A week of Celebrations
The 157th anniversary of our founding was not just a celebration of our University, but it also served as an opportunity to officially welcome and Inaugurate our 15th President, Valerie Kinloch Ph.D. '96.
The week of events kicked off with a joint concert titled “Portrait of a Queen,” featuring the JCSU Concert Choir, JCSU Drumline and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. This year was the second consecutive year of this partnership. More than 400 tickets were issued for this event, held inside the Jack S. Brayboy Gymnasium, April 2, 2024.
Golden Bulls from across campus participated in a day of community service, during which each student, faculty and staff member was asked to give just an hour of their time to participate in one of four community service projects.
The day started off with the return of a long-kept tradition, the Scholarship Luncheon, which allowed annual and endowed scholarship donors to meet students who are the direct beneficiaries of their contributions.
In the afternoon, the University held the Inaugural Panel Discussion Black Educational and Economic Empowerment, a discussion with thought leaders to discuss these important topics.
The day the whole campus has been waiting for arrived Friday as hundreds of students, faculty, staff and special guests packed the Crown Ballroom at the Charlotte Convention Center for the inauguration ceremony.
After the ceremony, the campus community gathered back on campus to celebrate the event.
A celebration is demanded after a ceremony like an inauguration. On Saturday, donors, friends of the University, faculty, staff and students gathered again in the Crown Ballroom at the Charlotte Convention Center for the Arch of Triumph Awards and Inaugural Ball.
Sunday started off with a big "Thank You" to those who have graciously given to our University. More than 20 alumni and friends of the university ushered into the New Science Center's Innovation Room to be recognized for their support and financial contributions to JCSU over the years at the annual 1867 Giving Societies Brunch.
The afternoon concluded with the final event of the week, the annual Founders' Day Convocation featuring an address by Garry L. McFadden ’81, Sheriff of Mecklenburg County.