2020 Alumni Awards

Honorary Alumnus Award At the time of his retirement on June 30, 2020, Dr. Philip L. Dubois, UNC Charlotte’s fourth chancellor, was the senior chancellor in the University of North Carolina system. He led the system’s fastest-growing and third largest institution, directing a 43% growth in enrollment, an expansion of academic programs, implementation of diversity-related […]

Distinguished Faculty Award As professor of English, director of the American Studies Program and a faculty fellow for the Martin Scholars, Jeffrey Leak has been a leader in diversity, equity and inclusion throughout his career. He has demonstrated exceptional leadership for many years in positions of increasing responsibility across widely divergent areas of UNC Charlotte, […]

Outstanding Young Alumni Award After an initial career as a professional musician, Kevin Brawley decided he wanted to share his passion for music in a different way. After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in music education from the College of Art + Architecture, he became an award-winning Charlotte-Mecklenburg School music educator at Torrence Creek Elementary […]

Outstanding Young Alumna Award Shabari Basu is an accomplished business woman, scientist and engineer. She is an active member of not only the Florida corporate and UNC Charlotte communities, but of the larger global community finding sustainable sources of energy for humankind. Shabari received her MBA from the Belk College Business in an unprecedented 1.5 […]

Distinguished Alumnus Award With 50 years of experience in the car wash business, Chuck Howard is one of the most highly regarded car wash operators in America. Even before receiving his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Belk College of Business, he worked alongside his father, Charlie Howard Sr., Autobell’s® founder. Chuck is now […]

Distinguished Alumna Award After a distinguished career spanning more than 30 years in legal, government and corporate positions, including serving as special assistant to the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, and as managing director of Citigroup, Wendy Grubbs currently serves as an independent consultant. Wendy received her bachelor’s degree in political […]

Bonnie E. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award John Cato has distinguished himself as a dedicated business leader, philanthropist and ardent supporter of UNC Charlotte. Through his words and action, he has always demonstrated his admiration for his company, his community and his university. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Belk College of […]