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The following program is a UNC Charlotte production.
Welcome Inside UNC Charlotte.
The Charlotte 49ers kicked off their inaugural football season on August 31, 2013.
We'll look back on the first day and ask students and alumni what it meant to them.
We'll learn more about UNC Charlotte's entry in the Solar Decathlon competition 2013, and
the final project, called "UrbanEden."
Throughout today's program, we'll hear from University donors and scholarship recipients
to learn how donations to the University make direct impacts on student learning.
Plus, we'll learn about the first number 49 football jersey for the Charlotte 49ers.
All this and more Inside UNC Charlotte.
August 31, 2013.
That was an historic day here at UNC Charlotte.
49ers football kicked off its inaugural season.
We walked the campus that morning to take in all the sights and sounds of tailgating,
and pre-game events.
Along the way, we asked students and alumni what that day meant to them.
I'm here with Chris Barbee, who is a graduate of the College of Engineering and Engineering
Technology degree in 2001.
And Chris, I understand you had a little bit longer commute than some of us to get to the
game today.
Can you tell me a little about that?
It started last night around 11 o'clock.
I left my house in Florida, 534 miles to here.
I got here in Charlotte around 7 o'clock this morning.
Now why was it that you were leaving so late?
My oldest son, this is his senior year, and he's a football player and you know, you can't
miss that game.
And so what happened?
42-13, they won.
So then why was it so important for you to get back here since you had that personal
commitment down in Florida?
It's because I've been waiting a long, long time for this.
So, I was not going to miss this game.
That is for sure.
So, how much do you think you'll be able to make it up here for games?
We've slated probably around four games this year.
So, do you have any prediction for the game today?
49-0, just like the chancellor said.
Well, I think that makes a lot of sense.
That's great.
Well, thank you so much for being with us and I hope you have a great time, and I think
we can all say, Go Niners!
Go Niners!
You would think being clear across campus from Jerry Richardson Stadium and all of the
action that student tailgating would be a little less exciting, but these 49ers will
tell you you would be absolutely wrong.
All right, Olivia, what's your motivation for being out here today?
We're making history, how can you not be out here?
So the tailgating area, what did you contribute?
I made a black bean and corn dip, so we'll see if they like it.
I don't know!
Hey, you brought something, so that's the first rule.
You get a pass in my book.
Tell me, you're a junior, your student fees have paid for this moment.
What does it mean to finally have UNC Charlotte football today?
You know, it's just a fact that ever since I've been at this campus, we have had an issue
of people staying on campus on a Saturday.
So, having so many students get together for one purpose, it really does feel good.
Awesome!
And Nick, we have a full season to look forward to, you've been sweating like crazy because
you're the grill master, and I'm not mad at that.
Are you going to be doing this every single home game?
Every game, whenever they throw me I'll just put it on the grill and give it back to them.
Make them happy, so.
Awesome.
So what organization are you with today?
We're with Sig Ep.
Yeah, one request.
On the count of three, give me your loudest, proudest "let's go 49ers!"
One, two, three!
Let's go 49ers!!!
Hi, I'm standing here with Karen Reavis, Karen, how are you?
I'm doing great!
Go Niners!
All right!
So how are you connected with the school?
I am an alumni from 1979, I graduated from the school.
I'm also on the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
And I'm out here to celebrate for football today.
OK, so it's safe to say you're a big 49ers fan.
I'm a big 49ers fan.
Absolutely.
Well, what have you witnessed this morning walking around in the tailgate section?
You know what?
Everybody is out, everybody's got smiles on their faces, they're tailgating, they're cooking,
they're drinking, they're just celebrating, and everybody's got big smiles on their faces.
So it's awesome.
Cool.
We'll speaking of that, what are your tailgating plans, what are you planning to do for the
year?
Well, we haven't worked that out yet, today we're going to savor the moment, that we've
been waiting for this for many years, and we're going to walk around and visit all the
tailgates, the Alumni tent, and everybody else, and just enjoy and savor the day, and
we'll figure it out from there.
OK, well enjoy yourself.
Let's hear your best 49ers cheer.
Go Niners!!!
Woo!
I'm now here with Bill Brawley, who is a 1978 graduate, he has a bachelors in accounting
from UNC Charlotte.
But more importantly, he's a big friend of ours on so many different levels, including
he's a representative in the North Carolina House, but also a huge supporter of the University.
Bill, welcome.
Thank you!
Gosh, looking forward to this for years.
(cheering)
So this is really exciting for alums like you as well, to see this come together.
You have no idea.
You have no idea at all how much fun it is to come out on gameday.
And I know you've got a daughter that's a student here now?
That's right, she's an undergraduate in the school of education, and my wife is also an
alum, class of '78.
Well, that's wonderful.
