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Sprriingg 2005 Voll.. 12 No.. 3 THE MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS For Love of the Game Volume 12, Number 3 THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE JAMES H. WOODWARD, Chancellor H.C. “SMOKY” BISSELL Chairman of the Board of Trustees VICE CHANCELLOR FOR DEVELOPMENT AND UNIVERSITY RELATIONS Thomas A. Martz ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR FOR UNIVERSITY RELATIONS Anthony T. Hoppa, APR EDITOR Gina Carroll Howard STAFF WRITERS Natasha Ashe-Suber Jemi Johnson CLASS NOTES Pat McHenry PHOTOGRAPHER Wade Bruton Sam Roberts CIRCULATION MANAGER Cathy Brown UNC Charlotte is published three times a year by The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 ISSN 10771913 Editorial offices: Reese Building, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, N.C. 28223. Telephone: 704-687-4385; FAX 704-687-6379; e-mail: gchoward@email.uncc.edu 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. 68,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $16,366 or $.24 per copy. Printed on Recycled Paper Contents Spring 2005 2 News Briefs The dark at the end of the tunnel 20 ALUMNI NOTES On The Cover A grueling regimen, intense pressure and exhausting road trips all are routine parts of college basketball. Yet to a man – and woman – coaches and players say they willingly endure that and more for the unequaled euphoria they feel when they’re on the court. S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 pg.6 For LOVE of the GAME pg.14 pg.18 The ‘CARE-killing’ paradoX Dear Alumni and Friends of UNC Charlotte, Fewer things on campus are as electrifying as the final 60 seconds of a Charlotte-Cincinnati men’s basketball game, given the spirited rivalry between these two Conference USA competitors. That was especially true on Feb. 5 when the 49ers defeated the Bearcats, 91-90 in their final contest in Halton Arena. With “March Madness” upon us, NCAA athletics brings out the best in student athletes, including our 49ers. As we go to press, the men’s team is ranked 21st in the nation in the AP poll, positioning itself for an invitation to “the big dance.” The women’s team has also had a strong season leading up to the Conference USA tournament March 3-6, hosted by UNC Charlotte this year. In the span of several decades, UNC Charlotte boasts a rich and storied basketball program that mirrors the growth and success of the university. As you’ll read on page 6, the evolution of UNC Charlotte men’s and women’s basketball reflects more than scores and statistics. It reflects the mission of your university to provide students with a complete education, including lessons in integrity and the opportunity to compete at the highest level in athletics. As we complete our final season in Conference USA, we can look back with pride on our how far we’ve come – and point to an exciting future with the Atlantic 10 Conference this fall. As thrilling as collegiate athletics are – for players and fans alike – they are only part of the university experience. Education will always be the core of UNC Charlotte’s mission. Yet sometimes, the rigors of academic study collide with the pressures of daily life, creating unhealthy stress and behaviors in students’ lives, as you’ll learn on page 14. The increase in depression and other mental illnesses on campuses across the nation is a trend that is being addressed at UNC Charlotte. Fortunately, our Counseling Center offers a level of assistance that helps our students manage life issues to achieve their highest potential. Stress isn’t limited to student life, however. Two UNC Charlotte professors are conducting critical research among employees who confront the “care-killing” paradox in animal shelters and clinics – brought on by the explosive growth of unwanted pets that must be euthanized (page 18). Regrettably, every community is affected by this problem, and the findings of this research will help those who perform this job better cope with the effects of putting cats and dogs to sleep. This level of research – and its impact on the quality of life for others – is a hallmark of UNC Charlotte. Professors and students across all disciplines continue to ask “why” in their quest to discover new products, solutions and processes that we often take for granted. Your continuing support of UNC Charlotte helps make such learning possible, which in turn drives the research and discovery process. On behalf of all UNC Charlotte students and faculty, thank you for helping us make a difference. Sincerely yours, James H. Woodward Chancellor F A L L / W I N T E R 2 0 0 3 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 N E W S B R I E F S ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 3 New meteorology degree helps to meet an increasing demand UNC Charlotte has done more than just talk about the weather. Last fall, the university began its new meteorology degree program within the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences. UNC Charlotte is now the only school within 100 miles of the “Queen City” to offer a bachelor’s degree in meteorology. The program focuses on three areas of meteorology: air pollution, weather forecasting and tropical meteorology. It meets a growing demand for more meteorologists in the U.S. Air Force and for the new NBC weather channel that will have its home base in Charlotte. For more information about the program, contact the geography and earth sciences department at (704) 687-2293 or visit the Web site http://personal.uncc.edu/betherto/metdeg.htm. Coach shares tips for success Coaches, parents and aspiring basketball greats will find all they need to know about the tactics and techniques needed to create outstanding players and winning teams in The Basketball Handbook. The author, former UNC Charlotte coach Lee Rose, describes drills and special tips for executing them. His perfor-mance rating system identifies individual player strengths and weaknesses, and throughout the book Rose explains how to build on those strengths and minimize those weaknesses to take each player and team to its potential. The 264-page paperback, available in bookstores and online, has received glowing reviews from pro coaches and players as well as library and trade publications. For additional information, visit www.coachleerose.com. Master’s in social work gains national accreditation The four-year-old master’s of social work program has been nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The program’s accreditation ensures that agencies and organizations throughout the country will recognize that UNC Charlotte students completing the degree have received the highest quality training. This competitive MSW program enrolls 30 students each year for the 60 credit-hour program. The program’s service area includes North Carolina’s Piedmont from Greensboro to Asheville, and students serve in a wide variety of more than 100 area settings for supervised field instruction. For more information, visit www.health.uncc.edu/sowk. TIAA-CREF funds doctoral fellowships TIAA-CREF has established a doctoral fellowship program for students at UNC Charlotte in three areas of study: optical science and engineering, applied mathematics and information technology. The scholarships will be used to recruit out-standing stu-dents who have demonstrated the potential to make a significant contribution to their pro-fessions and to society after completing their degrees. They provide support to newly admitted students for their first year of doctoral study. UNC Charlotte/TIAA-CREF fellows will receive a $25,000 stipend plus tuition. Fellows also will have an opportunity for a paid internship with TIAA-CREF during the course of their academic study. Further information is available from the Graduate School at (704) 687-3368, mmareesa@email.uncc.edu. or www.uncc.edu/gradmiss/index.asp. 2 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ N E W S B R I E F S Art professor makes money and history When it comes to university contributions, many often think of research in the fields of math, science or technology. But Jamie Franki, associate professor of illustration and design, has made a very visible, albeit understated, contribution to the U.S. economy – the design of the nation’s newest coin. Franki’s rendering of an American bison, which is reminiscent of the venerable Buffalo Nickel, is featured on the “reverse” side of the new nickel. It is one of three new designs in the 2005 Westward Journey Nickel Series. About 800 million of the coins will be struck and will become part of the roughly 18.9 billion nickels in circulation. For additional information or to access photographs of the newly designed nickel, please visit the U.S. Mint Web site at www.usmint.gov. Luncheon raises money for women’s athletics Many of the most influential women in the Charlotte area supported women’s athletics during the Charlotte 49ers first “Let Me Play” luncheon in November. The innovative event, which was sponsored by Wachovia, raised $62,000. “Let Me Play” spotlighted the importance of athletics in women’s development and illustrated the doors that have been opened, due, in part, to women’s participation in athletics. It also emphasized the qualities that athletic involvement instills in women. Virtual reality expert joins the College of Information Technology A renowned expert in virtual reality and 3-D imaging has joined the faculty as the Bank of America Endowed Chair in Information Technology. William Ribarsky, the first recipient of the endowed professorship, is a former associate director at the Graphics Visualization and Visibility Center at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His primary research includes work in virtual reality, bioinformatics and 3-D imaging of high resolution terrain. Ribarsky is in charge of creating a data visualization center at UNC Charlotte that opened this spring. This interdisciplinary program will use computer graphics to interpret data across various disciplines and will become a new department within the College of Information Technology. The center will analyze such things as atmospheric data useful to meteorologists in predicting the weather, genetic data for the upcoming bioinformatics center at UNC Charlotte and banking data that will be important for Charlotte’s banking industry. Boyd Davis honored for dedication to students’ professional development For her personal commitment to each graduate student, her enthusiasm and belief that every young person has the ability to succeed, Boyd Davis has been awarded the 2005 Harshini V. de Silva Graduate Mentor Award. Davis takes her students’ thinking seriously and treats them as the professionals they desire to be. She believes that each graduate student contributes some-thing of value. This makes her mentoring exceptionally effective. Davis, a Bonnie E. Cone Professor of Teaching and English professor, is an accomplished scholar and adjunct gerontology professor. She has written several books and numerous scholarly journal articles on historical, compar-ative and applied linguistics. In addition to her scholar-ship, Davis also co-produced the Charlotte section of “Voices of North Carolina,” a PBS documentary about the state’s language heritage. She joined the UNC Charlotte faculty in 1970, received the Bank of America Award for Teaching Excellence in 1977 and was named to a Bonnie Cone Distinguished Professorship in 1997. The Chancellor’s Office and the Graduate School presented Davis with the award Feb. 15 in memory of Harshini de Silva, an associate professor of biology who was dedicated to the academic and professional development of her graduate students. Jamie Franki “American bison” design ch osen for new 2005 nickel English professor Boyd Davis celebrated receiving the Harshini V. de Silva Graduate Mentor Award with her husband, Dick (left) and Chancellor Jim Woodward. $ N E W S B R I E F S ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 5 Dennis Bunker, III ’81, and his wife, Kathryn, established the Dennis N. Bunker, III Endowed Scholarship in Economics, perpetuating their loyal support of his alma mater. The scholarship will benefit economics students with demonstrated finan-cial need and good academic standing. Dennis previously established the Bunker Land Group, LLC Geography Scholarship for students with an interest in economic geography. He graduated from UNC Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in economics and currently owns and manages Bunker Land Group, LLC, specializing in site selection services for builder and developer clients. Bunker’s generosity does not stop with his monetary donations. He also gives his time to the university by serving on the Alumni Board of Governors. Sandra Bailey has included the Nila and Stokley Bailey PFLAG Scholarship, which honors her parents, in her estate planning. Harold “Ham” Morris established this scholarship in memory of his foster son, Gary, who died in 1991. Candidates for the scholarship include those students who identify themselves as gay or lesbian, or who express an interest in gay and lesbian studies. Nila and Stokley Bailey co-founded the Charlotte chapter of the national organization of Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). Chuck Lynch, UNC Charlotte’s vice chancellor for student affairs, says the Baileys were invaluable in the gay and lesbian community, providing support, advocacy, and services to parents and family members. He also mentions that the scholarship helps the university demonstrate support of its gay and lesbian population. An anonymous donor has awarded UNC Charlotte a grant in the amount of $20,000. The money purchased eight new laptop computers for the J. Murrey Atkins Library. The computers are a part of the library’s loaner program, which allows students to check out laptops for personal use. This vital program serves as an important aid for students who need portable computers to access the Internet without wires or to assist with a class presentation. Significant support for the university is coming from all quarters. Here’s a look at some recent gifts and pledges from individuals, corporations and foundations. Gifts to the university received between July 1998 and June 30, 2005 count towards the It Takes A Gift Campaign for UNC Charlotte. Together, we are shaping what’s ahead. UNC President Molly Broad (second from left) joined UNC Charlotte Chancellor Jim Woodward (left) and C.D. "Dick" Spangler, UNC president emeritus, as Sally and Russell Robinson cut the ribbon to dedicate the university's new performing arts center that was named in their honor. 4 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ F A C U L T Y B R I E F S Three UNC Charlotte professors share “Voices of North Carolina” “Voices of North Carolina,” a PBS documentary, takes viewers into living rooms, schools, workplaces and on front porches to highlight the state’s unique and diverse language heritage. UNC Charlotte English professors Boyd Davis, Malin Pereira and Sam Watson were interviewed for the program. The documentary, produced by N.C. State University professors Walt Wolfram and Neal Hutcheson, is narrated by UNC system president emeritus William C. Friday. The pro-gram spotlights different regional and ethnic dialects across North Carolina. Davis co-produced the Charlotte section of the documentary along with Pereira and Watson. The hour-long documen-tary includes information about the Cherokee language, Outer Banks brogue, Lumbee and African-American English heard across the state. “Voices of North Carolina” also features vignettes on the unique dialects of the North Carolina mountains and city communities, and highlights the growing Spanish-speaking population. Information from the program will be used to produce books and curriculum for use in public schools across the state. For more information visit www.talkingnc.com/index.htm. Aulette, Eldridge receive Fulbright Scholar awards Judy Aulette, an associate sociology professor, and Michael Eldridge, a philosophy professor, were honored as 2004 visiting Fulbright scholars for their academic, professional achievement and leadership skills. Eldridge and Aulette are among 800 U.S. faculty and profes-sionals who traveled abroad for the 2004-2005 acade-mic year through the Fulbright Scholar Program. Aulette lectured on women’s health issues, the sociology of gender, family policy and research meth-ods at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa, where Desmund Tutu is chancellor of the uni-versity. She also conducted research on women’s grass-roots activism around issues involving housing, poverty and AIDS. At UNC Charlotte, Aulette teaches courses on gender, feminist thought and family policy, and is an adjunct professor in the women’s studies program. Eldridge taught at the University of Szeged, Hun-gary, where he lectured on pragmatic moral theory. He specializes in social and political philosophy and has taught courses on American philosophy, biblical his-tory, critical thinking and ethics. Psychology professors offer healthy ways to deal with bereavement Coping with the loss of a loved one and dealing with grief is an experience many people cope with daily. Lawrence Calhoun and Richard Tedeschi, UNC Charlotte clinical psychology professors, have discovered coping mechanisms that can help. They say the pain experienced following the loss of a child may follow with posttraumatic growth. This positive consequence can manifest itself in several ways that include changes in one’s attitude, relationships with others, life priorities and spirituality. Calhoun and Tedeschi have written two books that offer helpful information for the bereaved. Trauma and Transformation and Facilitating Posttraumatic Growth speak about the grief process and ways to deal with loss. For more information, contact (704) 687-4731 or visit www.psych.uncc.edu/. The usefulness of hydrogen gets reality check The hydrogen economy, a future energy system based primarily on hydrogen as opposed to fossil fuels, is attracting increasing interest from scientists, policymakers and industry. Daniel Rabinovich, an associate professor of chemistry at UNC Charlotte, is studying the opportunities and challenges hydrogen faces as a potential energy source. He is conducting research on hydrogenase, a family of bacterial enzymes that produce hydrogen and could accelerate the realization of a hydrogen economy. For more information, contact Rabinovich at drabinov@email.uncc.edu Research Quick Links Single-season records men’s Most wins in a season 28 in 1976-77 Fewest wins in a season 5 in 1967-68 5 in 1984-85 Most losses in a season 23 in 1984-85 Fewest losses in a season 3 in 1974-75 women’s Most wins in a season 24 in 1990 Fewest wins in a season 3 in 1977 Most losses in a season 21 in 1999 Fewest losses in a season 6 in 1979, 1980 and 1991 continued next page When Bonnie Cone hired Harvey Murphy in 1965 as physical education department chair, he knew that being the part-time basketball coach was part of his job – temporarily. However, UNC Charlotte’s first chancellor, Dean Colvard, had other plans. He understood the critical role sports could play in galvanizing faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community. Because of basketball’s visibility in North Carolina and his own experience at both Mississippi State and N.C. State, Colvard determined to make the sport the centerpiece of the new university’s athletics program. Murphy, who had both played and coached college ball, relished the opportu-nity to help build a university and the recently renamed 49ers athletics program. However, he faced some daunting challenges. “For two years, we didn’t have the same basketball team for any two semesters,” he says, noting that at the end of his first semester, he lost six players when their grades fell below the mandatory C average. “I had no trouble finding players who were academically sound, but had trouble selling them on coming to a school without a playing facility and housing.” But Ben Basinger ’71 was sold. One of Murphy’s stellar players both on and off the court, he remembers driving up the mountains to a game in a drafty bus with a blanket over his head studying organic chemistry. “No one loved the game more than I did,” says Basinger, who heads sales and marketing in a six-county area for Rental Service Corp.“We took pride in wearing the uniform and representing the university. We knew we were pioneers and setting the reputation and standards.” From Murphy, Basinger learned ball-handling skills plus lessons in integrity. Excitement was palpable on campus in 1969 when the 49ers had its first winning season, captured the Dixie conference championship and were scheduled to play in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics district playoffs. However, Murphy learned that one of the key players was only carrying seven hours – all he needed to graduate – rather than the requisite 12. Murphy reported the violation, which disqualified his team from post-season tournament play. “I was so looking forward to playing in Greensboro and I was really mad at Coach,” says Basinger, who was the team’s leading scorer that season, “but I had great respect for Dr. Murphy.” Still, Murphy had one last shot at tournament play. In his last season, he led a team, respected as much for its ethics as its basketball prowess, to a second conference championship and to post-season play. Norris Dae, who still holds the university single season record for rebounds and rebounds per game, and Basinger were the year’s top scorers. The success was a fitting tribute for Murphy who, a teacher at heart, viewed the court as another classroom and games as the exams. Even more than basketball, he wanted to teach his players how to be good citizens. “When players graduated and went on to do the things they did, that got my adrenaline flowing,” Murphy observes. “That’s a big part of success. The moments that are most precious to me are when one of my players or students comes up to me and says, ‘You’ve made a big difference in my life.’ I can’t think of higher praise.” C O V E R S T O R Y ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 7 “No one loved the game more than I did. We took pride in wearing the uniform and representing the university.” Ben Basinger ’71 6 They were just a handful of walk-ons with the love for basketball. Led by a part-time coach, the 1948 Charlotte Center basketball players didn’t have scholarships, their own gym or even a dedicated building for their college. The program was funded by gate receipts. Against Lenoir-Rhyne, they netted $3.22. They lost $3.75 against Belmont Abbey. Yet, Charlotte College, as the two-year institution became known in 1949, doggedly continued to field a team. The Owls – named as tribute to its night school beginning – joined the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and in 1962, the hard-scrabble team finally claimed its first tournament victory in the Sun Coast Tournament in St. Petersburg, Fla. Charlotte had tasted the sweet fruit of the future. For LOVE of the GAME By Gina Carroll Howard C O V E R S T O R Y ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 9 Fortunately, things got better. “I was overjoyed and in awe that I was in college, playing college basketball against all-American honorable mentions,” he recalls. As the only freshman on the varsity team, the year passed in a blur of lights and excitement. From the time he scored his first basket, Maxwell felt like he belonged. “I was an awkward, gangly kid who went into a cocoon and came out a butterfly ready to fly.” And fly he did. Considered the greatest player in 49ers history, Maxwell continues to hold three UNC Charlotte career records and had his jersey retired in 1977. But in 1976, the future 1981 NBA Most Valuable Player was a kid from Kinston, afraid to fail, playing for a school few people had heard of in a national basketball tour-nament in New York City. His teammates called him “Max,” “the Franchise” (follow-ing his NIT exposure) or “Cornbread.” The latter nickname stuck when a national reporter overheard it. “We went from one beat reporter to reporters from all over the country in the locker room,” Maxwell recalls. “We (team members) remember the NCAA Final Four in ’77, but when we all get together, we talk about the NIT experience.” The national sports pundits – and even UNC Charlotte administrators – all expected the team to head home after the first round. Rose recalls they only had funding to cover expenses in New York for one game. When they won, staff member Mildred English hopped a plane and hand carried a check for one more night in New York. English made two more trips before the 49ers, captained by future 49ers coach Melvin Watkins, lost to Kentucky by four points in the NIT finals. On their return to Char-lotte, thousands of people cheered them as they stepped off the plane. “The city opened their arms to us and enfolded us,” Rose says of Charlotte’s support for the team. UNC Charlotte’s NIT appearance was followed the next year with a trip to the NCAA Final Four and the formation of the Sun Belt Conference. As critical as those achievements were in developing the university’s athletics program, they were no more important than another key strategy Rose undertook in his role as athletic director (AD): launching the women’s basketball program. Coaching records men’s 1 Harvey Murphy .341 (1965-1970) 44-81 2 Bill Foster .691 (1970-1975) 88-38 3 Lee Rose .800 (1975-78) 72-18 4 Mike Pratt .518 (1978-82) 56-52 5 Hal Wissel .262 (1982-85) 22-62 6 Jeff Mullins .562 (1985-96) 182-142 7 Melvin Watkins .677 (1996-98) 42-20 8 Bobby Lutz .603 (1998-2004) 114-75 Post-season tournament play men’s 1976 – NIT 1977 – NCAA 1988 – NCAA 1989 – NIT 1992 – NCAA 1994 – NIT 1995 – NCAA 1997 – NCAA 1998 – NCAA 1999 – NCAA 2000 – NIT 2001 – NCAA 2002 – NCAA 2004 – NCAA 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 continued next page Rodney White and Jobey Thomas celebrated the 2001 C-USA title. When the team returned to Charlotte from the NIT, thousands of people cheered them as they stepped off the plane. The city opened their arms and enfolded them. Men put on a full-court press In Murphy’s final season, UNC Charlotte hired its first full-time coach. While Murphy coached, Bill Foster recruited. The 1970-71 season was marked not only by a new coach, but by the university’s first scholarship athletes, a new on-campus arena – the Mineshaft – and a new level of play – Division I. In its first year as an NCAA team, the 49ers posted a 15-8 winning season. When Charlotte joined the NCAA, it became unaffiliated with a conference. That, in part, explains why despite Foster’s five-year 88-38 record – 23-3 in his last season, the 49ers didn’t get a bid for post-season tournament play. However, his savvy recruiting of players such as Melvin Watkins and Cedric Maxwell built the foundation of a stellar team that his successor, Lee Rose, would coach to national prominence. Rose approached coaching like a chess match, strategizing offensive and defensive moves to stymie his opponents and win the game. One of Rose’s first strate-gies involved breaking into national post-season play. With only 32 teams playing in the NCAA Tournament and 16 in the NIT, the 49ers had some serious competition. Rose approached Kentucky’s legendary coach Adolph Rupp for some direction. Rupp secured an appointment for Rose to make his case before the 1976 NIT selection committee in New York. Rose remembers the experience as a strange one. “I went into the belly of Madison Square Gardens to meet these guys smoking cigars. The air was so thick, I could hardly see them. Peter Carlesimo, a former football player and the committee chair, looked me over and asked, ‘Whaddya got?’” Rose spoke for 10 minutes and waited. Finally, Carlesimo thanked him, and Rose walked out. “That was the emptiest feeling I’ve ever had,” he says. Well into the two-day selection process, the call came from Carlesimo. “We’re selecting you,” he growled, “but don’t disappoint us.” And the 49ers – with a jaw-dropping performance by Cedric Maxwell ’77 – didn’t. A first-round draft pick by the Boston Celtics, which has retired his jersey, Maxwell almost didn’t make it to the NIT as a UNC Charlotte player. As a 17-year-old freshman who had been cut from his high school team as a junior, Maxwell had an ominous introduction to campus life. His first day, he got stitches from a cut received during a pick-up game. His second, he had a severe allergic reaction to shrimp he’d eaten in the cafeteria. If his third day were equally as danger-ous, he vowed he’d head home. Basketball career records men’s Total points Henry Williams (1988-92) 2,383 Scoring average (minimum of 50 games) George Jackson (1973-75) 20.4 Field goals made Lew Massey (1974-78) 916 Field goal percentage (minimum of 400 attempted) Cedric Maxwell (1973-77) .5861 20-Point games Henry Williams (1988-92) 65 Free throws made Jarvis Lang (1990-91, 1992-95) 538 Free throw percentage (minimum of 200 attempted) Roderick Howard (1993-97) .878 Rebounds Cedric Maxwell (1973-77) 1,117 Rebounds per game (minimum of two years) Cedric Maxwell (1973-77) 10.0 Assists (since 1972) Keith Williams (1983-87) 515 Dunks (since 1980) Jarvis Lang (1990-91, 1992-95) 162 Steals (since 1972) Keith Williams (1983-87) 236 Double-doubles (points-rebounds) Jarvis Lang (1990-91, 1992-95) 53 Blocked shots (since 1975) Ray Gromlowicz (1983-87) 194 Double-figure scoring games (since 1971) Henry Williams (1988-92) 111 Minutes played (since 1977) Henry Williams (1988-92) 3,996 Minutes per game (since 1977) Chad Kinch (1976-80) 36.4 Three-point field goals made Jobey Thomas (1998-2002) 346 For LOVE of the GAME 8 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ C O V E R S T O R Y Cedric Maxwell Considered the greatest player in 49ers history, Cedric Maxwell continues to hold three UNC Charlotte career records. He had his jersey retired in 1977. It was a seismic shock to the program. Suddenly, they were playing the big girls. Payne, wanting to start a family, had taken the position anticipating traveling no more than a few hours from home. Instead, she found herself traveling throughout the East Coast. “I didn’t even have an assistant, just a guy who said he’d come when he could to help drive the van,” Payne says. “I hadn’t bargained for this.” Payne was discovering what men’s coaches – including her husband – had known for years: Coaching college ball was all-consuming. These growing pains were common to most women’s teams at the time, Payne says. They were struggling to transition from what had basically been club teams to ones that were nationally competitive. Nonetheless, Payne produced winning seasons both years she coached. Kristin Wilson ’87, whom Payne had spotted in Germany when she had coached at a military dependents’ summer camp, was one of the keys. By her senior year, Wilson had set four single season records. She still holds three school career records and shares Bennett’s distinction of having her jersey retired. Men rebound As the women’s program was finding its stride in Division I, the men’s team was floundering. Between 1978 and 1985, the team posted a dismal 78-114 record. Jeff Mullins, a former NBA World Champion with the Golden State Warriors and an Olympic gold medalist, was hired to turn things around. Mullins saw UNC Charlotte as a “diamond in the rough.” He envisioned a program that the city of Charlotte would once again embrace. But he had some work to do. He set about changing attitudes on campus, in the community and among the players themselves. However, an unforeseen challenge arose when the NBA came to town two years later. “That really interrupted my plan for Charlotte for the long term. Pro teams can suck the life out of college programs,” he notes. So Mullins focused on all the positive aspects of the program: strong support from the administration, great coaches, being part of a strong university system and being located in the growing city of Charlotte. Plus, as the team moved from the Sun Belt to the Metro Conference and finally to Conference USA, the opponents and the players themselves ratcheted up a notch. “The campus kept growing, the livability was terrific and the campus was very sellable,” he points out. “And, we had a builder tradition.” By his second season, Mullins had reinstilled a winning mentality and the team went 18-14, the first winning season in five years. In the 11 years he coached, the 49ers took three trips to the NCAA tournament and two to the NIT. Henry Williams ’96, who played for Mullins between 1988 and 1992, was on two of those post-season tournament teams. C O V E R S T O R Y ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 11 Coaching records women’s 1 Judy Wilkins Rose .589 (1975-82) 93-65 2 Ann Payne .625 (1982-84) 35-21 3 Cindy Connelley .523 (1984-88) 56-51 4 Ed Baldwin .478 (1988-2001) 175-191 5 Katie Meier .532 (2001-03) 54-36 Post-season tournament play women’s 1979 – NCAIAW Division II 1980 – NCAIAW Division II 1981 – NCAIAW Division II 1982 – NCAIAW Division II 1990 – NIT 2003 – NCAA 2004 – NIT UNC Charlotte conference affiliation 1948-1970 – Dixie (NAIA) 1970-1976 – Independent (NCAA Division 1) 1976-1991 – Sun Belt 1991-1995 – Metro 1995-2005 – Conference USA 2005- – Atlantic 10 1 2 3 4 5 continued next page Ann Payne Henry Williams Women take off Rose attracted two talented women who set the program’s tone: Judy Wilkins, now Judy Wilkins Rose (no relations to Lee Rose), its first coach and the university’s current AD; and Paula Bennett ’83, one of the team’s first players. Judy Rose, an assistant coach at the University of Tennessee while earning her master’s degree, coached both tennis and basketball at UNC Charlotte. She embraced her role – her first full-time job – as the architect of the women’s basketball program with her characteristic enthusiasm. “I know we weren’t very good when you compared us to teams that had scholarship players,” Rose says of her campus-recruited team, “but the girls were real fighters. Although we got beat, they never gave up.” The third year, they had a winning season. Bennett’s career as a 49er was the result of serendipity. Lee Rose had arrived early at her high school to watch the boys’ game when he spotted her playing. An assistant coach approached Bennett and told her they’d be in touch. Judy Rose followed up with a scholarship offer, the first anyone at Bennett’s high school had ever earned. Coming to Charlotte from Williamston was an education in itself for Bennett, now Army sergeant 1st class and an instructor at a military intelligence school at Ft. Huachuca, Ariz. She was exposed to people from different states and different cultures and learned that despite their differences, they shared a common denominator: their love of basketball. Bennett loved every aspect of the game. She loved to block shots and hit the ball against the backboard. She could hardly wait to get to practice. “I could jump so high above everyone else – I get goose bumps thinking about it – and I was quicker. By the time they jumped, I had the ball and had already come back down. It was the best feeling in the world.” The first women’s player to have her jersey retired, Bennett still holds seven UNC Charlotte career records. On the court, the team was highly competitive. Off, the women were like a family. “I loved the kids on my teams. They were like my own children,” Judy Rose maintains. “I felt compelled to make sure they graduated and were prepared for life, as well as prepared for basketball competitions.” Based on the loyalty her former players still feel for her, Rose successfully did both. “Judy was like our mother,” insists Diane Stepp Burton ’83, now a U.S. probation officer assigned to the Western District of North Carolina in the Asheville Division. “She always had us over for Thanksgiving. As I’ve gotten older, I realize how much Judy Rose means to me. When I was sworn in to my current job, Judy was there. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be where I am.” In 1982, when Rose stepped down to be assistant athletic director, Ann Payne took over as women’s coach. Payne had inherited a strong program, but she was thrown a curve ball. When the season began, the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women had folded as women began to gain equity in athletics. Unexpectedly, the women’s team was forced to join UNC Charlotte’s men’s team in NCAA Division I. Basketball career records women’s Points scored Paula Bennett (1978-82) 2,078 Points per game Paula Bennett (1978-82) 19.6 Field goals made Paula Bennett (1978-82) 914 Field goals attempted Paula Bennett (1978-82) 2,042 Field goal percentage Sandra Williams (1989-91) .561 Three-point field goals made Peaches Harris (2001-04) 157 Three-point field goal percentage Tammy Gilliam (1990-93) .393 Free throws made Kristin Wilson (1983-87) 412 Free throws attempted Kim Fox (1977-81) 742 Free throw percentage Lisa Gerton (1994-96) .861 Rebounds Kristin Wilson (1983-87) 1,305 Rebounds per game Paula Bennett (1979-82) 12.3 Offensive Rebounds Charlette Hargrove (1994-97) 4.9 Assists Markita Aldridge (1991-96) 442 Blocks Adrienne Jordan (1998-2001) 207 Steals Patricia Walker (1978-1982) 301 Number of 30-point games Paula Bennett (1979-82) 14 Number of 20-point games Paula Bennett (1979-1982) 49 Double-doubles Kristin Wilson (1984-87) 68 Triple-doubles Patricia Walker (1978-82) 13 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists 10 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ C O V E R S T O R Y For LOVE of the GAME Paula Bennett (left) and Patricia Walker 12 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ C O V E R S T O R Y C O V E R S T O R Y ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 13 “There’s such opportunity for positive growth in the university, and it’s mirrored in the growth of the women’s basketball program,” Meier says. The program’s greatest strength is the strong university-wide desire – and support – for women’s basketball to succeed. Meier, who has an M.A.T. in English, is pleased her teams are winning, but it’s how they’re winning that makes her most proud. “The most pressure I put on myself as coach is to form and mold the young ladies I have for four years and make them better,” she says. “It’s not the wins and losses. I don’t remember disappointing losses, but if a young lady fails, I ask myself, ‘Did I fail her?’” Meier takes to heart Chancellor Jim Woodward’s charge to make the program a window to the university. She says she and her staff take great care in choosing the best recruits for their program, women who will represent the university well. “The easiest part is to evaluate the talent. The hardest part is to evaluate character,” she asserts. While Meier was familiar with her players’ side of the court, Bobby Lutz ’80 was not. He had the fortune – or misfortune – of trying out for the 1977 NCAA Final Four team. He didn’t make it. So while Maxwell, Watkins and other outstanding players were wowing national audiences, Lutz was beginning to earn the first of four undergraduate and master’s degrees. After coaching successful high school teams and rejuvenating Pfeiffer University’s program, Lutz applied for a coaching position under Mullins. He was turned down – several times. Finally, in 1995, Mullins gave him a chance, and Lutz joined the 49ers as an assistant coach. In 1998, he succeeded Watkins as head coach. In his first six sea-sons, the man who couldn’t earn a 49ers jersey as a walk on has won more games than any coach in the history of the men’s basketball program. His teams have won three C-USA championships and have gone on to post-season tournaments five of those years. Lutz, who joined the UNC Charlotte Alumni Hall of Fame in 2002, is modest about his success. He says he was fortunate to take over a program that his two predecessors had positioned so well. And he knew he was ready for the challenge. At every game, when he enters the arena, he looks at the student sections to thank them for being there. But first, he looks for his family. “We tell our players that faith and family should be your first priority, academics second and basketball third,” he comments. “I try to model that in actions rather than just words.” Like his counterpart in the women’s program, Lutz enjoys the competition, the teamwork and the family feeling involved in coaching. He says he loves to watch his players get better as he strives for excellence in every phase of the program, a program that is the second most successful one in the 10 years of Conference USA. “Our program has represented the university well,” he says. Judy Rose says the two greatest strengths of UNC Charlotte’s basketball program are Katie Meier and Bobby Lutz. Meier, she says, knows how to motivate her players, and Lutz is an excellent strategist. Next year, after 40 years of men’s basketball and 30 years of women’s, UNC Charlotte is poised to join the Atlantic 10 Conference. Rose says fans can expect the same highly competitive games, the same level of success and integrity – and the same passion – that Lutz, Meier, the players and other coaches have made the hallmark of 49ers basketball. “It was the most exciting time of my life,” says Williams, now a pastor, businessman and color radio analyst for the NBA Charlotte Bobcats. “I felt like we had the city of Charlotte behind us. The fans were passionate. That came from the passion Judy Rose, Coach and the chancellor felt. That was contagious.” Like Mullins, Williams is proud of helping to build the program, noting that everyone at that time felt they played a part. “Wearing the UNC Charlotte jersey (at the NCAA tournament) showed that we might not be as well known, but we were every bit as good.” Williams was indeed good, named first-team NCAA freshman all-American. He still holds four university career records. Programs score a slam dunk By the time Mullins left the university in 1996, he had achieved his goal of building a solid foundation for the men’s basketball program. His successor, former 49ers team captain Melvin Watkins, built on that foundation to take his teams to a 42-20 record during his two years coaching. While the men built, the women struggled, falling to a 231-242 record from the mid- ’80s until Katie Meier took the helm in 2001. The former ACC 1986 Rookie of the Year at Duke University and pro player in Belgium didn’t see a losing program. She saw a golden opportunity. Like her successful predecessors, Meier character-izes herself as a builder and says her job as head women’s coach fits her “to a T.” A self-described “big picture” person, she says she does her best when she narrows her focus. Her first year, Meier narrowed it to the “W” column. “I didn’t even talk about the ‘L’ column,” she asserts. “I said we’re here to get wins. Every time we take the floor, it’s an opportunity to get one more W for this university.” Her first year, she got 16 of them. The second season, the program earned its first bid to the NCAA tournament, and Meier was named Conference USA and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Region IV Coach of the Year. Last year, the team was invited to play in the Women’s NIT. For LOVE of the GAME Retired Jerseys men’s 4 Byron Dinkins (1985-89) Jersey retired Oct. 16, 1997 “The Dink,” Jeff Mullins’ first recruit, was his team’s leading scorer for all three seasons he played. He compiled 1,657 points, 513 assists and 139 three-point field goals. 4 DeMarco Johnson (1994-98) Jersey retired Jan. 26, 2000 Johnson remains C-USA’s all-time leading scorer despite playing in that league for just three seasons. Part of three NCAA Tournament teams, he posted a 16.8 career scoring average and 7.8 career rebounding average. 23 Jarvis Lang (1990-91, 1992-95) Jersey retired Oct. 15, 1996 With a 42-inch vertical leap, Lang nailed 1,855 points and grabbed 1,047 rebounds. He still holds the university’s career record for free throws made (538), double-doubles (53) and the most dunks (162) since 1980 when they first were allowed. 32 Melvin Watkins (1973-77) Jersey retired March 2, 1977 A proven leader, Watkins captained two teams (that never lost a home game) to the 1976 NIT Finals and 1977 NCAA Final Four. Returning in 1996 for two seasons as the 49ers head men’s basket-ball coach, he compiled an overall coaching record of 23-7. 33 Cedric Maxwell (1973-77) Jersey retired March 2, 1977 Considered the greatest player in 49ers history, Maxwell played in the 1976 NIT Finals and 1977 NCAA Final Four. His moniker of “Cornbread” was picked up by the New York City press during the 1976 NIT Tournament and stuck. To this day, he holds the UNC Charlotte career records for rebounds (1,117), rebounds per game for a player on the team for at least two years (10) and field goal percentage with a minimum of 400 attempted (.5861). Additionally, he holds four single-season records. 34 Henry Williams (1988-92) Jersey retired March 7, 1992 The all-time leading scorer in 49ers history with 2,383 points, Williams also is tops in the university’s record books in double-figure scoring games since 1971 (111) and minutes played since 1977 (3,996). With a career record 65 20-point games, Williams is the only UNC Charlotte player to average more than 20 points in three seasons. 45 Charles Hayward (1997-99) Jersey retired Sept. 15, 1999 When his leukemia went into remission after his freshman year, Hayward lived his dream of playing college ball. In the 10 games he played the fall of 1998, he made his mark by blocking a Halton Arena record six shots and scored a game-tying basket with 1.00 left in overtime in the 49ers first visit to UNC Chapel Hill. However, his greatest legacy before leukemia claimed him in December 1998 was as an inspiration for all 49ers. women’s 21 Paula Bennett (1979-82) Jersey retired Feb. 8, 1998 Bennett was the 49ers’ first all-American, earning first-team American Sports Foundation honors in 1980. She remains the 49ers’ all-time scoring leader and the only player in 49ers history to score 2,000 career points (2,078). A three-time MVP, Bennett is second all-time in rebounds and steals and leads the program with 14 games of 30 or more points. 35 Kristin Wilson (1984-87) Jersey retired Feb. 2, 2003 Wilson is the school’s second all-time leading scorer and first all-time leading rebounder. She scored more than 1,900 career points with over 1,300 career rebounds and was named the 1987 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year.Wilson was an honorable mention all-America by the Women’s Basketball Yearbook as both a junoir and senior and was a two-time team MVP. Wilson owns records for most points scored in a season (619) and points in a game (45). Katie Meier Bobby Lutz F E A T U R E A R T I C L E ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 15 The day she thought about killing herself, “Suzanne” felt bad from the second she got up. It had been a rough couple of days, what with an athletic team practice, school and all. A lot of little things were adding up. She had been trying to think positive thoughts to keep the depression at bay. She kept telling herself she could do it, but the feeling of being immobilized was setting in. Suzanne plodded to the bathroom. She faced the medicine cabinet and swung the door open. Her housemate’s bottle of pills offered peace. She reached for them and headed back to her room in a haze. She put the bottle under her bed – for later. First, she had to go to work. Suzanne knew she needed help. She knew she should call her counselor but she was afraid. In therapy, Suzanne had talked about her feeling of being a burden, of feeling she shouldn’t need so much help. Suzanne remembered “Dr. Madison’s” instructions to call, but she couldn’t pick up the phone. So she compromised. She left a message for Madison, vague, saying only that she needed to talk. Madison left a time to call that afternoon. After work, Suzanne uncharacteristically skipped team practice and didn’t call the coach. Instead, she walked home. She began to cry. The house was dark and empty. Her depression deepened. Suzanne went to her room and reached under her bed. She snapped the cap, the pills tumbling into her hand. