Belk College Concludes Its 50th Anniversary
The Belk College of Business is thanking alumni and friends for their support as it concludes its yearlong 50th anniversary.
“The global pandemic pushed us to look for new ways to celebrate our golden anniversary throughout the 2020-21 academic year,” said Jay Davis, executive director of external relations and chair of the 50th anniversary committee. “This also created opportunities for us to use innovative approaches to connect with Business Niners around the globe as well as the business community in the Charlotte region. We deeply appreciate all those who celebrated with us by attending virtual events and sharing their stories and congratulatory messages.”
Here’s a look back at the year.
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August: With the new academic year, a new version of the logo with a celebratory ribbon is introduced along with a new 50th anniversary website. Alumni, faculty and staff are also asked to share their memories through social media and an online form.
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September: The Belk College launches the Dean’s Leadership Series, a new online series that is designed to celebrate the anniversary and also give back to the Charlotte community.
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November: The anniversary moves into high gear with virtual events including the Belk College Alumni Awards and the CEO Speaker Series featuring MBA alumnus Scott Case. The college also celebrated on Nov. 13, the date it was established in 1970, by releasing a video of its history.
Dean Troyer opens the sixth annual Belk College of Business Alumni Awards in November 2020. -
December: The Belk College and the MBA program, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary, is recognized in an eight-page special feature in the UNC Charlotte magazine.
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January: The MBA program launches a new anniversary webpage that outlines history milestones and presents insight from MBA alumni on their own program experiences.
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February: The College partners with the Atkins Library to archive and document the college’s history through the Living History Project, a pilot project to create oral history videos of retired and emeritus faculty.
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March: The College unveils a new video series and landing page that supports the anniversary theme “Green and Gold Drive Business,” highlighting alumni, students and faculty, and their impact on Charlotte. The college also engaged with University and College board members and community partners by mailing them themed “party boxes” to help them celebrate.
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April: Belk College alumni and friends help shatter the college’s #NinerNationGives record, raising over $96,000. Also, alumni around the world answer the call by submitting their photos and video messages for a commemorative video.
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March-May: Faculty and alumni who were instrumental in the college’s history were highlighted through #Facesfor50, a social media feature.
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May: The College closes out the anniversary by celebrating a $2.5 million gift Robert and Melanie Niblock, both 1984 graduates of the Belk College, to create the Niblock Scholars Program.
The 2020-21 academic year also marked the anniversary of two graduate programs: the MBA and the M.S. in Economics. These programs were recognized during the year for their impact and contributions to the Charlotte region. Alumni of the programs also were engaged through events and communications.
The Belk College was established on Nov. 13, 1970.
Green and Gold Drive Business, the 50th anniversary theme, was so well received that it will continue throughout the 2021-22 academic year, Davis said.
Green and Gold Drive Business
Established in 1970, the college offers outstanding business education programs at the undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and executive levels. The Belk College is one of the Carolinas’ largest business schools, with more than 4,600 students, almost 100 full-time faculty, and more than 33,000 alumni. Accredited by AACSB International, the college is committed to building strong partnerships in the greater Charlotte region and beyond as North Carolina’s urban research business school. Learn more about how the Belk College is driving business at belkcollege.charlotte.edu, and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Learn more about the Belk College 50th Anniversary