So this is a family affair?
Absolutely!
So, you're planning on being here all season, for all of the home games.
I am going to be at as many as I can make.
That's great.
Well, we really appreciate that.
So, tell me what the thing is that you're looking forward to the most today, since you've
been dreaming about this for so long?
It's all gravy.
There's absolutely nothing that's going to happen today that's not going to be good.
If we come out and do great and have a big win, super.
And if we don't, still, super!
We're in the game.
We're here.
And it's about time.
For all the guys on television today watching this, Go Niners!!!
Go Niners!!!
Thank you very much, Bill.
I'm here with Richard Hudson, who is the U.S. Congressman representing the area, but more
importantly, he's a UNC Charlotte grad and a big 49er fan.
Hello, Richard, how are you?
I'm great!
What a terrific day to be a 49er.
It really is!
Now I understand you have a little bit of history here with the Athletics groups.
Well, when I was student body president, I was able to break the ground for the new Student
Activities Center with a backhoe.
So that was pretty exciting.
Well, that's exciting, but it doesn't match what you're doing today.
Oh, just to ride into campus, and see everybody tailgating and getting ready and all the excited
fans out there, it's a great day to be a 49er.
That's wonderful.
So you've been all around campus today but I know that you're excited about being able
to see the kickoff as well, right?
Yeah, I'm so excited about the kickoff.
We've been going around sampling the different food at the tailgating but we can't wait for
kickoff.
That's great.
Well, I will let you get to your seats then.
But thank you so much for stopping by and talking with us.
Great, thank you.
I'm here with Joel Shelton.
Good morning, Joel, how are you?
Doing great!
Hope you are.
Yeah, we're really excited.
So, tell me how you're connected with the school, first of all.
Well, I'm class of 1997, bachelor of fine arts with a graphic design degree.
Excited to be here with some old alums, that we got together with for this first, inaugural
game.
There's only one first one, right?
That's right.
Well, what do you think our chances are today?
I think we're going to win, of course!
Yeah, of course we are.
Well what's the point of losing now?
Let's continue then.
Let's keep it undefeated.
Good.
Well, I don't want to keep away from the festivities, but thanks for coming out today and Go Niners!
Absolutely, Go Niners!
I am now here with Tim Ernst.
Tim is the former SGA president from back in 2009 and he was the one that lead the effort
for the student approval for the football team.
So Tim, great to see you hear today, first of all, thank you very much for those efforts.
Thank you.
And I think it's important to note that you are here from New York City right now.
I am.
I flew a long way to get down here, but I wouldn't miss it for the world.
So, I'm happy to be here.
Well, that's great.
We're thrilled to have you here.
So I understand you kind of been around campus a little bit today, seeing a bunch of your
old college buddies, and kind of checking it out.
What have you spotted so far?
A lot of changes, there's a few new buildings that I haven't seen, there's a few new things
around.
A few of us were reminiscing about the old track that used to be now where the Student
Union is and all the things that used to be here, and we all just can't believe how much
it's changed in such a short amount of time.
But I also understand you're a little bit involved with some alumni efforts up in New
York.
Can you tell me a little about that?
Yeah.
We've started the first regional alumni chapter up in New York, and there's quite a lot of
alumni and they're very energized in New York and it's going pretty well.
Well great.
It's so nice to see you, thank you again for your efforts with the students, and I hope
you have a great time today.
I think we would all say, Go Niners!!!
That's right.
Go Niners!!!
I'm here with Phil Dubois and Lisa Dubois, the chancellor.
I know you're excited that this day is finally here.
Well, this has been a family affair, both within our family and in the University family
for the last seven years.
So it's great to see it come to pass.
And to see all of the students here, alumni, community members, everybody's really excited.
And Lisa, I know you have been very involved in the drumline.
Oh yes.
And I heard them perform a little bit this morning, a little private recital for Gene
Johnson.
So, have you been able to hear them yet this morning?
Oh, we hear them every morning!
We hear them practicing every morning and they are phenomenal.
They're all UNC Charlotte students.
They're so excited to be here.
So now, you've been out and about a lot today, so you've had a chance to see a lot of different
types of folks.
Alums, students, what surprised you when you went out there?
No surprises, but what's been most gratifying has been that three things that we wanted
to see happen here.
We wanted to see a complete collegiate experience.
We wanted to see our alumni engaged in the University.
And we wanted to bring the community out.
We've done all that.
And it will only grow from here.
And that's been the great thing.
To see the way in which your plan comes to pass.
I mean it's all been great the way the community has wanted to make this successful.
And I think today we've done that.
Well, thank you both so much for giving me a little bit of time this morning, and Go
Niners!
Go Niners!
Congratulations, honey.
(cheering)
Well, it was years ago, and we realized how the University was growing so rapidly, and
how they needed support.