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she looked at the colors she cupped and thought about her family. She knew she couldn’t kill herself without saying good-bye. Suzanne heard the front door open. Her housemate had returned. It was time to call Dr. Madison. She didn’t want to. But now she had another fear, a greater fear that gave her courage. She was afraid of what would happen if she didn’t pick up the phone. That call may have saved her life. Suzanne is among the growing number of college students suffering from depression. In the 2004 National College Health Assessment, 18.5 percent of students reported being diagnosed with this illness, a percentage similar to that at UNC Charlotte. Of all the students surveyed, about 45 percent reported feel-ing so depressed at some time that it was difficult to function. Of those stu-dents, 10 percent seriously considered suicide and about 1 percent attempted it. Based on a 2004 survey, Suzanne is one of an estimated 3,600 UNC Charlotte students who has been diagnosed with depression and one of about 2,000 who is projected to have seriously considered suicide. According to Richard Kadison, chief of mental health at Harvard Univer-sity Health Services, today’s students are arriving on campus with more psychological problems than those from previous generations. The reasons, he says, are varied. They are more likely to be children of divorce or have experimented with drugs, alcohol and sex. They worry about college costs, grades and terrorism, he notes in the Dec. 10, 2004, issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education, “The Mental-Health Crisis: What Colleges Must Do.” And they are more likely to have received psychiatric treatment in high school. Most mental health professionals concur that thanks to new medications, students who previously never would have been able to do so now attend college. However, Kadison notes, many more students are unaware that they have problems and thus, don’t seek help. “They consider what they are experiencing a weakness and don’t realize that they can’t just will themselves to be better, any more than diabetics can will themselves to produce more insulin,” he wrote in The Chronicle. To reach those students seeking help – as well as to those who aren’t – UNC Charlotte’s Counseling Center offers dozens of workshops each year. Staff members take their presentations and pamphlets on such topics as stress management and healthy life styles to the residence halls, learning communities, athletics teams and Greek organizations. That was how Suzanne learned about the Counseling Center. Beginning in junior high and escalating in high school, she had suffered bouts of depression and feel-ings of being overwhelmed. To cope, she used positive strategies – journaling and being in sports – but also negative ones – developing an eating disorder and cutting herself. Emotional fights with her divorced mother, who believed everything would be all right, exacerbated the situation. continued on next page Counseling Center psychologist Frank Bettoli says students usually find it a relief to talk about the stress in their lives and find direction on managing it. ℡ 14 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ F E A T U R E A R T I C L E The dark at the end of the tunnel By Gina Carroll Howard Study pressures, relationship problems, late nights and little sleep – all are college students’ rights of passage. However, more and more frequently, students aren’t able to just shrug off daily stressors. Instead, they’re overwhelmed to the point all they see is Although a real student and counselor at UNC Charlotte, “Suzanne’s” and “Dr. Madison’s” real names and other identifying details have been changed to protect Suzanne’s privacy. stock photo: not a UNC Charlotte student F E A T U R E A R T I C L E ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 17 Resident students have additional lifelines. With nearly 800 programs ranging from workshops that build skills or cope with stress, to social programs or community service opportunities, the residential environment is designed to foster student connec-tions both to campus resources and to each other. When that connection breaks down, specially trained resident advisors (R.A.s) on every floor are the first resources. In a crisis, the R.A. would call senior Housing and Residence Life staff, who would work with mental health professionals to assess the student’s needs. Because of legal restrictions, the Counseling Center staff cannot notify parents of stu-dents over 18 without the student’s permission. The staff of Housing and Residence Life must also abide by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which prohibits the release of a student’s medical records – even to parents. However, the law does allow for parental contact in the case of emergency and based upon the circumstances surrounding the student situation. Housing staff determines whether parental contact is appropriate. Allan Blattner, associate director for staff and student development, is one of the Department of Housing and Residence Life administrators who weighs a student’s right to privacy with the need to involve parents. While The Counseling Center serves as the student’s advocate, Housing and Residence Life advocates both for the student and for the entire campus community. Blattner must determine what is best not only for that student, but for the residential community affected by that student. “There’s a lot going on in the halls, lots of energy and potential distractions. While this is just the right environment for most, it may not necessarily be the right place for students in crisis,” Blattner points out. “Sometimes, after consultation with the doctors, students do not return to the residence halls. Other times, we work with the Counseling Center and other community professionals who monitor the students to help ensure they receive the treatment they need while living on campus.” Sometimes taking a semester off is what a student needs before getting the neces-sary help upon returning to campus, agrees David Spano, Counseling Center director. Other times, a directed plan combining counseling and medication is effective. Yet, many people are hesitant to share suicidal thoughts, MacNair-Semands notes, adding that those who do join a therapy group with people who have had the same thoughts find it can be relieving. “It doesn’t mean you’re weak if you don’t do it on your own,” she insists. “It’s a sign of strength to walk through the door and talk to a stranger about very intimate feelings.” Suzanne feels she has that strength now. It’s been a gradual process, she says, one that’s been hard, and one that has required a lot of work. She’s thankful she had the support of family, friends, teachers and a therapist she trusted. To be successful, she had to learn to love herself. “I had to rewire my thinking,” Suzanne explains. “Now, when I’m going through stressful times, it’s a matter of looking at it in a positive way. It’s not the easiest thing to do. Things happen, but I’m much healthier, not just physically but spiritually and emotionally. I experience depression occasionally like the average person does, and I have better ways of dealing with it. It’s hard sometimes, but it’s part of life.” SIGNS OF STRESS IN STUDENTS ▪ Social isolation, withdrawal, lethargy ▪ Inability to focus on a specific topic in a conversation or activity ▪ Disorganized thinking and speech, feelings that are inappropriate to the situation or other evidence that student is “out of touch with reality” ▪ Expression of feelings of persecution, strong mistrust of others ▪ Violent outbursts ▪ Signs of excessive alcohol or drug use ▪ Expressions of general unhappiness over a period of several weeks ▪ Frequent class absence or “disappearance” over extended periods ▪ Gain or loss of significant amounts of weight ▪ Abrupt change in manner, style or personal hygiene ▪ Increasing dependence on you or others ▪ Marked anxiety, extreme restlessness, inability to concentrate or relax ▪ Marked decrease or increase in appetite ▪ Marked decrease or increase in sleep ▪ Loss of interest in formerly pleasurable or meaningful activities, such as classes, social life, intimate relationships ▪ Expression of irrational fears ▪ Physical complaints without a medical cause, such as headache, stomach pains, etc. ▪ Unusual ritualistic or repetitive behavior ▪ Chronic fatigue ▪ Suicidal thoughts, plans, threats ▪ Overwhelming financial obligations the tunnel UNC CHARLOTTE’S COUNSELING CENTER The UNC Charlotte Counseling Center provides confidential, free short-term individual and group counseling; consultation for faculty, staff, parents and students; and educational programs to the campus community. Information on the Counseling Center’s services; help for concerned faculty, staff, parents and friends; an online screening program; self-help information and links to other mental-health resources are all available online at www.counselingcenter.uncc.edu/. To contact the center, stop by Atkins 158 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call 704-687-2105. 16 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ F E A T U R E A R T I C L E “She didn’t realize how hard it was for me,” Suzanne remembers. “She thought I could just stop. Being an athlete probably saved me.” As a UNC Charlotte student athlete – and because of her history, Suzanne was required to attend a proactive program her freshman year. Through this program, she met Madison. Suzanne’s deteriorating family situation and past issues that had returned to haunt her were wearing her down, so she asked the nutritionist to contact Madison. “Society makes you feel that you must be crazy if you go to a therapist, but I’d gotten tired of it interrupt-ing my life,” Suzanne says of the depression. “I figured the intelligent decision was to use the resources here.” Suzanne’s willingness to try therapy was a success for the center’s outreach programs. “It’s usually something of a relief to talk about what’s going on and find some direction on how to manage it,” says Frank Bettoli, one of seven licensed doctoral-level psychologists on the Counseling Center staff. Bettoli says one of the center’s goals is to normal-ize the counseling experience and reduce the stigma of seeking help. To raise awareness of their services, Counseling Center staff members talk to parents during Student Orientation, Advising and Registration; participate in Week of Welcome; and even stand outside at a busy campus intersection each semester offering coffee and bagels to passing students. They also teach faculty and staff how to identify and refer students they feel may have emotional, relational or behavior problems. Staff members offer information at department meetings and meet with new faculty as part of orientation. “Faculty and staff are on the frontlines with students every day,” Bettoli notes. “We are working with them to better recognize and respond to significant problems they might see in the classroom.” One empathetic faculty member made a critical difference to Suzanne. At times, Suzanne went on what she calls “autopilot,” moving into a dissociative state to just get through the day. She began to skip her morning classes and her GPA plummeted. Part of her felt bad about neglecting her responsibilities, but another part knew she had to conserve what energy she had. Her dread at facing the professor whose class she was failing grew so great, she no longer wanted to attend class on her “good” days. At her sister’s urging, Suzanne screwed up her courage and e-mailed the professor, explaining that she was experiencing some “problems.” To her relief, she found the professor to be supportive and respectful, motivating her to complete the work. “She never judged me, and it made a big difference,” Suzanne avows. Although Suzanne was in therapy, negative thoughts about herself were continual. “I felt I was a failure. I was unmotivated, fatigued. I’d just stay in bed. I had to do what I had to do to survive,” she recalls. “I couldn’t complete my workout. I’m very consistent, and that inconsistency was another failure. Nothing seemed to matter any more. Even if it were a nice, sunny day, everything felt dead, dark.” That was right before Suzanne nearly killed herself. When Dr. Madison received Suzanne’s call for help that night, she did what she does with all students who are actively suicidal: She tried to keep her safe. Hospitalization is a last resort, says Rebecca MacNair-Semands, Counseling Center associate director and clinical services coordinator. Instead, she and the other counselors encourage students to talk about their suicidal thoughts. They encourage them to call a friend and engage in coping strategies that work for them. They set up a plan to help them get through the day, then the next day, then the next week. Individual therapy ses-sions often become more frequent until things become more manageable for the student. “Having suicidal thoughts doesn’t mean a person has to act on them,” MacNair- Semands maintains. “Many people who have been experiencing suicidal thoughts for years come in and discover they can learn new strategies and tap into their own strengths and build on them.” Together the student and therapist look at the strategies the student has been using, explore why they haven’t been working and develop some new ones. But sometimes students consider acting on their suicidal thoughts. As an off-campus student, Suzanne was fortunate to have the support of Madison and her housemate to get her through the crisis. The dark at the end of Rodney Bragdon and Jocelyn Buhain, two predoctoral interns, raise awareness of the Counseling Center's services by visiting classes to talk to students. “I used to feel that my work was helping ‘save’ the world,” another shelter employee told the researchers. “Not anymore. Although I believe that euthanasia isn’t the worst thing that can happen to an animal, it’s taking a toll on my life.” In their research, Rogelberg and Reeve studied what they deemed ‘turning-point events,’ particularly positive events that spur changes in an employee’s attitude, thought process and perceived stress level. For example, shelter workers who had developed an attachment to a particular animal experienced an emotionally difficult time following its death. However, they reported feeling less distressed when animals were euthanized due to failing health. Overall, Rogelberg and Reeve found that varying levels of stress can manifest itself in a number of ways. Many of the shelter workers interviewed said that they often feel angry, sad, guilty and disgusted even though they attempt to conceal their true feelings. As a way to detach themselves from the pain and guilt that often comes from euthaniz-ing an animal, they try to emotionally detach themselves from the animals they work with each day. However, because most workers who enter the field do so because they love animals, they find this extremely difficult to do. The resulting internal conflict puts them at risk for a variety of psychological, emotional and physical ailments such as high blood pressure, depression, unresolved grief, substance abuse and suicide. “These animal shelter work-ers are performing a job that many of us wouldn’t want to do, but needs to be done given society’s neglect of dealing with the pet over-population,” says Rogelberg. “It’s a thankless, emotionally taxing and often underappreciated job.” Rogelberg and Reeve found that the highest turnover among distraught shelter workers occurred within the first year. Many reported their first euthanasia procedure was a significant turning point. The researchers feel that better recruitment and early socialization practices would help lessen the stress. Coaching and mentoring workers-in- training would help decrease turnover in first-year employees and help them form realistic job expecta-tions. The researchers further urge shelter workers to develop technical skills and competence through for-mal euthanasia training, certification programs and direct practice. Supervisors should provide timely feedback and allow employees to offer input. Additionally, shelters may need to revise their euthanasia practices. Leaving euthanized animals in the procedure room as more are put down is psychologically damaging to the workers who view this day after day. As part of a $75,000 research grant from the Humane Society of the United States, Rogelberg and Reeve have created a Shelter Diagnostic System to help animal shelters operate better. The system collects and analyzes employee attitudes, perceptions and opinions of their work environments. The system is designed to improve euthanasia practices, supervisory style, team-work, peer-support and overall morale while increasing organizational effectiveness. However, Rogelberg and Reeve say the most effective way to reduce the caregivers’ stress lies squarely with pet owners: responsible ownership would decrease the num-ber of euthanasia procedures. Proactive public awareness programs, innovative adoption programs, such as mobile adoption units, and extensive neuter assistance programs offer a positive alternative to euthanasia. “The need for euthanasia starts and ends with us,” Rogelberg says. “By treating animals humanely and engaging actively in spay and neuter programs, the need for euthanizing healthy, but unwanted, animals itself will die away over time.” • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Rogelberg’s and Reeve’s research is detailed in “The ‘care-killing paradox: Euthanasia-related strain among animal shelter workers,” which they wrote along with Christiane Spitzmuller and Natalie DiGiacomo and is in the volume 35, 2005 issue of the Journal of Applied Social Psychology. F E A T U R E A R T I C L E ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 19 “By treating animals humanely and engaging actively in spay and neuter programs, the need for euthanizing healthy, but unwanted, animals itself will die away over time.” Steven Rogelberg 18 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ F E A T U R E A R T I C L E Of the 6 to 8 million cats and dogs that enter animal shelters each year, nearly one-half are euthanized. The reasons behind these troubling statistics in a 2003 Humane Society of the United States study are varied. The magnitude of the country’s pet overpopulation, limitations on funding to create shelter facilities and the persistence of pets that are abandoned or given up have caused extensive animal euthanasia to become a tragic reality – with no signs of slowing. Yet the numbers don’t show another casualty that has been largely neglected: the thousands of people across the country who are charged with euthanizing those animals. “It’s very difficult when we are inundated from spring until fall,” laments one shelter employee. Every single person who walks through the door has one more litter of kittens. So the animal may come in the front door and go out the back.” UNC Charlotte’s Steven Rogelberg and Charlie Reeve have been studying this and other “at risk” care providers since 2000, learning about euthanasia-related stress and finding ways to promote overall shelter health. Rogelberg, an associate psychology professor and an adjunct professor in the Belk College of Business, heads up the industrial and organizational psychology program at the university. He teamed with Reeve, an assistant psychology professor, to study what they refer to as a ‘dirty work’ occupation. Reeve says that although animal care professionals are aware of the stress, little empirical research exists that would help these caregivers ease it. For several years, the professors assessed the degree of euthanasia-related stress that shelter workers experienced, its potential impact on their well-being and ways to alleviate it. They also explored the influence individual workers’ personalities, jobs and organizational differences play on the degree of euthanasia-related stress they felt. Through several exploratory studies, and with the help and cooperation of the Humane Society of the United States, Rogelberg and Reeve have come up with successful methods that animal shelters can implement to increase their employees’ overall well-being. The stress triggers that shelter workers are exposed to are uniquely different from the usual work-related stress that employees in other profes-sions experience. People entering this field say they often do so because they want to help animals. However, they discover that they are faced with a daily contradiction: acting as ‘protectors’ of these animals, while having to kill healthy but unwanted animals. This creates a ‘care-killing’ paradox. The ‘CARE-killing’ paradoX Euthanasia strains animal shelter workers By Jemi Johnson Steven Rogelberg Charlie Reeve A L U M N I N O T E S ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 21 Sybil Rinehardt ’71, ’82 M.A. has been named the interim dean of the arts and sciences division of Forsyth Technical Community College. Sybil, who has been coordinating the student success center, has been with the college full time since 1997. Jan McCombs ’76 received the American Stars of Teaching award last September. The Kannapolis middle school teacher was the only North Carolina educator who received the award. Jan, who has taught nearly 2,500 students during her career, was honored for boosting student achieve-ment by carrying out the No Child Left Behind Act. She and her husband, Keith, make their home in Kannapolis. Chuck Kitchen ’77 was named the 2004 County Attorney of the Year by the N.C. County Attorneys Association. Chuck has been Durham County’s attorney since 1996. He is past president of the N.C. County Attorneys Association and the National Association of Civil County Attorneys. Chuck has volunteered for 30 years with the American Red Cross, serving as an instructor-trainer in first aid/CPR/AED and first responder courses. Hardin Minor ’79 was invited to choreo-graph a new piece for the UNC Charlotte spring dance concert April 20-24 on the main stage in the beautiful new Robinson Hall. This is the third time that Hardin has worked with students from the Depart-ment of Dance and Theatre.He has had a distinguished career, helping to found one of Charlotte’s first modern dance compa-nies, New Reflections Dance Theatre, in 1976. He also has served for 25 years as co-artistic director of the OMIMEO Mime Theatre. In addition to teaching, performing and choreographing, Hardin has been hired by a variety of top-flight corporate and philanthropic organizations as creative consultant. He credits his edu-cation at UNC Charlotte with his success as a performing artist and says he’s always eager to return to his alma mater to work. David Elliott ’80 has joined Fuji Photo Film in Greenwood, S.C., as human resources manager of Fuji’s Graphic System Division.He is married to Karen Carpenter Elliott ’78, who is a seventh-grade language arts teacher at Northside Middle School. They reside in Greenwood with their son, Paul. Eleanor Stevens ’83 has joined the WTVI team as corporate development manager. She is responsible for securing and manag-ing the underwriting of WTVI’s program-ming, which includes PBS specials and local productions. She and her husband, Marc Woodling, and their son, Zack, make their home in Charlotte. Kris Krider ’85 was proud that the town of Davidson, for which he is planning director, has received the overall excellence in smart growth award from the EPA. This is unusual since the awards don’t usually go to the community as a whole, but rather to organizations within the community. Kris has been on the job for just a year. William Anderson ’87, a 13-year veteran of the Columbia Fire Department, has been named chief. He has been the assistant chief since 1991. William is the father of two sons, Seth, 19, and Carl, 16. William makes his home in Columbia, SC. Jeff Grigg ’87 has been promoted to director of production services at Anderson Communications in Hilton Head, S.C., where he now resides. Scott Price ’87 moved to Japan in 1990 to begin his career after receiving an M.B.A. and M.A. in Asian studies from the University of