unc charlotte news briefs
Diane Browder
Receives First Citizens
Bank Scholars Medal
For numerous notable contributions to
the field of special education, Diane Browder
received the 2009 First Citizens Bank
Scholars Medal in April. This prestigious
award, presented by First Citizens Bank and
UNC Charlotte, honors faculty scholarship
and intellectual inquiry.
"For 22 years, First Citizens Bank has
joined in partnership with UNC Charlotte
to present the Scholars Medal Award to an
outstanding university faculty member,” said
Marc Horgan, Mecklenburg area executive
for First Citizens Bank. “Dr. Browder
continues this long-standing tradition of
excellence, and we are proud to honor her
for her scholarship and the difference she
is making the lives of children and their
families.”
While at UNC Charlotte, Browder has
secured more than $8 million in federal
research funding and student support
monies. She has published several books that
are considered seminal within the field of
special education.
Browder, the Snyder Distinguished
Professor of Special Education since 1998,
has been an important leader, mentor and
role model to colleagues and students in the
College of Education.
Browder’s research on educating and
assessing the progress of children with
developmental disabilities has gained
widespread recognition, particularly in
the area of early literacy. Because of her
ground-breaking work, she is frequently
invited to present her findings at national
and international conferences, as well as to
conduct workshops for educators across the
country.
In 2008, Browder was appointed by the
U.S. Secretary of Education to serve on the
U.S. Department of Education National
Technical Advisory Committee, a group that
informs national education policy.
Harvey Gantt Gets
Honorary Degree
At its May commencement UNC Charlotte
conferred approximately 2,850 degrees
- and one honorary degree. In addition
to recognizing graduates, the University
awarded an honorary Doctor of Public
Sendee Degree to architect and former
Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt.
For more than 35 years, Gantt has
devoted his time and energy to improving
the quality of life in the Charlotte region. As
a champion of civil rights and proponent of
urban revitalization, Gantt has demonstrated
visionary leadership in his roles as a public
servant, professional and private citizen.
"Harvey Gantt’s personal motto is 'help
make someone’s life a little better every day.’
Through his vision, passion and tenacity,
Gantt epitomizes that belief. His persistence
and pioneering spirit have helped usher
in change in the greater Charlotte region,
transforming thousands of lives for the
better," noted Chancellor Philip L. Dubois.
Most recently, Gantt’s firm partnered
with renowned architectural firm Kieran
Timberlake on the University’s new Center
City Building, which will open in the fall of
2011.
Gantt began his political career with a
successful bid for a seat on the Charlotte City
Council, followed by his historic election as
Charlotte’s first African-American mayor. He
has since been lauded for the revitalization
of Center City and the improvement of
transit in the region, among other notable
accomplishments.
Gantt’s efforts as a public servant and
private citizen have been directed toward
lifting up future generations. A firm believer
in the importance and power of education,
Gantt has served on task forces and civic
and foundation boards that seek to ensure
equal opportunity and improve the quality of
public education. Gantt provides mentoring
programs for College of Arts and Architecture
students and shares his expertise through
workshops and lectures.
Harvey Gantt accepts honorary doctorate
from Chancellor Dubois.
to
www.UNCC.edu
