Pamela Davies
Queens University of Charlotte 
By: Jill Santuccio
    
                          
Dr. Pamela Davies, president of Queens University of Charlotte, addressed the Rotary Club of Charlotte for the first time since 2003. Speaking from the theme of "this isn't your mother's Queens," she elucidated how Queens University of Charlotte has embraced the transition from what is traditionally viewed as a small, women's liberal arts college.
  
No longer small, traditional undergraduate enrollment is around 1,200 this year with about 2,600 total students in all programs, including graduate and part-time students. No longer solely a women's school, Queens became co-educational 23 years ago and boasts a growing male enrollment fueled by such strategies as adding a lacrosse team. "I've been told the only reason to add baseball would be to make the soccer and lacrosse players look well-behaved," she quipped.
 
Debunking the liberal arts college mystique, she explained the transition to Queens University of Charlotte eight years ago was more than just a name- and branding-change. Universities differ from colleges in that universities offer multiple schools or colleges in varying disciplines and offer master's degree programs. She described all six of the current schools and colleges:
 
College of Arts & Sciences is where all freshmen start with traditional studies before declaring a major that may be in one of the other academic schools. The McColl School of Business is in its thirtieth year and offers a new master's program in organizational development that is receiving high accolades early in addition to the MBA program recently recognized by CEO magazine. The Cato School of Education offers a professional program in school administration that enrolls the best and brightest in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system.
 
The School of Communication takes advantage of Charlotte being a top-25 media market and has been recognized for work in social media, frequently partnering with the Charlotte Observer. The Blair College of Health partners with Presbyterian Hospital on nursing programs and offers a master's degree in healthcare administration. Hayworth College is the go-to place for evening, continuing, online and part-time students.
  
U.S. News and World Report recognized Queens University of Charlotte as number two in the nation for study-abroad programs. During junior year, nearly every student selects a country to travel to during their fall semester, studies about that country during spring semester, then spends three weeks in that country at the end of the semester. In most cases, there is no additional charge for the study abroad.
 
Other accolades include five North Carolina Professor of the Year instructors - more than any other college or university in the state; Professor Elizabeth Strout receiving the 2009 Pulitzer Prize; Cathy Smith Bowers being named the 2010 N.C. Poet Laureate by Governor Beverly Perdue. A notable guest speaker series over the years has attracted Robert Kennedy Jr., Andrew Weil, Cokie Roberts and others.
 
Davies finished the program by taking questions: about growth of the "Queens Corridor" stretching from an option to buy the federal courthouse uptown to the 65-acre sports complex at Marion Diehl Center on Tyvola Road; that a law school was not out of the question and that challenges over the next decade included affordability issues and the "arms race" of constructing new facilities.
 
The club got a laugh when president John Snyder, erroneously stated that a contribution to the RI Foundation in Davies' name would support efforts to "eradicate Rotary around the world" when he meant to say "eradicate polio around the world."
       
Head Table: Marilynn Bowler, Todd Hartung, John Snyder, Bill Nichols, Vinny Satchit, Carol Jordan; 
Invocation: Alice Harrison;
Visitors & Guests: Mark Norman; Health & Happiness: Pender McElroy; Song: Matt Ryan; Piano: Thomas Moore; Photos: Bert Voswinkel

• Charlotte West Rotary Club has moved their meetings to the Morehead Inn, 1122 E. Morehead St. Time did not change - 12:30.
    
• Tod Thorne has a role as the martini drinking, Methodist Bishop, who fires the star (Ricky Schroder) in the film "Blood Done Sign My Name"; David Erdman continues on the speaking trail. He presented a program of 250 historic pictures entitled "Charlotte At War" to over 100 residents at Sun City, SC; Tom Hutchins had outpatient surgery this week; President John expressed thanks to Jessica Dupree and David Barnhardt for their work setting up the AV equipment.; George Robinette is in Pittsburg for his last cycle of medical treatments.
   
• Jim Adams says the change of seasons is the time to start putting aside items for the November clothing drive to benefit Crisis Assistance Ministry. As you pull out the spring and summer garments, remember to put aside the warm coats and sweaters for the club's November clothing collection.
 
• Everyone seemed to enjoy the presentation on Our State Magazine by Bernie Mann. If you would like to sign up for a FREE subscription, send an email to Trisha Robinson, trobinson@ourstate.com.

• James Tolliver recognized students from the Myers Park Interact Club. The thirty-five member club meets bi-weekly and actively supports Habitat for Humanity and Urban Ministries. They have designed an awesome tee-shirt that will let everyone know they represent Rotary International and Interact.
  
• October 5: Mecklenburg County Joint Rotary Club Annual Meeting at the Blake Hotel. David H. Murdock, Billionaire, Chairman of Dole Foods, and Founder and Visionary of the North Carolina Research Campus, will be the keynote speaker.
       
• The next Flight of Honor is scheduled for April 10th. For those not familiar, FOH is a District-wide project to fly WW II Veterans to Washington on a day-trip to visit their memorial. Charlotte Rotary was a generous supporter of two previous flights. Anyone wishing to make a personal donation to this project can make their check payable to Rotary Flight of Honor and send to the Rotary office.
  
• ROTARY DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2010 will be held in Wilmington April 23-25. All Rotarians and their families are invited to attend. Reservations can be booked at the Hilton Riverside, 910-763-5900. Prior to March 22, the rate will be $169 per night. Conference registration rates for Rotarians: $175 (by 2/23), $195 (by 3/22) or $225 (by 4/16). Guest registration: $155 (by 2/23), $175 (by 3/22), $195 (by 4/16). The registration covers 4 meals: Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast & dinner, and Sunday breakfast. Registration can be handled on the District database (www.dacdb.com) 

Should you question the eligibility of any nominee, contact the Rotary office by 3/29/2010.

Attendees to the District Conference in Wilmington are asked to participate in a project to help supply reading material for schools and libraries. To support the District's effort, Charlotte Rotary Club will be collecting new or gently used book for all ages - children's books, educational books, fiction, non-fiction, picture books, travel books, etc. Books may be dropped off at a club meeting over the next few weeks.