Virginia. He’s back in Japan for the third time after having lived in Malaysia, Australia and China. He is now president of DHL Japan, the largest international express company in Japan. Financial planners, car detailers, restaurant owners and chiropractors were just a few of the more than 50 alumni vendors who connected with fellow alumni during last year’s first 49er Business Fair. The UNC Charlotte Alumni Association will host the 2nd annual 49er Business Fair on Tuesday, April 19, in the Wachovia Atrium in downtown Charlotte. Food and drink, prizes and an appearance by Norm, the UNC Charlotte mascot, will add a festive air to this business opportunity. For more information, please contact the UNC Charlotte Alumni Affairs Office at 704-687-2273 or 1-800-PIK-UNCC. 20 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ A L U M N I N O T E S Urban planners Sue Schwartz ’83 M.A. and Carol Rhea ’83, ’86 M.A., and master’s planning student Megan Cummings ’99 have done a lot of building. They each have managed to design, revive and skillfully plan towns, neighborhoods, streets and key government projects. They’re also working to build a better reputation for their profession. But most importantly, the women have each built stellar reputations as leaders in a historically male-dominated profession. The women hold offices in the nation’s largest organization for planners, the American Planning Association (APA). Schwartz is president-elect of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), the 14,000-member professional institute of APA; Rhea serves on the APA board of directors as the Region II director; and Cummings, who is now a graduate student at the University of Southern California, is chair of the Student Representative Council and advisor to the APA board. “It is unprecedented to have three people from one institution in key leadership positions for the APA on the national level,” said Owen Furuseth, associate provost for metropolitan studies and extended academic programs at UNC Charlotte, who knew Schwartz and Rhea as students. “Their progression in their careers is really a proud moment for our program.” The women also represent a growing population of females in the planning profession. According to a 2004 APA survey, women represent 34 percent of the profession, up from 28 percent in 1995. Schwartz is the first woman in a decade to become AICP president-elect and the first in APA history from North Carolina. Schwartz, Rhea and Cummings are also very well-respected. As Greensboro’s chief of neighborhood planning, Schwartz is known for leading the revitalization of several of Greensboro’s abandoned and historic areas and for creating High Point’s first greenway. Rhea, the president of her own consulting firm, has years of experience in government planning and administration at the local, regional and state levels in Florida and North Carolina. As a graduate student, Cummings is working toward becoming a transportation planner. She has interned with the Civic Enterprise Associates and Metrans Transportation Center in Los Angeles. Although a passion for the profession connected them, it was fate and mutual friends that brought Rhea and Schwartz together more than 20 years ago at UNC Charlotte. Several years later they reunited in service to their profession, working on committees and holding office in the North Carolina chapter and eventually serving adjacent terms as president. Cummings, who recently met Rhea and Schwartz during a summer retreat in Utah, affectionately refers to them as her mentors. “I’m so appreciative that Carol and Sue have taken me under their wing,” she said. “I’m fortunate to be able to learn from them.” Building great careers is not the only goal these planners have. They are also working to create a more positive reputation for their profession and encourage fellow planners to feel good about their work. Rhea says people tend to think of planners as bureaucrats and see them as obstacles. But she said it’s a planner’s responsibility to think about the impact of decisions on an entire community – not just on individual projects or organizations. “Not all decisions planners make are popular. We must look at the bigger picture and keep in mind that we are often planning for people who aren’t even born yet. Planning for future pop-ulations and growth sometimes conflicts with what people want today,” Rhea said. “Planners are some of the most self-deprecating people, and we have to encourage one another to be proud of our accomplishments.” Fursueth agrees and says they’re in good positions to change public perceptions. He notes the three are great ambassadors for the profession and UNC Charlotte. “We’ve got wonderful graduates across the state and the U.S., but in this case when you see your students develop, and they are on the national stage helping to shape urban policy and areas related to planning, it’s quite rewarding.” – Natasha Ashe-Suber ALUMNAE PLAN FOR TOMORROW Sue Schwartz Carol Rhea Megan Cummings A L U M N I N O T E S ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 23 Mary Hagerty Ward ’90 has assumed the newly-created position of training and edu-cation director for the Mecklenburg County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. She oversees local grant opportunities for programs dealing with alcohol abuse/edu-cation/ prevention and underage alcohol issues, including college campus life. She lives with her husband, Stephen, and daughter, Molly, in Charlotte. Mark Helm ’92 has taken a new position as senior vice president and general counsel for OpBiz, LLC d/b/a Aladdin Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Prior to joining OpBiz, Mark was vice president and gen-eral counsel of Planet Hollywood Interna-tional, Inc., an international brand company based in Orlando, Fla. He and his wife, Carrie, live in Henderson, Nev. Meldrina Chapin ’93, ’94 B.Arch. is com-pleting her Ph.D. at the University of Wis-consin- Milwaukee. She has received a 2004-2005 American Institute of Architects Arthur N. Tuttle Jr. Graduate Fellowship in Health Facility Planning and Design, which supports her research to complete her disser-tation. Meldrina’s research is entitled “Creat-ing Innovative Places: Organizational and Architectural Case Studies of the Culture Change Movement in Long-Term Care.” Elmer Atienza ’94 is helping residents at St. Joseph of the Pines Health Center in South-ern Pines with personal works of art. Previ-ously, Elmer has studied architecture abroad and worked in commercial interior design, on custom residences and on large projects with city planners. He also invented, devel-oped and marketed the JYMMY towel clip. Still pursuing his education and exploring the job market, Elmer drew on his experience working on the Art with Elders Program in California to initiate the art program for health center residents at St. Joseph. Michelle Durner ’94, ’97 B.S. has been promoted to president of Applied Medical Services, LLC after five years as the compa-ny’s CFO. Michelle makes her home in Durham with her husband, Daniel. Byron Dinkins ’95 signed with ABA Car-olina Thunder for the fall season. Byron previously played basketball in Europe. Chris Nesbitt ’95 of the Kannapolis Police Department has been promoted to sergeant and has begun his new responsi-bilities as a field supervisor of Patrol Squad B. Since joining the department in 1996, Chris has worked as a patrol officer, field training officer and felony investigator. He also is a tactical officer with the agency’s special response team. He and his wife, Lori Basinger Nesbitt ’96, make their home in Kannapolis. Sara Ellington Behnke ’96 reports that her lifelong dream came true when her friend, Stephanie Triplett, and she signed a con-tract with a publisher for their book The Mommy Chronicles: Conversations Sharing the Comedy and Drama of Pregnancy and New Motherhood. She is publishing the book under her maiden name, Sara Elling-ton. Sara lives in Charlotte with her husband, David, and two children, Anna and Cade. Richard Hudson ’96 has been chosen as chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx. For the past six years Richard worked as Rep. Robin Hayes’ district director and deputy chief of staff. He also managed Hayes’ last two re-election campaigns. Richard served on the UNC Charlotte Alumni Board of Governors, was class president 1993-94, and was chair of the Triangle Chapter of Alumni. Richard lives in Washington, D.C Derek Catsam ’96 has taken a job as assis-tant professor at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas. He works on modern U.S. and African history with an emphasis on race, politics and social history. He also does work on global terrorism and on sports. He received his Ph.D. from Ohio University in 2003. 22 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ A L U M N I N O T E S THE TUXEDO LADY SELLS STYLE More than a decade ago, while dining out with her father, LaShanda Millner-Murphy ’88 overheard a man trying to convince another to buy his formalwear shop. Before leaving the restaurant, Millner-Murphy slipped the owner her business card and asked that he consider selling his business to her. Two years later, he did, and “Tuxedo Lady” not only is the name of her shop but the moniker by which Millner-Murphy is affectionately known. When customers enter the Tuxedo Lady, Millner-Murphy flashes her huge signature smile and offers a friendly welcome. She doesn’t just allow them to browse the tuxedo-clad mannequins on display, but provides a tutorial on style and colors and suggestions on what to wear for certain occasions. She says that’s one of the main reasons she opened a business for men – they appreciate her expertise. “Men sometimes don’t think of the finer details,” said Millner- Murphy. “They appreciate my female perspective and expertise in this business… I often joke that I’m the ‘other woman’ in their lives.” Whether it’s lecturing teenage boys on how to order pants that fit their waists (“not hanging off their butts,” she says with a laugh), chasing a UPS driver all over town to ensure a timely delivery or special ordering 18 tuxedos for bridesmaids, Millner-Murphy has the finesse and skill of any good CEO. A longtime retailer, she knows what it takes to make her clients happy and her business successful, traits she learned before leaving grade school. Growing up in Winston-Salem, Millner-Murphy always knew she’d become a business owner. Not only was it her dream, but it was expected. As young as age 6, she remembers helping her father, who has always been an entrepreneur, in one of his several businesses. Two years before enrolling at UNC Charlotte to study business administra-tion, she launched her own ladies boutique. While a student, she returned to her hometown on weekends to manage her business. Despite classes and operating her own company, Millner- Murphy became involved in campus activities, including student government and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was one of the university’s first Gold Duster dance members. She remains involved with her alma mater, currently serving as chair of the events commit-tee for the Alumni Board of Governors, vice president of the univer-sity’s Black Alumni Chapter and a volunteer with the APPLE Project that pairs alumni with teachers who graduated from UNC Charlotte. Millner-Murphy says the continued involvement with UNC Charlotte and the business administration degree she earned at the university has helped to enhance the skills that her father instilled early on. “My father raised me in an entrepreneurial environment,” she said. “He taught me to have my own business, not just to be my own boss. The opportunity forces you to be resourceful and to use your own creativity instead of relying on someone else’s ideas.” Her father’s advice paid off. The formalwear shop, located in the appropriately named Wedding Mall in Charlotte, has recently expanded to two satellite locations in uptown Charlotte and Concord. – Natasha Ashe-Suber Ahmed Daniels ’89 is the founder of Cre-ative Interchange, an organization created to encourage and facilitate non-blaming experiential workshops for persons of different ethnic groups. The 100 Black Men of America has recognized him for his leadership, dedication and commitment to this youth male mentoring program. Ahmed has served as facilitator for two of former Gov. Jim Hunt’s N.C. Initiative on Race conferences. He makes his home in Charlotte. Sherry Bright ’89 has been named execu-tive director of Family Resources, Inc. Sherry has been with Family Resources 14 years, most recently serving as the develop-ment director. She makes her home in Ellenboro with her husband, Brannon, and two children, Montana and McCray. Mike Legg ’89 has accepted a permanent position as city manager of Kannapolis after serving as interim city manager. Mike makes his home in Concord. Dean Belk ’90 has started Allied Consult-ing Engineers, which specializes in build-ing design. Dean is living in Denver, N.C., with his wife, Karissa, and daughter Cassie, 12, and son Will, 10. A L U M N I N O T E S ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 25 her experiences and her relationships with teammates and friends. Amber says that attending UNC Charlotte was one of the best things she has done. Births Wendy Atkinson Simmons ’92 and her husband, Robert Brad Simmons ’92, proudly announce the birth of their first child, Gage Robert Simmons, in August 2004. Wendy works for Carolinas Healthcare System, and Brad works for Carolina Trust Bank. The family resides in Huntersville. Lynette Lockley ’98 and Myron Cloud proudly announce the birth of their son, Marcus Gabriel, on Oct. 20, 2004. Lynette is a medical staff coordinator at Carolinas Med-ical Center.The family resides in Charlotte. Michelle Torres Kitchen ’98 and her husband, Ryan Kitchen, proudly announce the birth of their son, Drake Vincent McKenzie Kitchen, on Aug. 6, 2004. The family lives in Charlotte. Rebecca Batcho Brittain ’98 and Barry Brittain ’98 are excited to announce the birth of their son, Aiden Elmer Brittain, on Nov. 22, 2004. The family lives in Catawba. Heather Rigsbee Lampe ’00 is a stay-at-home mother for her daughter, Reaghan Michelle Lampe, who will be two in July. Heather says she, her husband, Chad, and Reaghan are living the good life in Fort Worth, Texas. Anna Narolewska Westmoreland ’00 has opened the Law Office of Anna N. West-moreland on Monroe Road in Charlotte. She and her husband, Thomas Westmore-land III ’01, make their home in Oakboro. Jon Wickersham ’00 has a new position at NPower Charlotte Region, a non-profit technical assistance organization in Charlotte. Jon made his way back to the Charlotte area from Delaware. Lea Anderson ’01 has earned a master’s of fine arts degree in computer arts/motion graphics from The Savannah College of Art and Design. Lea makes her home in Savannah, Ga. Christie Sears ’01, account supervisor for Walker Marketing and vice president of programs for the Business Marketing Asso-ciation of the Carolinas, has been desig-nated a Certified Business Communicator. This credential recognizes high standards of professionalism, education, experience and professional conduct in the field of business-to-business marketing and com-munications. To date, only 3,000 individ-uals nationwide have received this honor. Christie resides in Charlotte. Jennifer Hatley ’01, ’03 M.Acc. is employed by Bank of America as a finan-cial analyst and officer in the Corporate Cost Accounting Group. She serves as treasurer for the Miss Stanly County Scholarship Pageant Association and volunteers with the American Diabetes Association. Jennifer lives in Oakboro. Brian Sheehan ’02 is owner and president of Charlotte Swim Club Management. In only its third year of operation, the com-pany manages eight pools between exits 23 and 28 off I-77 including those at Birkdale and Jetton Cove. Brian resides in Huntersville. Amber Beam ’02 received her master’s in industrial organizational psychology in May 2004 from George Mason University in Virginia. Amber is an associate at Caliber Associates, a consulting firm in Fairfax, Va. Paula Bishop ’02, ’03 B.Arch. has accepted a position as an intern architect with Atelier Architects in Washington, D.C. She makes her home in Rockville, Md. Clay Aiken ’03 was busy in 2004. He released a 2005 calendar, a book called Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life about his journey from being a UNC Charlotte student to becoming a pop star, and a holiday album. Also, for the second consecutive year, he sang to Miss America contestants at the annual pageant in Atlantic City. This time, he serenaded the winner with the runway standard “There She Is.” Balemba Kubuanu ’03 and his wife Anne Kubuanu ’03 started The Global, Hope, Peace & Health Incorporated. They intend for the nonprofit to provide a medium through which to expose the Charlotte community to the plight and unique health issues of the Congo, its culture, food and people. Balemba and Anne are enrolled in our Masters of Science Program of Community Health Nursing. The couple resides in Charlotte. Matthew Cianella ’04 has been hired by Arthur Wylie ’99 as wealth manager at Arthur Wylie Wealth Management Group and Capital Realty Group where he interned during 2003-2004. Matthew makes his home in Charlotte. Will Lawrence ’04 became the third son and fifth family member to graduate from UNC Charlotte. Others are brother, Drew, and his wife, Jennifer Miller Lawrence, who graduated in ’97, and brother Clint ’97 and his wife, Kristi Davis Lawrence ’00. Will continues on at UNC Charlotte as a graduate student pursuing a master’s in photo-chemistry. All the Lawrence sons were Kappa Sigma Fraternity members. Marriages Pete Overcash ’01 was married to Christina Driscoll on May 29, 2004, at the Duke University Chapel in Durham. Pete plans to graduate in May with a master’s of divinity from Duke and is currently serving as a pastor in the Western North Carolina Con-ference of the United Methodist Church. Pete and Chrissy reside in Chapel Hill. Births Matt Towery ’00 and Caroline Ha Tow-ery ’00 are happy to announce the birth of their daughter, Reeves Madeline Towery, on Nov. 7, 2004. Matt and Caroline are both mechanical engineers and real estate brokers in the Charlotte area. Janet Lawlor ’03 and her husband, Phillip Lawlor, are the proud parents of a girl. Evie Grace Lawlor was born on April 15, 2004. Janet is now a full-time mother. The family resides in Knoxville, Tenn. What have you been up to lately? Changed jobs? Had a baby? Maybe you’ve been elected to the city council or have been doing a lot of volunteer work. Whether you’ve been made CEO or a new parent, we want to hear from you. Visit the Alumni Affairs Web site at www.uncc49er.net and tell us what you’ve been doing. Or write Alumni Affairs, UNC Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 LET US HEAR FROM YOU 24 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ A L U M N I N O T E S Marriages Christopher Crowell ’93 married Lori Raso on Aug. 28, 2004. Christopher works in advertising sales for The Star-Ledger in Newark, N.J., the 15th largest newspaper in the country. The Crowells reside in Bedminster, N.J. Laura Hill ’90 married Douglas Reece ’97 on Oct. 2, 2004. The happy couple has moved to Greenville, S.C., where Laura is director of development for St. Francis Hospital. Doug has been promoted to senior vice president in Wachovia’s Risk Management Group. Nalan Karakaya ’97 married Gerrit Mulder on Sept. 6, 2004, in Istanbul, Turkey. Nalan is vice president in Consumer Risk Management at Bank of America. The couple lives in Charlotte. Jennifer Caldwell ’97 married Mark Williams on Oct. 2, 2004. Jennifer is a registered nurse in the Geriatric Psychiatric Unit at Northeast Medical Center. The Williamses reside on Lake Norman. Laura Hughes ’97 married Gregory Reece on March 19, 2004. The couple resides in Antioch, Tenn. Clint Lawrence ’97 and Drew Lawrence ’97 are working in the family business, Lawrence and Associates, a professional surveying and engineering firm in Monroe. Drew and his wife, Jennifer Miller Lawrence ’97, live in Monroe. Clint and his wife, Kristi Davis Lawrence ’00, live in Matthews. Meredith Alderman ’98 married Beau Johnson on May 28, 2004 in Delray Beach, Fla. Although a business graduate, she recently changed careers and is now a certi-fied math teacher at Saint Andrew’s School. The couple lives in Boynton Beach, Fla. Kristi Seamon ’98 married Robert Fal-lowes on Aug. 30, 2003. They make their home in Charlotte, where Kristi does accounting for Blue Ridge Wholesale Wine. Amber Filbeck ’99 married Shaun Hoyem on April 24, 2004. Amber has moved back to California where she is a science teacher at Serrano Intermediate (her old junior high school) in Lake Forest, Calif., and she has bought a house in nearby Mission Viejo. She says she has wonderful memo-ries of her years at UNC Charlotte. As a volleyball player, Amber got to travel and see different parts of our nation and experience different cultures. She treasures COMPUTER PROGRAMMER “FOILS” THE COMPETITION When most people think about fencing, they head to the nearest home improvement store. Just a few years ago, Brian Toomey ’98, owner and head coach of the Charlotte Fencing Academy, probably would have, too. By day, Toomey is a computer programmer and senior developer for RR Donnelley, one of North America’s largest printing companies. By night, he trades in his business attire for a mask and coach’s jacket; and swaps his pc for an epee. The fencing expert hasn’t always been interested in the sport. In fact, the well-known, well-respected instructor says his interest was a fluke. “I needed to take an elective while a student at UNC Charlotte,” Toomey recalls. “And I thought fencing sounded pretty cool.” Toomey, a cross country runner who was involved in martial arts, admits he didn’t expect to be bent over trying to catch his breath after the first class. He says the sport is extremely challenging both physically and mentally. “It helps you to keep your wits about you and is definitely called physical chess for a reason,” he said. “If you’re quick, but don’t think tactically, you’ll become a shishkabob.” Once Toomey adjusted to the pace, he says he did well in the class and became keenly inter-ested in the sport. A short time later, he joined the UNC Charlotte fencing club and was a club officer. A couple of years later, Toomey would become a coach and teach fencing to fellow students. After receiving his computer science degree, Toomey landed a job in the field, but remained active on the local fencing circuit by attending area clubs and honing his skills. However, he never felt the clubs met his needs – and he wasn’t alone. So Toomey began The Charlotte Fencing Acad-emy, a decision he says was a good one. The academy is one of only four clubs in Charlotte and among nearly 22 similar clubs across the state. Since it started nearly three years ago, he has added five coaches and the membership has steadily increased from three to 60, mostly by word of mouth. Many of the academy’s fencers are considered among the best in the sport and have earned national honors. “We’ve increased our national medal count to six,” Toomey said. “I joke that I’m the worst fencer of the group. There are a lot of coaches who don’t do so well themselves, but coach some of the best students. We’re lucky to say we have more than a few great students.” – Natasha Ashe-Suber What are the 49 things that every 49er should know? No matter when you graduated, there are some things that connect us all to UNC Charlotte. Share what you think makes UNC Charlotte special. Send your suggestions to pubinfo@email.uncc.edu. 10. Gang Green – raising the spirit – and the temperature - in Halton Arena. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte 9201 University City Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Charlotte, NC Permit No. 949 49 things every 49er knows
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Title | UNC Charlotte : the magazine of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte for alumni and friends. |