And, we liked the direction in which the University was going in, and so we decided to try to
do our little part and create something that might be helpful to others here at the University.
Mrs. Harney, and other donors like her, have made the commitment to support the education
of someone that they don't even know.
And I think that is so selfless and so inspiring that I know it's going to echo throughout
my life.
Everybody in the community could benefit from supporting the University, and allow the University
to be more supportive of the community.
I just want to thank you so much for this. I mean, I was so honored to find out that
I was the recipient of the scholarship, and I can't tell you what it means to me.
Its made my education possible this year.
It really energizes me to see you and to know where you're coming from and where you're
going.
I think your future sounds really bright and unique.
I hope as you go along, you'll understand what the University has done to help you and
that you will in some way, in some form, try to give back to the University.
It was a project two years in the making.
UNC Charlotte students designed and built a net zero solar powered house.
As they compete for top honors in the Solar Decathlon competition for 2013, let's take
a look at their final project.
Welcome to Urban Eden, where you can enjoy garden living in a thriving city.
Urban Eden was designed for Charlotte, North Carolina, a New South city with a metro population
of 2.2 million.
The UNC Charlotte team values the benefits, and reduced carbon footprint,of an urban lifestyle,
with easy access to businesses, cultural sites, parks, and public transportation.
And as an urban infill project, Urban Eden has a small physical footprint, too.
But life in the city doesn't mean you have to give up the enjoyment of nature.
We value the peace of a private garden as much as the bustle of a vibrant city.
So we created a home that brings nature right into the heart of downtown.
Our design begins with urban materials: glass, steel, and concrete. But these materials are
not ordinary.
The glass is highly-insulated and triple-glazed; the steel is 94% recycled and our concrete,
well, it's just plain revolutionary: a geopolymer cement mixture developed at UNC Charlotte
reduces carbon emission by up to 90%.
Since traditional concrete is responsible for 5-8% of the world's greenhouse gasses,
that's a big deal.
The geopolymer is durable and dense, and our insulated walls keep city noise and extreme
temperatures out, creating a comfortable living environment.
But they also contain a secret weapon against energy consumption: Embedded in the walls
is a system of tiny tubes through which water can flow.
On a summer day, the concrete walls gradually soak up heat.
Once the sun goes down, cool water begins to flow through the tubes, removing the heat
and carrying it up to the roof, where a heat exchanger releases the heat into the night
sky.
Let's go inside!
Everything about Urban Eden's design is intended to connect you to the outdoors.
The ash wood floors, treated with heat instead of chemicals, flow from inside to outside
rooms.
Eco-friendly laminated bamboo is used for furniture, cabinetry, and paneling inside
and out.
But the best feature is the southern wall of glass.
Views of the garden and natural light fill the house.
In the winter, sunlight pours through the glass to warm the house.
In the summer, the glass is shaded by the PV panels that generate Urban Eden's energy,
which are mounted on a moveable rack on the roof.
And the doors open wide so that in good weather, the indoor and outdoor spaces become one.
A vertical garden provides privacy, beauty,and even food.
Reflecting ponds collect runoff from the slanted roof, providing rainwater for the plants.
Adaptable furniture makes for versatile living, indoors and out.
A one-bedroom, single family home, Urban Eden comfortably accommodates a couple, Dual Income
No Kids or Empty Nesters.
A Murphy bed, hidden behind the TV cabinet, provides space for overnight guests.
Residents can be proud that their furniture, floors, counters, and paint are eco-friendly.
Likewise, the utilities in the home are low-impact and high-efficiency easily powered by the
8.7 kW photovoltaic panel array.
UrbanEden promotes sustainable living in the heart of a growing city.
We made this gift because we wanted to do something for the University that would last
forever.
So, we called it the Founders Scholarship.
The SIMS Chapter here in Charlotte is only about two years old, and we were looking for
something to make an impact.
We were looking for something that would help us develop the next generation of information
technology professionals.
So we thought, what better way, than to endow a scholarship.
Receiving the scholarship helps in many ways.
First, of course, and most obvious, is financially.
It really helps in that I don't have to get that full-time job in order to sustain myself.
I can focus primarily on my schoolwork.
In addition to that, it goes beyond financial.
It's that little bit of extra pat on the back, that little bit of extra encouragement that
really keeps a person moving along and focused on the goal ahead.
What's really interesting about Charlotte is that we've got such a giving community.
But, sometimes it takes a little more than just somebody opening a checkbook.
They need to be aware of what those dollars go for.
So, I think that if we can take a moment to say, okay, we've got Nick here, and we've
got someone that will be a technology leader, in the next generation, that's what we need
to convey to the rest of the folks in Charlotte, and around the area, to encourage them to
donate.
