David Hauser ’77

Distinguished Alumnus Award

If you have spent any time on the UNC Charlotte campus on a football game day, you’ll notice thatthe pre-game atmosphere has grown exponentially ever since the 2015 construction of the Hauser Alumni Pavilion – a short walk from the stadium.

Named for David Hauser and his wife, Nancy (’77),the 8,000-square-foot pavilion opened in the fall of 2015 and has hosted over 7,500 guests since its debut; a single event is able to accommodate over 700 guests. While principally used as a meeting ground for alumni tailgates for every home game, the pavilion is also for University use, such as Resident Advisor training, staff socials, department gatherings, as well as private events. “We’re calling it an alumni pavilion,” says David. “But I think it is much more than that.”

After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Furman University, he arrived at UNC Charlotte to earn his MBA from the Belk College of Business in 1977. David began working for Duke Power – now Duke Energy – in 1973, holding various positions during his tenure, most notably as Chief Financial Officer and Group Executive, from which he retired in 2009. He went on to become the Chairman and CEO of FairPoint Communications Inc., helping turn around a struggling company until his second retirement in 2010. He now remains active in the community as a Certified Public Accountant and a member of The North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants.

David remains intimately involved at his alma mater. In addition to sitting on the University’s Board of Trustees for eight years, he has also served as a member of the Foundation Board of Directors, sat on the Belk College of Business Advisory Board, taught a finance course, and served on the Athletic Foundation Board – even acting as one of the executive chairs on the 49ers Football Fundraising Capital Team.

David is one of the leading examples of giving back to the University. His ongoing commitment to the University is now prominently and permanently displayed in the middle of campus with the Hauser Alumni Pavilion. One of his ambitions is to encourage other alumni to take ownership of their alma mater and to give back. Since the opening of the pavilion, the University has seen two additional buildings,one college, and a new program named for UNC Charlotte alumni.

“If something is important to you, you should get involved,” says David. “I encourage people to get involved — in the University and in whatever their other passions are in life.”