Other Title | Magazine of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte for alumni and friends |
Date | 2005 |
Description | Vol. 12, no. 3 (spring 2005) |
Digital Characteristics-A | 2110 KB; 15 p. |
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Full Text | Sprriingg 2005 Voll.. 12 No.. 3 THE MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS For Love of the Game Volume 12, Number 3 THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE JAMES H. WOODWARD, Chancellor H.C. “SMOKY” BISSELL Chairman of the Board of Trustees VICE CHANCELLOR FOR DEVELOPMENT AND UNIVERSITY RELATIONS Thomas A. Martz ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR FOR UNIVERSITY RELATIONS Anthony T. Hoppa, APR EDITOR Gina Carroll Howard STAFF WRITERS Natasha Ashe-Suber Jemi Johnson CLASS NOTES Pat McHenry PHOTOGRAPHER Wade Bruton Sam Roberts CIRCULATION MANAGER Cathy Brown UNC Charlotte is published three times a year by The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 ISSN 10771913 Editorial offices: Reese Building, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, N.C. 28223. Telephone: 704-687-4385; FAX 704-687-6379; e-mail: gchoward@email.uncc.edu 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. 68,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $16,366 or $.24 per copy. Printed on Recycled Paper Contents Spring 2005 2 News Briefs The dark at the end of the tunnel 20 ALUMNI NOTES On The Cover A grueling regimen, intense pressure and exhausting road trips all are routine parts of college basketball. Yet to a man – and woman – coaches and players say they willingly endure that and more for the unequaled euphoria they feel when they’re on the court. S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 pg.6 For LOVE of the GAME pg.14 pg.18 The ‘CARE-killing’ paradoX Dear Alumni and Friends of UNC Charlotte, Fewer things on campus are as electrifying as the final 60 seconds of a Charlotte-Cincinnati men’s basketball game, given the spirited rivalry between these two Conference USA competitors. That was especially true on Feb. 5 when the 49ers defeated the Bearcats, 91-90 in their final contest in Halton Arena. With “March Madness” upon us, NCAA athletics brings out the best in student athletes, including our 49ers. As we go to press, the men’s team is ranked 21st in the nation in the AP poll, positioning itself for an invitation to “the big dance.” The women’s team has also had a strong season leading up to the Conference USA tournament March 3-6, hosted by UNC Charlotte this year. In the span of several decades, UNC Charlotte boasts a rich and storied basketball program that mirrors the growth and success of the university. As you’ll read on page 6, the evolution of UNC Charlotte men’s and women’s basketball reflects more than scores and statistics. It reflects the mission of your university to provide students with a complete education, including lessons in integrity and the opportunity to compete at the highest level in athletics. As we complete our final season in Conference USA, we can look back with pride on our how far we’ve come – and point to an exciting future with the Atlantic 10 Conference this fall. As thrilling as collegiate athletics are – for players and fans alike – they are only part of the university experience. Education will always be the core of UNC Charlotte’s mission. Yet sometimes, the rigors of academic study collide with the pressures of daily life, creating unhealthy stress and behaviors in students’ lives, as you’ll learn on page 14. The increase in depression and other mental illnesses on campuses across the nation is a trend that is being addressed at UNC Charlotte. Fortunately, our Counseling Center offers a level of assistance that helps our students manage life issues to achieve their highest potential. Stress isn’t limited to student life, however. Two UNC Charlotte professors are conducting critical research among employees who confront the “care-killing” paradox in animal shelters and clinics – brought on by the explosive growth of unwanted pets that must be euthanized (page 18). Regrettably, every community is affected by this problem, and the findings of this research will help those who perform this job better cope with the effects of putting cats and dogs to sleep. This level of research – and its impact on the quality of life for others – is a hallmark of UNC Charlotte. Professors and students across all disciplines continue to ask “why” in their quest to discover new products, solutions and processes that we often take for granted. Your continuing support of UNC Charlotte helps make such learning possible, which in turn drives the research and discovery process. On behalf of all UNC Charlotte students and faculty, thank you for helping us make a difference. Sincerely yours, James H. Woodward Chancellor F A L L / W I N T E R 2 0 0 3 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 N E W S B R I E F S ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 3 New meteorology degree helps to meet an increasing demand UNC Charlotte has done more than just talk about the weather. Last fall, the university began its new meteorology degree program within the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences. UNC Charlotte is now the only school within 100 miles of the “Queen City” to offer a bachelor’s degree in meteorology. The program focuses on three areas of meteorology: air pollution, weather forecasting and tropical meteorology. It meets a growing demand for more meteorologists in the U.S. Air Force and for the new NBC weather channel that will have its home base in Charlotte. For more information about the program, contact the geography and earth sciences department at (704) 687-2293 or visit the Web site http://personal.uncc.edu/betherto/metdeg.htm. Coach shares tips for success Coaches, parents and aspiring basketball greats will find all they need to know about the tactics and techniques needed to create outstanding players and winning teams in The Basketball Handbook. The author, former UNC Charlotte coach Lee Rose, describes drills and special tips for executing them. His perfor-mance rating system identifies individual player strengths and weaknesses, and throughout the book Rose explains how to build on those strengths and minimize those weaknesses to take each player and team to its potential. The 264-page paperback, available in bookstores and online, has received glowing reviews from pro coaches and players as well as library and trade publications. For additional information, visit www.coachleerose.com. Master’s in social work gains national accreditation The four-year-old master’s of social work program has been nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The program’s accreditation ensures that agencies and organizations throughout the country will recognize that UNC Charlotte students completing the degree have received the highest quality training. This competitive MSW program enrolls 30 students each year for the 60 credit-hour program. The program’s service area includes North Carolina’s Piedmont from Greensboro to Asheville, and students serve in a wide variety of more than 100 area settings for supervised field instruction. For more information, visit www.health.uncc.edu/sowk. TIAA-CREF funds doctoral fellowships TIAA-CREF has established a doctoral fellowship program for students at UNC Charlotte in three areas of study: optical science and engineering, applied mathematics and information technology. The scholarships will be used to recruit out-standing stu-dents who have demonstrated the potential to make a significant contribution to their pro-fessions and to society after completing their degrees. They provide support to newly admitted students for their first year of doctoral study. UNC Charlotte/TIAA-CREF fellows will receive a $25,000 stipend plus tuition. Fellows also will have an opportunity for a paid internship with TIAA-CREF during the course of their academic study. Further information is available from the Graduate School at (704) 687-3368, mmareesa@email.uncc.edu. or www.uncc.edu/gradmiss/index.asp. 2 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ N E W S B R I E F S Art professor makes money and history When it comes to university contributions, many often think of research in the fields of math, science or technology. But Jamie Franki, associate professor of illustration and design, has made a very visible, albeit understated, contribution to the U.S. economy – the design of the nation’s newest coin. Franki’s rendering of an American bison, which is reminiscent of the venerable Buffalo Nickel, is featured on the “reverse” side of the new nickel. It is one of three new designs in the 2005 Westward Journey Nickel Series. About 800 million of the coins will be struck and will become part of the roughly 18.9 billion nickels in circulation. For additional information or to access photographs of the newly designed nickel, please visit the U.S. Mint Web site at www.usmint.gov. Luncheon raises money for women’s athletics Many of the most influential women in the Charlotte area supported women’s athletics during the Charlotte 49ers first “Let Me Play” luncheon in November. The innovative event, which was sponsored by Wachovia, raised $62,000. “Let Me Play” spotlighted the importance of athletics in women’s development and illustrated the doors that have been opened, due, in part, to women’s participation in athletics. It also emphasized the qualities that athletic involvement instills in women. Virtual reality expert joins the College of Information Technology A renowned expert in virtual reality and 3-D imaging has joined the faculty as the Bank of America Endowed Chair in Information Technology. William Ribarsky, the first recipient of the endowed professorship, is a former associate director at the Graphics Visualization and Visibility Center at the Georgia Institute of Technology. His primary research includes work in virtual reality, bioinformatics and 3-D imaging of high resolution terrain. Ribarsky is in charge of creating a data visualization center at UNC Charlotte that opened this spring. This interdisciplinary program will use computer graphics to interpret data across various disciplines and will become a new department within the College of Information Technology. The center will analyze such things as atmospheric data useful to meteorologists in predicting the weather, genetic data for the upcoming bioinformatics center at UNC Charlotte and banking data that will be important for Charlotte’s banking industry. Boyd Davis honored for dedication to students’ professional development For her personal commitment to each graduate student, her enthusiasm and belief that every young person has the ability to succeed, Boyd Davis has been awarded the 2005 Harshini V. de Silva Graduate Mentor Award. Davis takes her students’ thinking seriously and treats them as the professionals they desire to be. She believes that each graduate student contributes some-thing of value. This makes her mentoring exceptionally effective. Davis, a Bonnie E. Cone Professor of Teaching and English professor, is an accomplished scholar and adjunct gerontology professor. She has written several books and numerous scholarly journal articles on historical, compar-ative and applied linguistics. In addition to her scholar-ship, Davis also co-produced the Charlotte section of “Voices of North Carolina,” a PBS documentary about the state’s language heritage. She joined the UNC Charlotte faculty in 1970, received the Bank of America Award for Teaching Excellence in 1977 and was named to a Bonnie Cone Distinguished Professorship in 1997. The Chancellor’s Office and the Graduate School presented Davis with the award Feb. 15 in memory of Harshini de Silva, an associate professor of biology who was dedicated to the academic and professional development of her graduate students. Jamie Franki “American bison” design ch osen for new 2005 nickel English professor Boyd Davis celebrated receiving the Harshini V. de Silva Graduate Mentor Award with her husband, Dick (left) and Chancellor Jim Woodward. $ N E W S B R I E F S ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 5 Dennis Bunker, III ’81, and his wife, Kathryn, established the Dennis N. Bunker, III Endowed Scholarship in Economics, perpetuating their loyal support of his alma mater. The scholarship will benefit economics students with demonstrated finan-cial need and good academic standing. Dennis previously established the Bunker Land Group, LLC Geography Scholarship for students with an interest in economic geography. He graduated from UNC Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in economics and currently owns and manages Bunker Land Group, LLC, specializing in site selection services for builder and developer clients. Bunker’s generosity does not stop with his monetary donations. He also gives his time to the university by serving on the Alumni Board of Governors. Sandra Bailey has included the Nila and Stokley Bailey PFLAG Scholarship, which honors her parents, in her estate planning. Harold “Ham” Morris established this scholarship in memory of his foster son, Gary, who died in 1991. Candidates for the scholarship include those students who identify themselves as gay or lesbian, or who express an interest in gay and lesbian studies. Nila and Stokley Bailey co-founded the Charlotte chapter of the national organization of Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). Chuck Lynch, UNC Charlotte’s vice chancellor for student affairs, says the Baileys were invaluable in the gay and lesbian community, providing support, advocacy, and services to parents and family members. He also mentions that the scholarship helps the university demonstrate support of its gay and lesbian population. An anonymous donor has awarded UNC Charlotte a grant in the amount of $20,000. The money purchased eight new laptop computers for the J. Murrey Atkins Library. The computers are a part of the library’s loaner program, which allows students to check out laptops for personal use. This vital program serves as an important aid for students who need portable computers to access the Internet without wires or to assist with a class presentation. Significant support for the university is coming from all quarters. Here’s a look at some recent gifts and pledges from individuals, corporations and foundations. Gifts to the university received between July 1998 and June 30, 2005 count towards the It Takes A Gift Campaign for UNC Charlotte. Together, we are shaping what’s ahead. UNC President Molly Broad (second from left) joined UNC Charlotte Chancellor Jim Woodward (left) and C.D. "Dick" Spangler, UNC president emeritus, as Sally and Russell Robinson cut the ribbon to dedicate the university's new performing arts center that was named in their honor. 4 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ F A C U L T Y B R I E F S Three UNC Charlotte professors share “Voices of North Carolina” “Voices of North Carolina,” a PBS documentary, takes viewers into living rooms, schools, workplaces and on front porches to highlight the state’s unique and diverse language heritage. UNC Charlotte English professors Boyd Davis, Malin Pereira and Sam Watson were interviewed for the program. The documentary, produced by N.C. State University professors Walt Wolfram and Neal Hutcheson, is narrated by UNC system president emeritus William C. Friday. The pro-gram spotlights different regional and ethnic dialects across North Carolina. Davis co-produced the Charlotte section of the documentary along with Pereira and Watson. The hour-long documen-tary includes information about the Cherokee language, Outer Banks brogue, Lumbee and African-American English heard across the state. “Voices of North Carolina” also features vignettes on the unique dialects of the North Carolina mountains and city communities, and highlights the growing Spanish-speaking population. Information from the program will be used to produce books and curriculum for use in public schools across the state. For more information visit www.talkingnc.com/index.htm. Aulette, Eldridge receive Fulbright Scholar awards Judy Aulette, an associate sociology professor, and Michael Eldridge, a philosophy professor, were honored as 2004 visiting Fulbright scholars for their academic, professional achievement and leadership skills. Eldridge and Aulette are among 800 U.S. faculty and profes-sionals who traveled abroad for the 2004-2005 acade-mic year through the Fulbright Scholar Program. Aulette lectured on women’s health issues, the sociology of gender, family policy and research meth-ods at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa, where Desmund Tutu is chancellor of the uni-versity. She also conducted research on women’s grass-roots activism around issues involving housing, poverty and AIDS. At UNC Charlotte, Aulette teaches courses on gender, feminist thought and family policy, and is an adjunct professor in the women’s studies program. Eldridge taught at the University of Szeged, Hun-gary, where he lectured on pragmatic moral theory. He specializes in social and political philosophy and has taught courses on American philosophy, biblical his-tory, critical thinking and ethics. Psychology professors offer healthy ways to deal with bereavement Coping with the loss of a loved one and dealing with grief is an experience many people cope with daily. Lawrence Calhoun and Richard Tedeschi, UNC Charlotte clinical psychology professors, have discovered coping mechanisms that can help. They say the pain experienced following the loss of a child may follow with posttraumatic growth. This positive consequence can manifest itself in several ways that include changes in one’s attitude, relationships with others, life priorities and spirituality. Calhoun and Tedeschi have written two books that offer helpful information for the bereaved. Trauma and Transformation and Facilitating Posttraumatic Growth speak about the grief process and ways to deal with loss. For more information, contact (704) 687-4731 or visit www.psych.uncc.edu/. The usefulness of hydrogen gets reality check The hydrogen economy, a future energy system based primarily on hydrogen as opposed to fossil fuels, is attracting increasing interest from scientists, policymakers and industry. Daniel Rabinovich, an associate professor of chemistry at UNC Charlotte, is studying the opportunities and challenges hydrogen faces as a potential energy source. He is conducting research on hydrogenase, a family of bacterial enzymes that produce hydrogen and could accelerate the realization of a hydrogen economy. For more information, contact Rabinovich at drabinov@email.uncc.edu Research Quick Links Single-season records men’s Most wins in a season 28 in 1976-77 Fewest wins in a season 5 in 1967-68 5 in 1984-85 Most losses in a season 23 in 1984-85 Fewest losses in a season 3 in 1974-75 women’s Most wins in a season 24 in 1990 Fewest wins in a season 3 in 1977 Most losses in a season 21 in 1999 Fewest losses in a season 6 in 1979, 1980 and 1991 continued next page When Bonnie Cone hired Harvey Murphy in 1965 as physical education department chair, he knew that being the part-time basketball coach was part of his job – temporarily. However, UNC Charlotte’s first chancellor, Dean Colvard, had other plans. He understood the critical role sports could play in galvanizing faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community. Because of basketball’s visibility in North Carolina and his own experience at both Mississippi State and N.C. State, Colvard determined to make the sport the centerpiece of the new university’s athletics program. Murphy, who had both played and coached college ball, relished the opportu-nity to help build a university and the recently renamed 49ers athletics program. However, he faced some daunting challenges. “For two years, we didn’t have the same basketball team for any two semesters,” he says, noting that at the end of his first semester, he lost six players when their grades fell below the mandatory C average. “I had no trouble finding players who were academically sound, but had trouble selling them on coming to a school without a playing facility and housing.” But Ben Basinger ’71 was sold. One of Murphy’s stellar players both on and off the court, he remembers driving up the mountains to a game in a drafty bus with a blanket over his head studying organic chemistry. “No one loved the game more than I did,” says Basinger, who heads sales and marketing in a six-county area for Rental Service Corp.“We took pride in wearing the uniform and representing the university. We knew we were pioneers and setting the reputation and standards.” From Murphy, Basinger learned ball-handling skills plus lessons in integrity. Excitement was palpable on campus in 1969 when the 49ers had its first winning season, captured the Dixie conference championship and were scheduled to play in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics district playoffs. However, Murphy learned that one of the key players was only carrying seven hours – all he needed to graduate – rather than the requisite 12. Murphy reported the violation, which disqualified his team from post-season tournament play. “I was so looking forward to playing in Greensboro and I was really mad at Coach,” says Basinger, who was the team’s leading scorer that season, “but I had great respect for Dr. Murphy.” Still, Murphy had one last shot at tournament play. In his last season, he led a team, respected as much for its ethics as its basketball prowess, to a second conference championship and to post-season play. Norris Dae, who still holds the university single season record for rebounds and rebounds per game, and Basinger were the year’s top scorers. The success was a fitting tribute for Murphy who, a teacher at heart, viewed the court as another classroom and games as the exams. Even more than basketball, he wanted to teach his players how to be good citizens. “When players graduated and went on to do the things they did, that got my adrenaline flowing,” Murphy observes. “That’s a big part of success. The moments that are most precious to me are when one of my players or students comes up to me and says, ‘You’ve made a big difference in my life.’ I can’t think of higher praise.” C O V E R S T O R Y ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 7 “No one loved the game more than I did. We took pride in wearing the uniform and representing the university.” Ben Basinger ’71 6 They were just a handful of walk-ons with the love for basketball. Led by a part-time coach, the 1948 Charlotte Center basketball players didn’t have scholarships, their own gym or even a dedicated building for their college. The program was funded by gate receipts. Against Lenoir-Rhyne, they netted $3.22. They lost $3.75 against Belmont Abbey. Yet, Charlotte College, as the two-year institution became known in 1949, doggedly continued to field a team. The Owls – named as tribute to its night school beginning – joined the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and in 1962, the hard-scrabble team finally claimed its first tournament victory in the Sun Coast Tournament in St. Petersburg, Fla. Charlotte had tasted the sweet fruit of the future. For LOVE of the GAME By Gina Carroll Howard C O V E R S T O R Y ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 9 Fortunately, things got better. “I was overjoyed and in awe that I was in college, playing college basketball against all-American honorable mentions,” he recalls. As the only freshman on the varsity team, the year passed in a blur of lights and excitement. From the time he scored his first basket, Maxwell felt like he belonged. “I was an awkward, gangly kid who went into a cocoon and came out a butterfly ready to fly.” And fly he did. Considered the greatest player in 49ers history, Maxwell continues to hold three UNC Charlotte career records and had his jersey retired in 1977. But in 1976, the future 1981 NBA Most Valuable Player was a kid from Kinston, afraid to fail, playing for a school few people had heard of in a national basketball tour-nament in New York City. His teammates called him “Max,” “the Franchise” (follow-ing his NIT exposure) or “Cornbread.” The latter nickname stuck when a national reporter overheard it. “We went from one beat reporter to reporters from all over the country in the locker room,” Maxwell recalls. “We (team members) remember the NCAA Final Four in ’77, but when we all get together, we talk about the NIT experience.” The national sports pundits – and even UNC Charlotte administrators – all expected the team to head home after the first round. Rose recalls they only had funding to cover expenses in New York for one game. When they won, staff member Mildred English hopped a plane and hand carried a check for one more night in New York. English made two more trips before the 49ers, captained by future 49ers coach Melvin Watkins, lost to Kentucky by four points in the NIT finals. On their return to Char-lotte, thousands of people cheered them as they stepped off the plane. “The city opened their arms to us and enfolded us,” Rose says of Charlotte’s support for the team. UNC Charlotte’s NIT appearance was followed the next year with a trip to the NCAA Final Four and the formation of the Sun Belt Conference. As critical as those achievements were in developing the university’s athletics program, they were no more important than another key strategy Rose undertook in his role as athletic director (AD): launching the women’s basketball program. Coaching records men’s 1 Harvey Murphy .341 (1965-1970) 44-81 2 Bill Foster .691 (1970-1975) 88-38 3 Lee Rose .800 (1975-78) 72-18 4 Mike Pratt .518 (1978-82) 56-52 5 Hal Wissel .262 (1982-85) 22-62 6 Jeff Mullins .562 (1985-96) 182-142 7 Melvin Watkins .677 (1996-98) 42-20 8 Bobby Lutz .603 (1998-2004) 114-75 Post-season tournament play men’s 1976 – NIT 1977 – NCAA 1988 – NCAA 1989 – NIT 1992 – NCAA 1994 – NIT 1995 – NCAA 1997 – NCAA 1998 – NCAA 1999 – NCAA 2000 – NIT 2001 – NCAA 2002 – NCAA 2004 – NCAA 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 continued next page Rodney White and Jobey Thomas celebrated the 2001 C-USA title. When the team returned to Charlotte from the NIT, thousands of people cheered them as they stepped off the plane. The city opened their arms and enfolded them. Men put on a full-court press In Murphy’s final season, UNC Charlotte hired its first full-time coach. While Murphy coached, Bill Foster recruited. The 1970-71 season was marked not only by a new coach, but by the university’s first scholarship athletes, a new on-campus arena – the Mineshaft – and a new level of play – Division I. In its first year as an NCAA team, the 49ers posted a 15-8 winning season. When Charlotte joined the NCAA, it became unaffiliated with a conference. That, in part, explains why despite Foster’s five-year 88-38 record – 23-3 in his last season, the 49ers didn’t get a bid for post-season tournament play. However, his savvy recruiting of players such as Melvin Watkins and Cedric Maxwell built the foundation of a stellar team that his successor, Lee Rose, would coach to national prominence. Rose approached coaching like a chess match, strategizing offensive and defensive moves to stymie his opponents and win the game. One of Rose’s first strate-gies involved breaking into national post-season play. With only 32 teams playing in the NCAA Tournament and 16 in the NIT, the 49ers had some serious competition. Rose approached Kentucky’s legendary coach Adolph Rupp for some direction. Rupp secured an appointment for Rose to make his case before the 1976 NIT selection committee in New York. Rose remembers the experience as a strange one. “I went into the belly of Madison Square Gardens to meet these guys smoking cigars. The air was so thick, I could hardly see them. Peter Carlesimo, a former football player and the committee chair, looked me over and asked, ‘Whaddya got?’” Rose spoke for 10 minutes and waited. Finally, Carlesimo thanked him, and Rose walked out. “That was the emptiest feeling I’ve ever had,” he says. Well into the two-day selection process, the call came from Carlesimo. “We’re selecting you,” he growled, “but don’t disappoint us.” And the 49ers – with a jaw-dropping performance by Cedric Maxwell ’77 – didn’t. A first-round draft pick by the Boston Celtics, which has retired his jersey, Maxwell almost didn’t make it to the NIT as a UNC Charlotte player. As a 17-year-old freshman who had been cut from his high school team as a junior, Maxwell had an ominous introduction to campus life. His first day, he got stitches from a cut received during a pick-up game. His second, he had a severe allergic reaction to shrimp he’d eaten in the cafeteria. If his third day were equally as danger-ous, he vowed he’d head home. Basketball career records men’s Total points Henry Williams (1988-92) 2,383 Scoring average (minimum of 50 games) George Jackson (1973-75) 20.4 Field goals made Lew Massey (1974-78) 916 Field goal percentage (minimum of 400 attempted) Cedric Maxwell (1973-77) .5861 20-Point games Henry Williams (1988-92) 65 Free throws made Jarvis Lang (1990-91, 1992-95) 538 Free throw percentage (minimum of 200 attempted) Roderick Howard (1993-97) .878 Rebounds Cedric Maxwell (1973-77) 1,117 Rebounds per game (minimum of two years) Cedric Maxwell (1973-77) 10.0 Assists (since 1972) Keith Williams (1983-87) 515 Dunks (since 1980) Jarvis Lang (1990-91, 1992-95) 162 Steals (since 1972) Keith Williams (1983-87) 236 Double-doubles (points-rebounds) Jarvis Lang (1990-91, 1992-95) 53 Blocked shots (since 1975) Ray Gromlowicz (1983-87) 194 Double-figure scoring games (since 1971) Henry Williams (1988-92) 111 Minutes played (since 1977) Henry Williams (1988-92) 3,996 Minutes per game (since 1977) Chad Kinch (1976-80) 36.4 Three-point field goals made Jobey Thomas (1998-2002) 346 For LOVE of the GAME 8 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ C O V E R S T O R Y Cedric Maxwell Considered the greatest player in 49ers history, Cedric Maxwell continues to hold three UNC Charlotte career records. He had his jersey retired in 1977. It was a seismic shock to the program. Suddenly, they were playing the big girls. Payne, wanting to start a family, had taken the position anticipating traveling no more than a few hours from home. Instead, she found herself traveling throughout the East Coast. “I didn’t even have an assistant, just a guy who said he’d come when he could to help drive the van,” Payne says. “I hadn’t bargained for this.” Payne was discovering what men’s coaches – including her husband – had known for years: Coaching college ball was all-consuming. These growing pains were common to most women’s teams at the time, Payne says. They were struggling to transition from what had basically been club teams to ones that were nationally competitive. Nonetheless, Payne produced winning seasons both years she coached. Kristin Wilson ’87, whom Payne had spotted in Germany when she had coached at a military dependents’ summer camp, was one of the keys. By her senior year, Wilson had set four single season records. She still holds three school career records and shares Bennett’s distinction of having her jersey retired. Men rebound As the women’s program was finding its stride in Division I, the men’s team was floundering. Between 1978 and 1985, the team posted a dismal 78-114 record. Jeff Mullins, a former NBA World Champion with the Golden State Warriors and an Olympic gold medalist, was hired to turn things around. Mullins saw UNC Charlotte as a “diamond in the rough.” He envisioned a program that the city of Charlotte would once again embrace. But he had some work to do. He set about changing attitudes on campus, in the community and among the players themselves. However, an unforeseen challenge arose when the NBA came to town two years later. “That really interrupted my plan for Charlotte for the long term. Pro teams can suck the life out of college programs,” he notes. So Mullins focused on all the positive aspects of the program: strong support from the administration, great coaches, being part of a strong university system and being located in the growing city of Charlotte. Plus, as the team moved from the Sun Belt to the Metro Conference and finally to Conference USA, the opponents and the players themselves ratcheted up a notch. “The campus kept growing, the livability was terrific and the campus was very sellable,” he points out. “And, we had a builder tradition.” By his second season, Mullins had reinstilled a winning mentality and the team went 18-14, the first winning season in five years. In the 11 years he coached, the 49ers took three trips to the NCAA tournament and two to the NIT. Henry Williams ’96, who played for Mullins between 1988 and 1992, was on two of those post-season tournament teams. C O V E R S T O R Y ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 11 Coaching records women’s 1 Judy Wilkins Rose .589 (1975-82) 93-65 2 Ann Payne .625 (1982-84) 35-21 3 Cindy Connelley .523 (1984-88) 56-51 4 Ed Baldwin .478 (1988-2001) 175-191 5 Katie Meier .532 (2001-03) 54-36 Post-season tournament play women’s 1979 – NCAIAW Division II 1980 – NCAIAW Division II 1981 – NCAIAW Division II 1982 – NCAIAW Division II 1990 – NIT 2003 – NCAA 2004 – NIT UNC Charlotte conference affiliation 1948-1970 – Dixie (NAIA) 1970-1976 – Independent (NCAA Division 1) 1976-1991 – Sun Belt 1991-1995 – Metro 1995-2005 – Conference USA 2005- – Atlantic 10 1 2 3 4 5 continued next page Ann Payne Henry Williams Women take off Rose attracted two talented women who set the program’s tone: Judy Wilkins, now Judy Wilkins Rose (no relations to Lee Rose), its first coach and the university’s current AD; and Paula Bennett ’83, one of the team’s first players. Judy Rose, an assistant coach at the University of Tennessee while earning her master’s degree, coached both tennis and basketball at UNC Charlotte. She embraced her role – her first full-time job – as the architect of the women’s basketball program with her characteristic enthusiasm. “I know we weren’t very good when you compared us to teams that had scholarship players,” Rose says of her campus-recruited team, “but the girls were real fighters. Although we got beat, they never gave up.” The third year, they had a winning season. Bennett’s career as a 49er was the result of serendipity. Lee Rose had arrived early at her high school to watch the boys’ game when he spotted her playing. An assistant coach approached Bennett and told her they’d be in touch. Judy Rose followed up with a scholarship offer, the first anyone at Bennett’s high school had ever earned. Coming to Charlotte from Williamston was an education in itself for Bennett, now Army sergeant 1st class and an instructor at a military intelligence school at Ft. Huachuca, Ariz. She was exposed to people from different states and different cultures and learned that despite their differences, they shared a common denominator: their love of basketball. Bennett loved every aspect of the game. She loved to block shots and hit the ball against the backboard. She could hardly wait to get to practice. “I could jump so high above everyone else – I get goose bumps thinking about it – and I was quicker. By the time they jumped, I had the ball and had already come back down. It was the best feeling in the world.” The first women’s player to have her jersey retired, Bennett still holds seven UNC Charlotte career records. On the court, the team was highly competitive. Off, the women were like a family. “I loved the kids on my teams. They were like my own children,” Judy Rose maintains. “I felt compelled to make sure they graduated and were prepared for life, as well as prepared for basketball competitions.” Based on the loyalty her former players still feel for her, Rose successfully did both. “Judy was like our mother,” insists Diane Stepp Burton ’83, now a U.S. probation officer assigned to the Western District of North Carolina in the Asheville Division. “She always had us over for Thanksgiving. As I’ve gotten older, I realize how much Judy Rose means to me. When I was sworn in to my current job, Judy was there. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be where I am.” In 1982, when Rose stepped down to be assistant athletic director, Ann Payne took over as women’s coach. Payne had inherited a strong program, but she was thrown a curve ball. When the season began, the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women had folded as women began to gain equity in athletics. Unexpectedly, the women’s team was forced to join UNC Charlotte’s men’s team in NCAA Division I. Basketball career records women’s Points scored Paula Bennett (1978-82) 2,078 Points per game Paula Bennett (1978-82) 19.6 Field goals made Paula Bennett (1978-82) 914 Field goals attempted Paula Bennett (1978-82) 2,042 Field goal percentage Sandra Williams (1989-91) .561 Three-point field goals made Peaches Harris (2001-04) 157 Three-point field goal percentage Tammy Gilliam (1990-93) .393 Free throws made Kristin Wilson (1983-87) 412 Free throws attempted Kim Fox (1977-81) 742 Free throw percentage Lisa Gerton (1994-96) .861 Rebounds Kristin Wilson (1983-87) 1,305 Rebounds per game Paula Bennett (1979-82) 12.3 Offensive Rebounds Charlette Hargrove (1994-97) 4.9 Assists Markita Aldridge (1991-96) 442 Blocks Adrienne Jordan (1998-2001) 207 Steals Patricia Walker (1978-1982) 301 Number of 30-point games Paula Bennett (1979-82) 14 Number of 20-point games Paula Bennett (1979-1982) 49 Double-doubles Kristin Wilson (1984-87) 68 Triple-doubles Patricia Walker (1978-82) 13 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists 10 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ C O V E R S T O R Y For LOVE of the GAME Paula Bennett (left) and Patricia Walker 12 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ C O V E R S T O R Y C O V E R S T O R Y ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 13 “There’s such opportunity for positive growth in the university, and it’s mirrored in the growth of the women’s basketball program,” Meier says. The program’s greatest strength is the strong university-wide desire – and support – for women’s basketball to succeed. Meier, who has an M.A.T. in English, is pleased her teams are winning, but it’s how they’re winning that makes her most proud. “The most pressure I put on myself as coach is to form and mold the young ladies I have for four years and make them better,” she says. “It’s not the wins and losses. I don’t remember disappointing losses, but if a young lady fails, I ask myself, ‘Did I fail her?’” Meier takes to heart Chancellor Jim Woodward’s charge to make the program a window to the university. She says she and her staff take great care in choosing the best recruits for their program, women who will represent the university well. “The easiest part is to evaluate the talent. The hardest part is to evaluate character,” she asserts. While Meier was familiar with her players’ side of the court, Bobby Lutz ’80 was not. He had the fortune – or misfortune – of trying out for the 1977 NCAA Final Four team. He didn’t make it. So while Maxwell, Watkins and other outstanding players were wowing national audiences, Lutz was beginning to earn the first of four undergraduate and master’s degrees. After coaching successful high school teams and rejuvenating Pfeiffer University’s program, Lutz applied for a coaching position under Mullins. He was turned down – several times. Finally, in 1995, Mullins gave him a chance, and Lutz joined the 49ers as an assistant coach. In 1998, he succeeded Watkins as head coach. In his first six sea-sons, the man who couldn’t earn a 49ers jersey as a walk on has won more games than any coach in the history of the men’s basketball program. His teams have won three C-USA championships and have gone on to post-season tournaments five of those years. Lutz, who joined the UNC Charlotte Alumni Hall of Fame in 2002, is modest about his success. He says he was fortunate to take over a program that his two predecessors had positioned so well. And he knew he was ready for the challenge. At every game, when he enters the arena, he looks at the student sections to thank them for being there. But first, he looks for his family. “We tell our players that faith and family should be your first priority, academics second and basketball third,” he comments. “I try to model that in actions rather than just words.” Like his counterpart in the women’s program, Lutz enjoys the competition, the teamwork and the family feeling involved in coaching. He says he loves to watch his players get better as he strives for excellence in every phase of the program, a program that is the second most successful one in the 10 years of Conference USA. “Our program has represented the university well,” he says. Judy Rose says the two greatest strengths of UNC Charlotte’s basketball program are Katie Meier and Bobby Lutz. Meier, she says, knows how to motivate her players, and Lutz is an excellent strategist. Next year, after 40 years of men’s basketball and 30 years of women’s, UNC Charlotte is poised to join the Atlantic 10 Conference. Rose says fans can expect the same highly competitive games, the same level of success and integrity – and the same passion – that Lutz, Meier, the players and other coaches have made the hallmark of 49ers basketball. “It was the most exciting time of my life,” says Williams, now a pastor, businessman and color radio analyst for the NBA Charlotte Bobcats. “I felt like we had the city of Charlotte behind us. The fans were passionate. That came from the passion Judy Rose, Coach and the chancellor felt. That was contagious.” Like Mullins, Williams is proud of helping to build the program, noting that everyone at that time felt they played a part. “Wearing the UNC Charlotte jersey (at the NCAA tournament) showed that we might not be as well known, but we were every bit as good.” Williams was indeed good, named first-team NCAA freshman all-American. He still holds four university career records. Programs score a slam dunk By the time Mullins left the university in 1996, he had achieved his goal of building a solid foundation for the men’s basketball program. His successor, former 49ers team captain Melvin Watkins, built on that foundation to take his teams to a 42-20 record during his two years coaching. While the men built, the women struggled, falling to a 231-242 record from the mid- ’80s until Katie Meier took the helm in 2001. The former ACC 1986 Rookie of the Year at Duke University and pro player in Belgium didn’t see a losing program. She saw a golden opportunity. Like her successful predecessors, Meier character-izes herself as a builder and says her job as head women’s coach fits her “to a T.” A self-described “big picture” person, she says she does her best when she narrows her focus. Her first year, Meier narrowed it to the “W” column. “I didn’t even talk about the ‘L’ column,” she asserts. “I said we’re here to get wins. Every time we take the floor, it’s an opportunity to get one more W for this university.” Her first year, she got 16 of them. The second season, the program earned its first bid to the NCAA tournament, and Meier was named Conference USA and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Region IV Coach of the Year. Last year, the team was invited to play in the Women’s NIT. For LOVE of the GAME Retired Jerseys men’s 4 Byron Dinkins (1985-89) Jersey retired Oct. 16, 1997 “The Dink,” Jeff Mullins’ first recruit, was his team’s leading scorer for all three seasons he played. He compiled 1,657 points, 513 assists and 139 three-point field goals. 4 DeMarco Johnson (1994-98) Jersey retired Jan. 26, 2000 Johnson remains C-USA’s all-time leading scorer despite playing in that league for just three seasons. Part of three NCAA Tournament teams, he posted a 16.8 career scoring average and 7.8 career rebounding average. 23 Jarvis Lang (1990-91, 1992-95) Jersey retired Oct. 15, 1996 With a 42-inch vertical leap, Lang nailed 1,855 points and grabbed 1,047 rebounds. He still holds the university’s career record for free throws made (538), double-doubles (53) and the most dunks (162) since 1980 when they first were allowed. 32 Melvin Watkins (1973-77) Jersey retired March 2, 1977 A proven leader, Watkins captained two teams (that never lost a home game) to the 1976 NIT Finals and 1977 NCAA Final Four. Returning in 1996 for two seasons as the 49ers head men’s basket-ball coach, he compiled an overall coaching record of 23-7. 33 Cedric Maxwell (1973-77) Jersey retired March 2, 1977 Considered the greatest player in 49ers history, Maxwell played in the 1976 NIT Finals and 1977 NCAA Final Four. His moniker of “Cornbread” was picked up by the New York City press during the 1976 NIT Tournament and stuck. To this day, he holds the UNC Charlotte career records for rebounds (1,117), rebounds per game for a player on the team for at least two years (10) and field goal percentage with a minimum of 400 attempted (.5861). Additionally, he holds four single-season records. 34 Henry Williams (1988-92) Jersey retired March 7, 1992 The all-time leading scorer in 49ers history with 2,383 points, Williams also is tops in the university’s record books in double-figure scoring games since 1971 (111) and minutes played since 1977 (3,996). With a career record 65 20-point games, Williams is the only UNC Charlotte player to average more than 20 points in three seasons. 45 Charles Hayward (1997-99) Jersey retired Sept. 15, 1999 When his leukemia went into remission after his freshman year, Hayward lived his dream of playing college ball. In the 10 games he played the fall of 1998, he made his mark by blocking a Halton Arena record six shots and scored a game-tying basket with 1.00 left in overtime in the 49ers first visit to UNC Chapel Hill. However, his greatest legacy before leukemia claimed him in December 1998 was as an inspiration for all 49ers. women’s 21 Paula Bennett (1979-82) Jersey retired Feb. 8, 1998 Bennett was the 49ers’ first all-American, earning first-team American Sports Foundation honors in 1980. She remains the 49ers’ all-time scoring leader and the only player in 49ers history to score 2,000 career points (2,078). A three-time MVP, Bennett is second all-time in rebounds and steals and leads the program with 14 games of 30 or more points. 35 Kristin Wilson (1984-87) Jersey retired Feb. 2, 2003 Wilson is the school’s second all-time leading scorer and first all-time leading rebounder. She scored more than 1,900 career points with over 1,300 career rebounds and was named the 1987 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year.Wilson was an honorable mention all-America by the Women’s Basketball Yearbook as both a junoir and senior and was a two-time team MVP. Wilson owns records for most points scored in a season (619) and points in a game (45). Katie Meier Bobby Lutz F E A T U R E A R T I C L E ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 15 The day she thought about killing herself, “Suzanne” felt bad from the second she got up. It had been a rough couple of days, what with an athletic team practice, school and all. A lot of little things were adding up. She had been trying to think positive thoughts to keep the depression at bay. She kept telling herself she could do it, but the feeling of being immobilized was setting in. Suzanne plodded to the bathroom. She faced the medicine cabinet and swung the door open. Her housemate’s bottle of pills offered peace. She reached for them and headed back to her room in a haze. She put the bottle under her bed – for later. First, she had to go to work. Suzanne knew she needed help. She knew she should call her counselor but she was afraid. In therapy, Suzanne had talked about her feeling of being a burden, of feeling she shouldn’t need so much help. Suzanne remembered “Dr. Madison’s” instructions to call, but she couldn’t pick up the phone. So she compromised. She left a message for Madison, vague, saying only that she needed to talk. Madison left a time to call that afternoon. After work, Suzanne uncharacteristically skipped team practice and didn’t call the coach. Instead, she walked home. She began to cry. The house was dark and empty. Her depression deepened. Suzanne went to her room and reached under her bed. She snapped the cap, the pills tumbling into her hand. