotte, 21st century, From the collection of: UNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
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Senator Obama held a campaign rally at UNC Charlotte on the eve of election day during his bid for president in 2008. The rally marked his eighth trip to Charlotte, North Carolina and the city was the second to last stop on his presidential campaign. 

Center City Building opens in First Ward (21st century) by UNC CharlotteUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library

Center City Building Opens in First Ward

The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City Building was built in 2010 in the heart of Uptown Charlotte. It is 143,000 sq. feet, 25 classrooms and design studios, meeting and performance spaces, an art gallery, and a four-acre park.

Popp-Martin Student Union Dedication, UNC Charlotte, 21st century, From the collection of: UNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
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The Bonnie E.Cone University Center served as the central hub for students until the new student union broke ground in 2007. The new student center opened in 2009 and did not have a name until 2016. The university decided to name the new building the Popp-Martin Student Union to honor distinguished alumni and benefactors Karen A. Popp and Demond T. Martin. 

Light Rail completed (21st century) by UNC CharlotteUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library

Light Rail Completed

The process of bringing the Lightrail to campus began in 2005 when the university entered into a partnership with the city government. Construction on the station started in 2014 & was completed in 2018. March 16, 2018, the Blue Line extension opened for UNC Charlotte students.

April 30th Shooting Campus Vigil (21st century) by UNC CharlotteUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library

Campus Vigil for April 30th Shooting

 April 30th, 2019, a gunman entered a classroom in the Kennedy building & opened fire. Riley Howell & Reed Parlier were both killed & 4 others were injured.  Riley Howell, an undergraduate student tackled the shooter allowing his classmates the opportunity to escape  

UNC Charlotte adopts new logo and preferred name (21st century) by Bruton, WadeUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library

UNC Charlotte Adopts New Logo and Preferred Name

 In August 2021, UNC Charlotte adopted a new preferred name and logo. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte will no longer be known as "UNCC." Instead, the university will now be referred to as just "Charlotte." 

Sharon Gaber (21st century) by Bruton, WadeUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library

Dr. Sharon Gaber Appointed as Chancellor

Dr. Sharon Gaber was appointed as University Chancellor in July 2020. She became the first female chancellor of UNC Charlotte. 

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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