Advancement

	Dr. Pamela Davies, president of Queens; Kevin S. Baucom, a Hugh McColl, Sr. Fellow; Donor Hugh McColl, Jr.

2009 Scholar's Luncheon scheduled for April 9.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 2, 2008) — On Wednesday, March 26, approximately 175 student scholars, donors, trustees and other members of the campus community gathered at Myers Park Baptist Church in Heaton Hall for the fourth annual Scholars Luncheon.  Annually, Queens disperses nearly $7 million dollars in public and private financial assistance and enables more than 900 students to attend the University through a wide array of funded scholarships, grants and fellowships. The Scholars event provides an ideal venue for celebrating the generosity of donors, the potential of students and the unique experience known as “the Queens culture.” It additionally enables donors to personally connect with the recipients of their scholarships.

President Pamela Davies welcomed the honored guests to the event in Heaton Hall, while entertainment was provided by guitarist James Easteppe, the Ivan F. Chambers Music Scholar. The invocation was provided by Katie Welch, the Dorothy Folger Pence Scholar, while during lunch, the hall was filled with beautiful music provided by pianist Katherine Carol Immler, the Joseph Lammers Music Scholar and Rankin-Cunningham Scholar.

Trustee Emeritus Edwin L. Jones, Jr., who, along with his spouse Lucille, funds a Presidential Scholarship at Queens, spoke very briefly about the importance of scholarships. He additionally presented to President Davies four copies of Hugh Morton: North Carolina Photographer, along with seven copies of a speech entitled “Ultimate Power,” which was delivered by his father Mr. Edwin L. Jones, Sr., to the Men’s Fellowship Club of Meyers Park Country Club on March 11, 1946. He explained that the items were to be considered gifts to the Everett Library at Queens.

	Queens Donor Sarah Bee Craig Johnson ‘57 enjoys the afternoon’s festivities.

The featured speaker for the luncheon was Hugh McColl, Jr., Chairman of the McColl Group LLC, and one of the country’s most highly recognized and respected business leaders.  Prior to co-founding McColl Partners in the fall of 2001 and Falfurrias Capital Partners in 2006, McColl, served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of America from 1983 until his retirement in 2001. Since retiring from his 42-year career at Bank of America, he has also founded two fine art consulting firms: McColl Fine Art in Charlotte, N.C. and MME Fine Art in N.Y. McColl was a member of the Board of Trustees at Queens University of Charlotte for 21 years and served as Board Chairman for the last 14. He currently is Chairman Emeritus at Queens.
 
In her introduction of Mr. McColl President Davies talked about the fact that cities across America have different ideas of what they consider the “measure of a man” to be. In Charlotte, she explained, the “measure of a man,” is about how much he (or she) gives back to the community. “The real heroes are not necessarily the most wealthy or the most powerful, but indeed those who have used their talent and resources to make this a stronger community,” stated Davies. “Not only is Hugh one of those heroes, I think he created the system,” Davies added.

During his time at the podium, McColl talked about the importance of scholarships and the significant role that donors play in enabling young people to get an education. He reminded donors and students that “scholarship support is a good investment that continues to grow through Queens’ graduates who can think, reason and figure out complicated problems that the world presents today.” He additionally suggested that due to the increased number of international students at Queens, an investment in scholarship could also be viewed as an investment in our world. At one point, McColl referred to the current economy and suggested that investing in a student’s education is perhaps the best kind of investment one can make because it is not subject to the ups and downs of the financial market.

The program additionally featured testimonials from three student scholars who summarized what attending Queens has meant to them individually.

Donor Emily Massey ‘58, Class of 1958 International Scholar Evan Sprinkle and Donor Betty Anderson ‘58.

Evan Sprinkle, the Lou Finch Jones Presidential Scholar at Queens and a senior majoring in corporate communications, spoke on behalf of the College of Arts and Sciences. He explained how the internship program at Queens was what initially attracted him to the institution. He attributed the internship program to his growth as both a student and person. He additionally explained how Queens’ CORE curriculum has real-world application, and how the classes he has taken at the University has prepared him to be successful in life. Sprinkle stated that he loves Queens so much that he has decided to stay on and work in the admissions office upon his graduation this spring.
 
Next to speak was Jennifer Smith Daniel, the Ann Everett Belk Scholar. Daniel, who is a non-traditional student enrolled in the Pauline Lewis Hayworth College at Queens, will graduate this May, eight years—and three children—after she began her studies at Queens. Daniel talked about the difficulties she encountered last year when her husband was offered a promotion, which would require her family to move to Texas. At the time of the proposed move, she was only 30 hours short of completing her degree at Queens. “I panicked, but as usual Dean Darrell Miller, Kevin Butler and my professors all rallied around me and we devised a plan,” said Daniel.  “They lived the University’s motto not to be served, but to serve,” she added. Eventually, Daniel’s family came to the conclusion that they did not want to make the move to Texas, and she was able to complete her studies at Queens. She will graduate this May. “Eight years is quite an investment of time and effort, but I feel like Queens has invested in me in return,” stated Daniel.

Kevin S. Baucom, the Hugh McColl, Sr. Fellow and a graduate student within the McColl School of Business, was the last student representative to speak. Baucom, who is currently employed with John R. McAdam Company, explained that his wife is a graduate of the Pauline Lewis Hayworth College, and that she had a very positive experience while at Queens. When he decided to go back to school to get his MBA, Queens quickly rose to the forefront as one of his top choices. “I narrowed my search down to a couple of places, but very quickly realized that there was really only once choice for me and that was the McColl School of Business at Queens,” stated Baucom.  The PMBA student, who stated he was excited to learn that Hugh McColl, Jr., would be the featured speaker for the luncheon, admitted that McColl has been a hero of his and someone he has greatly admired for many years. He also admitted that the McColl name on the business school cinched the deal for him when it came time to apply to graduate school. Baucom also talked about his hectic and tiring schedule of juggling work, school and family, but explained that his coursework at the McColl School energizes him. “When I’m driving home after class in the evening, I should be tired and not wanting to think about anything, but instead I find myself feeling energized and full of ideas,” he said.

After final remarks by President Dr. Pamela Davies, the luncheon drew to a close. It was an inspirational event that reinforced the true spirit of philanthropy and the importance of supporting scholarships at Queens.

Click here for additional photos from the event.

For more information about applying for scholarships visit the Web site or call Eileen Dills at 704 337-2367.

For more information about supporting endowed or annual scholarships at Queens, visit the Web site or contact the Development office, 704-337-2434. 

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Printed from www.Queens.edu.

Queens University of Charlotte
1900 Selwyn Ave.
Charlotte, NC 28274
Phone: 704 337-2200
Fax: 704 337-2403
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