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she looked at the colors she cupped and thought about her family. She knew she couldn’t kill herself without saying good-bye. Suzanne heard the front door open. Her housemate had returned. It was time to call Dr. Madison. She didn’t want to. But now she had another fear, a greater fear that gave her courage. She was afraid of what would happen if she didn’t pick up the phone. That call may have saved her life. Suzanne is among the growing number of college students suffering from depression. In the 2004 National College Health Assessment, 18.5 percent of students reported being diagnosed with this illness, a percentage similar to that at UNC Charlotte. Of all the students surveyed, about 45 percent reported feel-ing so depressed at some time that it was difficult to function. Of those stu-dents, 10 percent seriously considered suicide and about 1 percent attempted it. Based on a 2004 survey, Suzanne is one of an estimated 3,600 UNC Charlotte students who has been diagnosed with depression and one of about 2,000 who is projected to have seriously considered suicide. According to Richard Kadison, chief of mental health at Harvard Univer-sity Health Services, today’s students are arriving on campus with more psychological problems than those from previous generations. The reasons, he says, are varied. They are more likely to be children of divorce or have experimented with drugs, alcohol and sex. They worry about college costs, grades and terrorism, he notes in the Dec. 10, 2004, issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education, “The Mental-Health Crisis: What Colleges Must Do.” And they are more likely to have received psychiatric treatment in high school. Most mental health professionals concur that thanks to new medications, students who previously never would have been able to do so now attend college. However, Kadison notes, many more students are unaware that they have problems and thus, don’t seek help. “They consider what they are experiencing a weakness and don’t realize that they can’t just will themselves to be better, any more than diabetics can will themselves to produce more insulin,” he wrote in The Chronicle. To reach those students seeking help – as well as to those who aren’t – UNC Charlotte’s Counseling Center offers dozens of workshops each year. Staff members take their presentations and pamphlets on such topics as stress management and healthy life styles to the residence halls, learning communities, athletics teams and Greek organizations. That was how Suzanne learned about the Counseling Center. Beginning in junior high and escalating in high school, she had suffered bouts of depression and feel-ings of being overwhelmed. To cope, she used positive strategies – journaling and being in sports – but also negative ones – developing an eating disorder and cutting herself. Emotional fights with her divorced mother, who believed everything would be all right, exacerbated the situation. continued on next page Counseling Center psychologist Frank Bettoli says students usually find it a relief to talk about the stress in their lives and find direction on managing it. ℡ 14 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ F E A T U R E A R T I C L E The dark at the end of the tunnel By Gina Carroll Howard Study pressures, relationship problems, late nights and little sleep – all are college students’ rights of passage. However, more and more frequently, students aren’t able to just shrug off daily stressors. Instead, they’re overwhelmed to the point all they see is Although a real student and counselor at UNC Charlotte, “Suzanne’s” and “Dr. Madison’s” real names and other identifying details have been changed to protect Suzanne’s privacy. stock photo: not a UNC Charlotte student F E A T U R E A R T I C L E ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 17 Resident students have additional lifelines. With nearly 800 programs ranging from workshops that build skills or cope with stress, to social programs or community service opportunities, the residential environment is designed to foster student connec-tions both to campus resources and to each other. When that connection breaks down, specially trained resident advisors (R.A.s) on every floor are the first resources. In a crisis, the R.A. would call senior Housing and Residence Life staff, who would work with mental health professionals to assess the student’s needs. Because of legal restrictions, the Counseling Center staff cannot notify parents of stu-dents over 18 without the student’s permission. The staff of Housing and Residence Life must also abide by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which prohibits the release of a student’s medical records – even to parents. However, the law does allow for parental contact in the case of emergency and based upon the circumstances surrounding the student situation. Housing staff determines whether parental contact is appropriate. Allan Blattner, associate director for staff and student development, is one of the Department of Housing and Residence Life administrators who weighs a student’s right to privacy with the need to involve parents. While The Counseling Center serves as the student’s advocate, Housing and Residence Life advocates both for the student and for the entire campus community. Blattner must determine what is best not only for that student, but for the residential community affected by that student. “There’s a lot going on in the halls, lots of energy and potential distractions. While this is just the right environment for most, it may not necessarily be the right place for students in crisis,” Blattner points out. “Sometimes, after consultation with the doctors, students do not return to the residence halls. Other times, we work with the Counseling Center and other community professionals who monitor the students to help ensure they receive the treatment they need while living on campus.” Sometimes taking a semester off is what a student needs before getting the neces-sary help upon returning to campus, agrees David Spano, Counseling Center director. Other times, a directed plan combining counseling and medication is effective. Yet, many people are hesitant to share suicidal thoughts, MacNair-Semands notes, adding that those who do join a therapy group with people who have had the same thoughts find it can be relieving. “It doesn’t mean you’re weak if you don’t do it on your own,” she insists. “It’s a sign of strength to walk through the door and talk to a stranger about very intimate feelings.” Suzanne feels she has that strength now. It’s been a gradual process, she says, one that’s been hard, and one that has required a lot of work. She’s thankful she had the support of family, friends, teachers and a therapist she trusted. To be successful, she had to learn to love herself. “I had to rewire my thinking,” Suzanne explains. “Now, when I’m going through stressful times, it’s a matter of looking at it in a positive way. It’s not the easiest thing to do. Things happen, but I’m much healthier, not just physically but spiritually and emotionally. I experience depression occasionally like the average person does, and I have better ways of dealing with it. It’s hard sometimes, but it’s part of life.” SIGNS OF STRESS IN STUDENTS ▪ Social isolation, withdrawal, lethargy ▪ Inability to focus on a specific topic in a conversation or activity ▪ Disorganized thinking and speech, feelings that are inappropriate to the situation or other evidence that student is “out of touch with reality” ▪ Expression of feelings of persecution, strong mistrust of others ▪ Violent outbursts ▪ Signs of excessive alcohol or drug use ▪ Expressions of general unhappiness over a period of several weeks ▪ Frequent class absence or “disappearance” over extended periods ▪ Gain or loss of significant amounts of weight ▪ Abrupt change in manner, style or personal hygiene ▪ Increasing dependence on you or others ▪ Marked anxiety, extreme restlessness, inability to concentrate or relax ▪ Marked decrease or increase in appetite ▪ Marked decrease or increase in sleep ▪ Loss of interest in formerly pleasurable or meaningful activities, such as classes, social life, intimate relationships ▪ Expression of irrational fears ▪ Physical complaints without a medical cause, such as headache, stomach pains, etc. ▪ Unusual ritualistic or repetitive behavior ▪ Chronic fatigue ▪ Suicidal thoughts, plans, threats ▪ Overwhelming financial obligations the tunnel UNC CHARLOTTE’S COUNSELING CENTER The UNC Charlotte Counseling Center provides confidential, free short-term individual and group counseling; consultation for faculty, staff, parents and students; and educational programs to the campus community. Information on the Counseling Center’s services; help for concerned faculty, staff, parents and friends; an online screening program; self-help information and links to other mental-health resources are all available online at www.counselingcenter.uncc.edu/. To contact the center, stop by Atkins 158 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call 704-687-2105. 16 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ F E A T U R E A R T I C L E “She didn’t realize how hard it was for me,” Suzanne remembers. “She thought I could just stop. Being an athlete probably saved me.” As a UNC Charlotte student athlete – and because of her history, Suzanne was required to attend a proactive program her freshman year. Through this program, she met Madison. Suzanne’s deteriorating family situation and past issues that had returned to haunt her were wearing her down, so she asked the nutritionist to contact Madison. “Society makes you feel that you must be crazy if you go to a therapist, but I’d gotten tired of it interrupt-ing my life,” Suzanne says of the depression. “I figured the intelligent decision was to use the resources here.” Suzanne’s willingness to try therapy was a success for the center’s outreach programs. “It’s usually something of a relief to talk about what’s going on and find some direction on how to manage it,” says Frank Bettoli, one of seven licensed doctoral-level psychologists on the Counseling Center staff. Bettoli says one of the center’s goals is to normal-ize the counseling experience and reduce the stigma of seeking help. To raise awareness of their services, Counseling Center staff members talk to parents during Student Orientation, Advising and Registration; participate in Week of Welcome; and even stand outside at a busy campus intersection each semester offering coffee and bagels to passing students. They also teach faculty and staff how to identify and refer students they feel may have emotional, relational or behavior problems. Staff members offer information at department meetings and meet with new faculty as part of orientation. “Faculty and staff are on the frontlines with students every day,” Bettoli notes. “We are working with them to better recognize and respond to significant problems they might see in the classroom.” One empathetic faculty member made a critical difference to Suzanne. At times, Suzanne went on what she calls “autopilot,” moving into a dissociative state to just get through the day. She began to skip her morning classes and her GPA plummeted. Part of her felt bad about neglecting her responsibilities, but another part knew she had to conserve what energy she had. Her dread at facing the professor whose class she was failing grew so great, she no longer wanted to attend class on her “good” days. At her sister’s urging, Suzanne screwed up her courage and e-mailed the professor, explaining that she was experiencing some “problems.” To her relief, she found the professor to be supportive and respectful, motivating her to complete the work. “She never judged me, and it made a big difference,” Suzanne avows. Although Suzanne was in therapy, negative thoughts about herself were continual. “I felt I was a failure. I was unmotivated, fatigued. I’d just stay in bed. I had to do what I had to do to survive,” she recalls. “I couldn’t complete my workout. I’m very consistent, and that inconsistency was another failure. Nothing seemed to matter any more. Even if it were a nice, sunny day, everything felt dead, dark.” That was right before Suzanne nearly killed herself. When Dr. Madison received Suzanne’s call for help that night, she did what she does with all students who are actively suicidal: She tried to keep her safe. Hospitalization is a last resort, says Rebecca MacNair-Semands, Counseling Center associate director and clinical services coordinator. Instead, she and the other counselors encourage students to talk about their suicidal thoughts. They encourage them to call a friend and engage in coping strategies that work for them. They set up a plan to help them get through the day, then the next day, then the next week. Individual therapy ses-sions often become more frequent until things become more manageable for the student. “Having suicidal thoughts doesn’t mean a person has to act on them,” MacNair- Semands maintains. “Many people who have been experiencing suicidal thoughts for years come in and discover they can learn new strategies and tap into their own strengths and build on them.” Together the student and therapist look at the strategies the student has been using, explore why they haven’t been working and develop some new ones. But sometimes students consider acting on their suicidal thoughts. As an off-campus student, Suzanne was fortunate to have the support of Madison and her housemate to get her through the crisis. The dark at the end of Rodney Bragdon and Jocelyn Buhain, two predoctoral interns, raise awareness of the Counseling Center's services by visiting classes to talk to students. “I used to feel that my work was helping ‘save’ the world,” another shelter employee told the researchers. “Not anymore. Although I believe that euthanasia isn’t the worst thing that can happen to an animal, it’s taking a toll on my life.” In their research, Rogelberg and Reeve studied what they deemed ‘turning-point events,’ particularly positive events that spur changes in an employee’s attitude, thought process and perceived stress level. For example, shelter workers who had developed an attachment to a particular animal experienced an emotionally difficult time following its death. However, they reported feeling less distressed when animals were euthanized due to failing health. Overall, Rogelberg and Reeve found that varying levels of stress can manifest itself in a number of ways. Many of the shelter workers interviewed said that they often feel angry, sad, guilty and disgusted even though they attempt to conceal their true feelings. As a way to detach themselves from the pain and guilt that often comes from euthaniz-ing an animal, they try to emotionally detach themselves from the animals they work with each day. However, because most workers who enter the field do so because they love animals, they find this extremely difficult to do. The resulting internal conflict puts them at risk for a variety of psychological, emotional and physical ailments such as high blood pressure, depression, unresolved grief, substance abuse and suicide. “These animal shelter work-ers are performing a job that many of us wouldn’t want to do, but needs to be done given society’s neglect of dealing with the pet over-population,” says Rogelberg. “It’s a thankless, emotionally taxing and often underappreciated job.” Rogelberg and Reeve found that the highest turnover among distraught shelter workers occurred within the first year. Many reported their first euthanasia procedure was a significant turning point. The researchers feel that better recruitment and early socialization practices would help lessen the stress. Coaching and mentoring workers-in- training would help decrease turnover in first-year employees and help them form realistic job expecta-tions. The researchers further urge shelter workers to develop technical skills and competence through for-mal euthanasia training, certification programs and direct practice. Supervisors should provide timely feedback and allow employees to offer input. Additionally, shelters may need to revise their euthanasia practices. Leaving euthanized animals in the procedure room as more are put down is psychologically damaging to the workers who view this day after day. As part of a $75,000 research grant from the Humane Society of the United States, Rogelberg and Reeve have created a Shelter Diagnostic System to help animal shelters operate better. The system collects and analyzes employee attitudes, perceptions and opinions of their work environments. The system is designed to improve euthanasia practices, supervisory style, team-work, peer-support and overall morale while increasing organizational effectiveness. However, Rogelberg and Reeve say the most effective way to reduce the caregivers’ stress lies squarely with pet owners: responsible ownership would decrease the num-ber of euthanasia procedures. Proactive public awareness programs, innovative adoption programs, such as mobile adoption units, and extensive neuter assistance programs offer a positive alternative to euthanasia. “The need for euthanasia starts and ends with us,” Rogelberg says. “By treating animals humanely and engaging actively in spay and neuter programs, the need for euthanizing healthy, but unwanted, animals itself will die away over time.” • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Rogelberg’s and Reeve’s research is detailed in “The ‘care-killing paradox: Euthanasia-related strain among animal shelter workers,” which they wrote along with Christiane Spitzmuller and Natalie DiGiacomo and is in the volume 35, 2005 issue of the Journal of Applied Social Psychology. F E A T U R E A R T I C L E ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 19 “By treating animals humanely and engaging actively in spay and neuter programs, the need for euthanizing healthy, but unwanted, animals itself will die away over time.” Steven Rogelberg 18 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ F E A T U R E A R T I C L E Of the 6 to 8 million cats and dogs that enter animal shelters each year, nearly one-half are euthanized. The reasons behind these troubling statistics in a 2003 Humane Society of the United States study are varied. The magnitude of the country’s pet overpopulation, limitations on funding to create shelter facilities and the persistence of pets that are abandoned or given up have caused extensive animal euthanasia to become a tragic reality – with no signs of slowing. Yet the numbers don’t show another casualty that has been largely neglected: the thousands of people across the country who are charged with euthanizing those animals. “It’s very difficult when we are inundated from spring until fall,” laments one shelter employee. Every single person who walks through the door has one more litter of kittens. So the animal may come in the front door and go out the back.” UNC Charlotte’s Steven Rogelberg and Charlie Reeve have been studying this and other “at risk” care providers since 2000, learning about euthanasia-related stress and finding ways to promote overall shelter health. Rogelberg, an associate psychology professor and an adjunct professor in the Belk College of Business, heads up the industrial and organizational psychology program at the university. He teamed with Reeve, an assistant psychology professor, to study what they refer to as a ‘dirty work’ occupation. Reeve says that although animal care professionals are aware of the stress, little empirical research exists that would help these caregivers ease it. For several years, the professors assessed the degree of euthanasia-related stress that shelter workers experienced, its potential impact on their well-being and ways to alleviate it. They also explored the influence individual workers’ personalities, jobs and organizational differences play on the degree of euthanasia-related stress they felt. Through several exploratory studies, and with the help and cooperation of the Humane Society of the United States, Rogelberg and Reeve have come up with successful methods that animal shelters can implement to increase their employees’ overall well-being. The stress triggers that shelter workers are exposed to are uniquely different from the usual work-related stress that employees in other profes-sions experience. People entering this field say they often do so because they want to help animals. However, they discover that they are faced with a daily contradiction: acting as ‘protectors’ of these animals, while having to kill healthy but unwanted animals. This creates a ‘care-killing’ paradox. The ‘CARE-killing’ paradoX Euthanasia strains animal shelter workers By Jemi Johnson Steven Rogelberg Charlie Reeve A L U M N I N O T E S ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 21 Sybil Rinehardt ’71, ’82 M.A. has been named the interim dean of the arts and sciences division of Forsyth Technical Community College. Sybil, who has been coordinating the student success center, has been with the college full time since 1997. Jan McCombs ’76 received the American Stars of Teaching award last September. The Kannapolis middle school teacher was the only North Carolina educator who received the award. Jan, who has taught nearly 2,500 students during her career, was honored for boosting student achieve-ment by carrying out the No Child Left Behind Act. She and her husband, Keith, make their home in Kannapolis. Chuck Kitchen ’77 was named the 2004 County Attorney of the Year by the N.C. County Attorneys Association. Chuck has been Durham County’s attorney since 1996. He is past president of the N.C. County Attorneys Association and the National Association of Civil County Attorneys. Chuck has volunteered for 30 years with the American Red Cross, serving as an instructor-trainer in first aid/CPR/AED and first responder courses. Hardin Minor ’79 was invited to choreo-graph a new piece for the UNC Charlotte spring dance concert April 20-24 on the main stage in the beautiful new Robinson Hall. This is the third time that Hardin has worked with students from the Depart-ment of Dance and Theatre.He has had a distinguished career, helping to found one of Charlotte’s first modern dance compa-nies, New Reflections Dance Theatre, in 1976. He also has served for 25 years as co-artistic director of the OMIMEO Mime Theatre. In addition to teaching, performing and choreographing, Hardin has been hired by a variety of top-flight corporate and philanthropic organizations as creative consultant. He credits his edu-cation at UNC Charlotte with his success as a performing artist and says he’s always eager to return to his alma mater to work. David Elliott ’80 has joined Fuji Photo Film in Greenwood, S.C., as human resources manager of Fuji’s Graphic System Division.He is married to Karen Carpenter Elliott ’78, who is a seventh-grade language arts teacher at Northside Middle School. They reside in Greenwood with their son, Paul. Eleanor Stevens ’83 has joined the WTVI team as corporate development manager. She is responsible for securing and manag-ing the underwriting of WTVI’s program-ming, which includes PBS specials and local productions. She and her husband, Marc Woodling, and their son, Zack, make their home in Charlotte. Kris Krider ’85 was proud that the town of Davidson, for which he is planning director, has received the overall excellence in smart growth award from the EPA. This is unusual since the awards don’t usually go to the community as a whole, but rather to organizations within the community. Kris has been on the job for just a year. William Anderson ’87, a 13-year veteran of the Columbia Fire Department, has been named chief. He has been the assistant chief since 1991. William is the father of two sons, Seth, 19, and Carl, 16. William makes his home in Columbia, SC. Jeff Grigg ’87 has been promoted to director of production services at Anderson