Phase II: UNC Charlotte 1960-Present

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.

  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. 

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.

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 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 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 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. 

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.

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. 

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.