This University has been great for me.
The faculty here are always here to help.
For instance, the scholarship that SIM provided to me was brought to my attention by one of
the faculty members.
I would recommend this school to anyone.
What everybody wants to do is to make sure they leave some kind of a lasting legacy.
You know, it could be our daughter, and our grandchildren, or the work we did, but one
way to do that was to establish an endowed nursing scholarship out here.
And because I'm a PA and work in emergency medicine, and Nancy retired as a nurse, this
was the ideal scenario, which was to help someone get through their nursing education.
So, she retired from nursing.
She wants to make sure that other folks have the opportunity to step into nursing.
The most rewarding part of that scholarship, and I'll let Nancy talk about that, but it's
the opportunity to meet the student nurse who get is and get a chance to meet them.
Well, I enjoyed meeting the recipient because I like to see what she's doing, what she's
interest in, what her goals for the future are.
And I think it just seems a little more personal to me, to both of us, to be able to really
see the person and to see that this person is benefiting from something that we're actually
contributing to.
Some people think they have to have a lot of money in order to give money.
And, we don't have a lot of money.
We've, like I said, we just want to be able to do something and once we found out that
have to give $25,000 dollars or $50,000 or something like that in order to help someone
out here.
Nancy and I are middle class people.
But I think what it is is being able to put a priority on wanting to make something happen
that benefits somebody else.
And no matter how much or how little money you make, you can do that if you set that
aside and make it a priority.
You know, 30 years from now, when we're probably gone from this earth, people are going to
be able to get a Jim and Nancy Hill scholarship and they're going to ask, "who the heck are
those guys?"
And they may not know who we are, but they'll know that somebody cared enough, 30 years
previously, to go ahead and establish this scholarship to help them get through school.
I believe that a student can make better use of the time on campus, both on an academic
basis, and on a social basis, for learning the skills that are going to be needed for
success later on.
And so I would like to, at least in some way, pass forward the help that I got in the hope
that a student will, one of these days, be out in the working world and perhaps pass
it forward again.
It has opened up an opportunity for me to be social and concentrate on my academics.
It has also been motivation for me, just because, to whom much is given, much is required.
So, it has been pushing me, knowing that I'm being watched. You know, there are many eyes
on me right now.
And I also think that it's good for people, when they can see someone like Isaac, who
is succeeding and doing well in school.
It gives you pleasure, right back.
It's not just that you are doing something for him; he is doing something for us, too.
I'm trying to get as much knowledge as possible right now, about succeeding in academics,
also venturing out into other venues, as far as the military goes.
I'm trying, also, to provide an example for other friends and family members.
Helping the University with scholarship funds provides one an opportunity to pay forward
some of the things that have been done for us.
So, we're helping others, we're pooling our efforts with a number of other donors to increase
the effect of those efforts.
When it comes to 49ers football, head coach Brad Lambert wants the number 49 jersey to
mean something special.
That jersey is going to change on a game to game basis.
And nose tackle Larry Ogunjobi was chosen to be the first 49 in football history.
The coaches, we were sitting around for a year and a half with no players and 49 is
a pretty big number around here, and so we just thought it would be kind of cool to save
that number, not give it to anybody, and then do something different with it.
So, that's kind of where that evolved from, and then, you know, we got some words out
here that mean a lot to us.
And, so we put that on the back of the jersey and we just want it to be not necessarily
the guy that is the best player on the team or plays the best, but kind of embodies a
little of everything, you know.
He's taking care of his business on the field, off the field, and represents our University
in a first class manner.
So, that's kind of our thought there.
When Coach Lambert pulled me aside and said, "we need to talk."
At first, I thought I was in trouble, but afterward he said he wants me to be the first
49, so I felt I was honored.
It was a blessing.
I'm glad he let me wear it.
I heard it was going to become a tradition now.
Where like, you know, if you do good in practice, and you do what you're supposed to do, then
you get to wear the 49 jersey.
And it was a real blessing for them to select me.
Well, "grit" is something that, you know, you have got to set your goals for long term,
and you've got to persevere, and you've got to push through, and that's just part of our
gold standard, and it may be opportunity this week, it may be leadership, it may be determination,
but those are just kind of the terms that we came up with.
We're trying to lay this foundation, and you've got to have some grit to it to see this thing
through.
He wants us to try and make plays and keep the linemen off of our linebackers so they
can make plays too.
Just be the focal point.
Hopefully I'm doing something right, so I'm just going to keep working hard, grinding,
trying to set an example for everybody else, and just show that hard work and dedication
takes you where you need to go.
Thanks, once again, for joining us.
You can see more on the web at inside.uncc.edu.
And all of our segments are on YouTube.
In the meantime, we look forward to seeing you next time, right here, Inside UNC Charlotte.