UNC CHARLOTTE | n e w s
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news briefs Coughter named Executive Director of UNC Charlotte Center City Jerry Coughter has been named executive director of UNC Charlotte Center City, the new $50.4 million classroom building in the heart of the city’s business district. He joined the University on Feb. 1. Construction is nearly complete on the 12-story structure, which is the is the only University of North Carolina classroom building conceived Jerry Coughter and designed specifically to serve the business, organizations and people of the urban center. In the fall of 2011, students in UNC Charlotte’s MBA program and other graduate programs will attend classes in the latest addition to downtown Charlotte’s skyline. Coughter comes from George Mason University, where he had been campus executive officer of the campus in Loudoun County, Va., since 2007. In addition to managing day-to-day operations of the campus, Coughter coordinated a public planning process in partnership with the local community college, school system, and business community resulting in the largest-ever gift to the university, a 37-acre, $17.3 million property to become the permanent campus. “UNC Charlotte Center City is a great opportunity to connect the University to the city in new ways and to showcase and build upon our shared talents and expertise,” Coughter said. “I’m looking forward to have a chance to play a role in all the good things that will emerge from developing this partnership.” Provost Joan Lorden said Coughter’s experience makes him an ideal fit for the Charlotte Center City position. “The success of the UNC Charlotte Center
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City is vital to our long-term plan to populate the urban center with our considerable intellectual resources,” she said. “Jerry is ready to take on the challenge of using this facility to connect us to the community and connect them to the main campus.” Coughter also served as assistant vice president for regional economic development and as director of life science management at GMU. His previous experience includes executive director of the Governor’s Biotechnology Initiative for the Commonwealth of Virginia and management experience in private industry. He earned a bachelor’s degree in
microbiology-molecular biology at Clemson University, a Masters .in Microbiology and Immunology at Virginia Commonwealth University and an MBA from Shenandoah University. He is a doctoral candidate in Science and Technology Policy at George Mason University. Center City Building will offer several of the University’s graduate-level programs, including the Belk College of Business MBA. The university’s Urban Design Studio will also be based there. In addition, graduate-level classes in Continued on p. 34
Howard Receives Patriot Award Michele Howard, dean of students, received the Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). In presenting the award, ESGR representative Henry Bridgers praised Howard and the University as employers that supported workers who served in the National Guard and Reserves. Todd Delp, assistant director for student conduct, nominated Howard for the honor. A member of the Navy Reserve, Delp and his unit was mobilized from June 2008 through May 2009. During this time, he was deployed to Iraq for seven months. In his nomination letter, Delp wrote that Howard and Christine Reed Davis “have gone above and beyond to support me during my deployment to the Middle East and annual Reserve training requirements. “ He added that while on active duty, they maintained constant communication with him and arranged a smooth transition when he returned, and they continue to support his monthly training requirements. Delp also acknowledged the support of the Human Resources Department during his deployment. A part of the Department of Defense, the ESGR is comprised of approximately 4,500 volunteers, ranging from business executives, senior government representatives, educators and military personnel who serve on local ESGR field committees. Using resources from the National ESGR headquarters in Arlington, Va., the 56 field committees conduct employer support programs, including informational briefings, mediation and recognition of employers whose policies support or encourage participation in the National Guard and Reserve.
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