Communications in Hilton Head, S.C., where he now resides. Scott Price ’87 moved to Japan in 1990 to begin his career after receiving an M.B.A. and M.A. in Asian studies from the University of Virginia. He’s back in Japan for the third time after having lived in Malaysia, Australia and China. He is now president of DHL Japan, the largest international express company in Japan. Financial planners, car detailers, restaurant owners and chiropractors were just a few of the more than 50 alumni vendors who connected with fellow alumni during last year’s first 49er Business Fair. The UNC Charlotte Alumni Association will host the 2nd annual 49er Business Fair on Tuesday, April 19, in the Wachovia Atrium in downtown Charlotte. Food and drink, prizes and an appearance by Norm, the UNC Charlotte mascot, will add a festive air to this business opportunity. For more information, please contact the UNC Charlotte Alumni Affairs Office at 704-687-2273 or 1-800-PIK-UNCC. 20 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ A L U M N I N O T E S Urban planners Sue Schwartz ’83 M.A. and Carol Rhea ’83, ’86 M.A., and master’s planning student Megan Cummings ’99 have done a lot of building. They each have managed to design, revive and skillfully plan towns, neighborhoods, streets and key government projects. They’re also working to build a better reputation for their profession. But most importantly, the women have each built stellar reputations as leaders in a historically male-dominated profession. The women hold offices in the nation’s largest organization for planners, the American Planning Association (APA). Schwartz is president-elect of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), the 14,000-member professional institute of APA; Rhea serves on the APA board of directors as the Region II director; and Cummings, who is now a graduate student at the University of Southern California, is chair of the Student Representative Council and advisor to the APA board. “It is unprecedented to have three people from one institution in key leadership positions for the APA on the national level,” said Owen Furuseth, associate provost for metropolitan studies and extended academic programs at UNC Charlotte, who knew Schwartz and Rhea as students. “Their progression in their careers is really a proud moment for our program.” The women also represent a growing population of females in the planning profession. According to a 2004 APA survey, women represent 34 percent of the profession, up from 28 percent in 1995. Schwartz is the first woman in a decade to become AICP president-elect and the first in APA history from North Carolina. Schwartz, Rhea and Cummings are also very well-respected. As Greensboro’s chief of neighborhood planning, Schwartz is known for leading the revitalization of several of Greensboro’s abandoned and historic areas and for creating High Point’s first greenway. Rhea, the president of her own consulting firm, has years of experience in government planning and administration at the local, regional and state levels in Florida and North Carolina. As a graduate student, Cummings is working toward becoming a transportation planner. She has interned with the Civic Enterprise Associates and Metrans Transportation Center in Los Angeles. Although a passion for the profession connected them, it was fate and mutual friends that brought Rhea and Schwartz together more than 20 years ago at UNC Charlotte. Several years later they reunited in service to their profession, working on committees and holding office in the North Carolina chapter and eventually serving adjacent terms as president. Cummings, who recently met Rhea and Schwartz during a summer retreat in Utah, affectionately refers to them as her mentors. “I’m so appreciative that Carol and Sue have taken me under their wing,” she said. “I’m fortunate to be able to learn from them.” Building great careers is not the only goal these planners have. They are also working to create a more positive reputation for their profession and encourage fellow planners to feel good about their work. Rhea says people tend to think of planners as bureaucrats and see them as obstacles. But she said it’s a planner’s responsibility to think about the impact of decisions on an entire community – not just on individual projects or organizations. “Not all decisions planners make are popular. We must look at the bigger picture and keep in mind that we are often planning for people who aren’t even born yet. Planning for future pop-ulations and growth sometimes conflicts with what people want today,” Rhea said. “Planners are some of the most self-deprecating people, and we have to encourage one another to be proud of our accomplishments.” Fursueth agrees and says they’re in good positions to change public perceptions. He notes the three are great ambassadors for the profession and UNC Charlotte. “We’ve got wonderful graduates across the state and the U.S., but in this case when you see your students develop, and they are on the national stage helping to shape urban policy and areas related to planning, it’s quite rewarding.” – Natasha Ashe-Suber ALUMNAE PLAN FOR TOMORROW Sue Schwartz Carol Rhea Megan Cummings A L U M N I N O T E S ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 23 Mary Hagerty Ward ’90 has assumed the newly-created position of training and edu-cation director for the Mecklenburg County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. She oversees local grant opportunities for programs dealing with alcohol abuse/edu-cation/ prevention and underage alcohol issues, including college campus life. She lives with her husband, Stephen, and daughter, Molly, in Charlotte. Mark Helm ’92 has taken a new position as senior vice president and general counsel for OpBiz, LLC d/b/a Aladdin Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Prior to joining OpBiz, Mark was vice president and gen-eral counsel of Planet Hollywood Interna-tional, Inc., an international brand company based in Orlando, Fla. He and his wife, Carrie, live in Henderson, Nev. Meldrina Chapin ’93, ’94 B.Arch. is com-pleting her Ph.D. at the University of Wis-consin- Milwaukee. She has received a 2004-2005 American Institute of Architects Arthur N. Tuttle Jr. Graduate Fellowship in Health Facility Planning and Design, which supports her research to complete her disser-tation. Meldrina’s research is entitled “Creat-ing Innovative Places: Organizational and Architectural Case Studies of the Culture Change Movement in Long-Term Care.” Elmer Atienza ’94 is helping residents at St. Joseph of the Pines Health Center in South-ern Pines with personal works of art. Previ-ously, Elmer has studied architecture abroad and worked in commercial interior design, on custom residences and on large projects with city planners. He also invented, devel-oped and marketed the JYMMY towel clip. Still pursuing his education and exploring the job market, Elmer drew on his experience working on the Art with Elders Program in California to initiate the art program for health center residents at St. Joseph. Michelle Durner ’94, ’97 B.S. has been promoted to president of Applied Medical Services, LLC after five years as the compa-ny’s CFO. Michelle makes her home in Durham with her husband, Daniel. Byron Dinkins ’95 signed with ABA Car-olina Thunder for the fall season. Byron previously played basketball in Europe. Chris Nesbitt ’95 of the Kannapolis Police Department has been promoted to sergeant and has begun his new responsi-bilities as a field supervisor of Patrol Squad B. Since joining the department in 1996, Chris has worked as a patrol officer, field training officer and felony investigator. He also is a tactical officer with the agency’s special response team. He and his wife, Lori Basinger Nesbitt ’96, make their home in Kannapolis. Sara Ellington Behnke ’96 reports that her lifelong dream came true when her friend, Stephanie Triplett, and she signed a con-tract with a publisher for their book The Mommy Chronicles: Conversations Sharing the Comedy and Drama of Pregnancy and New Motherhood. She is publishing the book under her maiden name, Sara Elling-ton. Sara lives in Charlotte with her husband, David, and two children, Anna and Cade. Richard Hudson ’96 has been chosen as chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx. For the past six years Richard worked as Rep. Robin Hayes’ district director and deputy chief of staff. He also managed Hayes’ last two re-election campaigns. Richard served on the UNC Charlotte Alumni Board of Governors, was class president 1993-94, and was chair of the Triangle Chapter of Alumni. Richard lives in Washington, D.C Derek Catsam ’96 has taken a job as assis-tant professor at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas. He works on modern U.S. and African history with an emphasis on race, politics and social history. He also does work on global terrorism and on sports. He received his Ph.D. from Ohio University in 2003. 22 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ A L U M N I N O T E S THE TUXEDO LADY SELLS STYLE More than a decade ago, while dining out with her father, LaShanda Millner-Murphy ’88 overheard a man trying to convince another to buy his formalwear shop. Before leaving the restaurant, Millner-Murphy slipped the owner her business card and asked that he consider selling his business to her. Two years later, he did, and “Tuxedo Lady” not only is the name of her shop but the moniker by which Millner-Murphy is affectionately known. When customers enter the Tuxedo Lady, Millner-Murphy flashes her huge signature smile and offers a friendly welcome. She doesn’t just allow them to browse the tuxedo-clad mannequins on display, but provides a tutorial on style and colors and suggestions on what to wear for certain occasions. She says that’s one of the main reasons she opened a business for men – they appreciate her expertise. “Men sometimes don’t think of the finer details,” said Millner- Murphy. “They appreciate my female perspective and expertise in this business… I often joke that I’m the ‘other woman’ in their lives.” Whether it’s lecturing teenage boys on how to order pants that fit their waists (“not hanging off their butts,” she says with a laugh), chasing a UPS driver all over town to ensure a timely delivery or special ordering 18 tuxedos for bridesmaids, Millner-Murphy has the finesse and skill of any good CEO. A longtime retailer, she knows what it takes to make her clients happy and her business successful, traits she learned before leaving grade school. Growing up in Winston-Salem, Millner-Murphy always knew she’d become a business owner. Not only was it her dream, but it was expected. As young as age 6, she remembers helping her father, who has always been an entrepreneur, in one of his several businesses. Two years before enrolling at UNC Charlotte to study business administra-tion, she launched her own ladies boutique. While a student, she returned to her hometown on weekends to manage her business. Despite classes and operating her own company, Millner- Murphy became involved in campus activities, including student government and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was one of the university’s first Gold Duster dance members. She remains involved with her alma mater, currently serving as chair of the events commit-tee for the Alumni Board of Governors, vice president of the univer-sity’s Black Alumni Chapter and a volunteer with the APPLE Project that pairs alumni with teachers who graduated from UNC Charlotte. Millner-Murphy says the continued involvement with UNC Charlotte and the business administration degree she earned at the university has helped to enhance the skills that her father instilled early on. “My father raised me in an entrepreneurial environment,” she said. “He taught me to have my own business, not just to be my own boss. The opportunity forces you to be resourceful and to use your own creativity instead of relying on someone else’s ideas.” Her father’s advice paid off. The formalwear shop, located in the appropriately named Wedding Mall in Charlotte, has recently expanded to two satellite locations in uptown Charlotte and Concord. – Natasha Ashe-Suber Ahmed Daniels ’89 is the founder of Cre-ative Interchange, an organization created to encourage and facilitate non-blaming experiential workshops for persons of different ethnic groups. The 100 Black Men of America has recognized him for his leadership, dedication and commitment to this youth male mentoring program. Ahmed has served as facilitator for two of former Gov. Jim Hunt’s N.C. Initiative on Race conferences. He makes his home in Charlotte. Sherry Bright ’89 has been named execu-tive director of Family Resources, Inc. Sherry has been with Family Resources 14 years, most recently serving as the develop-ment director. She makes her home in Ellenboro with her husband, Brannon, and two children, Montana and McCray. Mike Legg ’89 has accepted a permanent position as city manager of Kannapolis after serving as interim city manager. Mike makes his home in Concord. Dean Belk ’90 has started Allied Consult-ing Engineers, which specializes in build-ing design. Dean is living in Denver, N.C., with his wife, Karissa, and daughter Cassie, 12, and son Will, 10. A L U M N I N O T E S ▪ S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 25 her experiences and her relationships with teammates and friends. Amber says that attending UNC Charlotte was one of the best things she has done. Births Wendy Atkinson Simmons ’92 and her husband, Robert Brad Simmons ’92, proudly announce the birth of their first child, Gage Robert Simmons, in August 2004. Wendy works for Carolinas Healthcare System, and Brad works for Carolina Trust Bank. The family resides in Huntersville. Lynette Lockley ’98 and Myron Cloud proudly announce the birth of their son, Marcus Gabriel, on Oct. 20, 2004. Lynette is a medical staff coordinator at Carolinas Med-ical Center.The family resides in Charlotte. Michelle Torres Kitchen ’98 and her husband, Ryan Kitchen, proudly announce the birth of their son, Drake Vincent McKenzie Kitchen, on Aug. 6, 2004. The family lives in Charlotte. Rebecca Batcho Brittain ’98 and Barry Brittain ’98 are excited to announce the birth of their son, Aiden Elmer Brittain, on Nov. 22, 2004. The family lives in Catawba. Heather Rigsbee Lampe ’00 is a stay-at-home mother for her daughter, Reaghan Michelle Lampe, who will be two in July. Heather says she, her husband, Chad, and Reaghan are living the good life in Fort Worth, Texas. Anna Narolewska Westmoreland ’00 has opened the Law Office of Anna N. West-moreland on Monroe Road in Charlotte. She and her husband, Thomas Westmore-land III ’01, make their home in Oakboro. Jon Wickersham ’00 has a new position at NPower Charlotte Region, a non-profit technical assistance organization in Charlotte. Jon made his way back to the Charlotte area from Delaware. Lea Anderson ’01 has earned a master’s of fine arts degree in computer arts/motion graphics from The Savannah College of Art and Design. Lea makes her home in Savannah, Ga. Christie Sears ’01, account supervisor for Walker Marketing and vice president of programs for the Business Marketing Asso-ciation of the Carolinas, has been desig-nated a Certified Business Communicator. This credential recognizes high standards of professionalism, education, experience and professional conduct in the field of business-to-business marketing and com-munications. To date, only 3,000 individ-uals nationwide have received this honor. Christie resides in Charlotte. Jennifer Hatley ’01, ’03 M.Acc. is employed by Bank of America as a finan-cial analyst and officer in the Corporate Cost Accounting Group. She serves as treasurer for the Miss Stanly County Scholarship Pageant Association and volunteers with the American Diabetes Association. Jennifer lives in Oakboro. Brian Sheehan ’02 is owner and president of Charlotte Swim Club Management. In only its third year of operation, the com-pany manages eight pools between exits 23 and 28 off I-77 including those at Birkdale and Jetton Cove. Brian resides in Huntersville. Amber Beam ’02 received her master’s in industrial organizational psychology in May 2004 from George Mason University in Virginia. Amber is an associate at Caliber Associates, a consulting firm in Fairfax, Va. Paula Bishop ’02, ’03 B.Arch. has accepted a position as an intern architect with Atelier Architects in Washington, D.C. She makes her home in Rockville, Md. Clay Aiken ’03 was busy in 2004. He released a 2005 calendar, a book called Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life about his journey from being a UNC Charlotte student to becoming a pop star, and a holiday album. Also, for the second consecutive year, he sang to Miss America contestants at the annual pageant in Atlantic City. This time, he serenaded the winner with the runway standard “There She Is.” Balemba Kubuanu ’03 and his wife Anne Kubuanu ’03 started The Global, Hope, Peace & Health Incorporated. They intend for the nonprofit to provide a medium through which to expose the Charlotte community to the plight and unique health issues of the Congo, its culture, food and people. Balemba and Anne are enrolled in our Masters of Science Program of Community Health Nursing. The couple resides in Charlotte. Matthew Cianella ’04 has been hired by Arthur Wylie ’99 as wealth manager at Arthur Wylie Wealth Management Group and Capital Realty Group where he interned during 2003-2004. Matthew makes his home in Charlotte. Will Lawrence ’04 became the third son and fifth family member to graduate from UNC Charlotte. Others are brother, Drew, and his wife, Jennifer Miller Lawrence, who graduated in ’97, and brother Clint ’97 and his wife, Kristi Davis Lawrence ’00. Will continues on at UNC Charlotte as a graduate student pursuing a master’s in photo-chemistry. All the Lawrence sons were Kappa Sigma Fraternity members. Marriages Pete Overcash ’01 was married to Christina Driscoll on May 29, 2004, at the Duke University Chapel in Durham. Pete plans to graduate in May with a master’s of divinity from Duke and is currently serving as a pastor in the Western North Carolina Con-ference of the United Methodist Church. Pete and Chrissy reside in Chapel Hill. Births Matt Towery ’00 and Caroline Ha Tow-ery ’00 are happy to announce the birth of their daughter, Reeves Madeline Towery, on Nov. 7, 2004. Matt and Caroline are both mechanical engineers and real estate brokers in the Charlotte area. Janet Lawlor ’03 and her husband, Phillip Lawlor, are the proud parents of a girl. Evie Grace Lawlor was born on April 15, 2004. Janet is now a full-time mother. The family resides in Knoxville, Tenn. What have you been up to lately? Changed jobs? Had a baby? Maybe you’ve been elected to the city council or have been doing a lot of volunteer work. Whether you’ve been made CEO or a new parent, we want to hear from you. Visit the Alumni Affairs Web site at www.uncc49er.net and tell us what you’ve been doing. Or write Alumni Affairs, UNC Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 LET US HEAR FROM YOU 24 S P R I N G 2 0 0 5 ▪ A L U M N I N O T E S Marriages Christopher Crowell ’93 married Lori Raso on Aug. 28, 2004. Christopher works in advertising sales for The Star-Ledger in Newark, N.J., the 15th largest newspaper in the country. The Crowells reside in Bedminster, N.J. Laura Hill ’90 married Douglas Reece ’97 on Oct. 2, 2004. The happy couple has moved to Greenville, S.C., where Laura is director of development for St. Francis Hospital. Doug has been promoted to senior vice president in Wachovia’s Risk Management Group. Nalan Karakaya ’97 married Gerrit Mulder on Sept. 6, 2004, in Istanbul, Turkey. Nalan is vice president in Consumer Risk Management at Bank of America. The couple lives in Charlotte. Jennifer Caldwell ’97 married Mark Williams on Oct. 2, 2004. Jennifer is a registered nurse in the Geriatric Psychiatric Unit at Northeast Medical Center. The Williamses reside on Lake Norman. Laura Hughes ’97 married Gregory Reece on March 19, 2004. The couple resides in Antioch, Tenn. Clint Lawrence ’97 and Drew Lawrence ’97 are working in the family business, Lawrence and Associates, a professional surveying and engineering firm in Monroe. Drew and his wife, Jennifer Miller Lawrence ’97, live in Monroe. Clint and his wife, Kristi Davis Lawrence ’00, live in Matthews. Meredith Alderman ’98 married Beau Johnson on May 28, 2004 in Delray Beach, Fla. Although a business graduate, she recently changed careers and is now a certi-fied math teacher at Saint Andrew’s School. The couple lives in Boynton Beach, Fla. Kristi Seamon ’98 married Robert Fal-lowes on Aug. 30, 2003. They make their home in Charlotte, where Kristi does accounting for Blue Ridge Wholesale Wine. Amber Filbeck ’99 married Shaun Hoyem on April 24, 2004. Amber has moved back to California where she is a science teacher at Serrano Intermediate (her old junior high school) in Lake Forest, Calif., and she has bought a house in nearby Mission Viejo. She says she has wonderful memo-ries of her years at UNC Charlotte. As a volleyball player, Amber got to travel and see different parts of our nation and experience different cultures. She treasures COMPUTER PROGRAMMER “FOILS” THE COMPETITION When most people think about fencing, they head to the nearest home improvement store. Just a few years ago, Brian Toomey ’98, owner and head coach of the Charlotte Fencing Academy, probably would have, too. By day, Toomey is a computer programmer and senior developer for RR Donnelley, one of North America’s largest printing companies. By night, he trades in his business attire for a mask and coach’s jacket; and swaps his pc for an epee. The fencing expert hasn’t always been interested in the sport. In fact, the well-known, well-respected instructor says his interest was a fluke. “I needed to take an elective while a student at UNC Charlotte,” Toomey recalls. “And I thought fencing sounded pretty cool.” Toomey, a cross country runner who was involved in martial arts, admits he didn’t expect to be bent over trying to catch his breath after the first class. He says the sport is extremely challenging both physically and mentally. “It helps you to keep your wits about you and is definitely called physical chess for a reason,” he said. “If you’re quick, but don’t think tactically, you’ll become a shishkabob.” Once Toomey adjusted to the pace, he says he did well in the class and became keenly inter-ested in the sport. A short time later, he joined the UNC Charlotte fencing club and was a club officer. A couple of years later, Toomey would become a coach and teach fencing to fellow students. After receiving his computer science degree, Toomey landed a job in the field, but remained active on the local fencing circuit by attending area clubs and honing his skills. However, he never felt the clubs met his needs – and he wasn’t alone. So Toomey began The Charlotte Fencing Acad-emy, a decision he says was a good one. The academy is one of only four clubs in Charlotte and among nearly 22 similar clubs across the state. Since it started nearly three years ago, he has added five coaches and the membership has steadily increased from three to 60, mostly by word of mouth. Many of the academy’s fencers are considered among the best in the sport and have earned national honors. “We’ve increased our national medal count to six,” Toomey said. “I joke that I’m the worst fencer of the group. There are a lot of coaches who don’t do so well themselves, but coach some of the best students. We’re lucky to say we have more than a few great students.” – Natasha Ashe-Suber What are the 49 things that every 49er should know? No matter when you graduated, there are some things that connect us all to UNC Charlotte. Share what you think makes UNC Charlotte special. Send your suggestions to pubinfo@email.uncc.edu. 10. Gang Green – raising the spirit – and the temperature - in Halton Arena. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte 9201 University City Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Charlotte, NC Permit No. 949 49 things every 49er knows |
OCLC number | 28166485 |