Phase I: Charlotte College 1946-1960
This visual timeline is to commemorate UNC Charlotte as an institution and integral part of the Charlotte community from 1946-1960.
The first application for CCUNC (20th century) by UNC CharlotteUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
The First Application for CCUNC
On September 23, 1946, the Charlotte Center of the University of North Carolina opened as a temporary extension program to help meet the demands on the University of North Carolina, following the creation of the G.I. Bill.
The Charlotte Center was one of twelve centers around the state created to provide freshman courses to local students who could then transfer to the Chapel Hill campus if they wanted to continue their education. It was the largest center in the state, with 278 students enrolled. Of those, 201 students were World War II veterans attending on the G.I. Bill, and even included a female veteran from Huntersville.
CCUNC Owls vs Davidson (20th century) by UNC CharlotteUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
CCUNC Owls vs Davidson
Mr. Charles C. Bernard served as the first director of the Charlotte Center of the University of North Carolina (CCUNC) when it opened in 1946. He developed many student activities during the first year of CCUNC. Mr. Bernard secured the first football coach for the CCUNC Owls.
Bonnie Cone was appointed to be the second director of the Charlotte Center of the University of North Carolina (CCUNC) in August 1947. A popular math teacher at Central High School, Cone had recently returned to Charlotte following her wartime work teaching math in V-12 Navy College Training Program at Duke University and a stint in the mathematical working group at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory in Washington, D.C.
Central High School Campus (20th century) by UNC CharlotteUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
Central High School Campus
Before relocating to its future home off of highway 49, Charlotte College was housed in Central High School located on Elizabeth Avenue. This building is now part of the campus of Central Piedmont Community College.
Central High School Library (20th century) by UNC CharlotteUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
Central High School Library
The N.C. College Conference committee approved plans for the Charlotte Center to offer sophomore-level college courses. The Charlotte Center became a two-year extension program of the University of North Carolina.
Charlotte College Seal (20th century) by UNC CharlotteUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
Charlotte College Seal
CCUNC became Charlotte College—an independent two-year junior college—under the direction of the City School Board of Charlotte in 1949. The transition marked the first time the university operated as an independent college.
Aerial photographs of Charlotte College (1961-07) by Bill BarleyUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
Aerial Photographs of Charlotte College (July 1961)
When Charlotte College became an independent college, supporters worked to create a campus for the new university. After garnering support from local business and political leaders, Charlotte College acquired land to build a campus.
On November 21, 1960, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to celebrate the relocation of Charlotte College from downtown Charlotte to a site nine miles northeast of the city off NC Highway 49. Charlotte College officially opens its new campus off of Highway 49 on September 20, 1961.
In October 1961, the student body voted on a new mascot for the college. The students decided on the 49er as their mascot. The choice recognized the importance of the year 1949 in the history of the University. In 1992, the university held a contest to name a bronze miner statue donated to the university. As a result, the mascot who would come to be known as Norm the Niner.
Charlotte College becomes a part of the UNC system (20th century) by UNC CharlotteUNC Charlotte J. Murrey Atkins Library
Charlotte College Becomes Part of the UNC system
In 1964, the North Carolina legislature approved bills making Charlotte College a four-year, state-supported college. The next year, Charlotte College was added to the statewide university system and renamed the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
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