UNC Charlotte has achieved new milestones in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, reflecting significant progress in both academics and research. The university moved up 15 spots to No. 81 among U.S. public universities and climbed 26 spots to No. 152 nationally. This achievement is driven by improvements in graduation rates, first-year retention, and reduced student debt, with research expenditure increases contributing to its rise. Charlotte is also the only public university in North Carolina listed in the “Most Innovative Schools” ranking at No. 45.

“At UNC Charlotte, we are setting records as we move toward becoming the nation’s next preeminent public research university,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber in a press release. “With record enrollment this fall, record graduation and retention rates, and record research expenditures, there’s an unstoppable momentum at Charlotte. Our rise in the rankings reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff, who are deeply committed to transforming the lives of our students.” 

UNC Charlotte’s continued growth in research, particularly through the Ignite initiative, positions it as an academic powerhouse. Research expenditures have soared 272% over the last decade, signaling the university’s progress toward the prestigious Carnegie R1 designation for research excellence. Additionally, the university’s nursing program rose 58 spots to No. 54 in national rankings, while programs in business, engineering, and psychology maintain strong national standings. The school also continues to lead in social mobility, rising 10 spots to No. 62.

As UNC Charlotte strengthens its position in higher education, it has seen notable achievements in supporting Pell Grant-eligible students and veterans. Its commitment to affordability and support for veteran students has been recognized, with the university jumping 17 spots to No. 106 for Best Colleges for Veterans. These advancements are further reflected in U.S. News’ specialty categories, where Charlotte ranks as a top performer, emphasizing both value and social mobility.

Hurricane Helene made landfall late Thursday night as a Category 4 storm, devastating Florida before moving through Georgia and into the Carolinas.

Western North Carolina has been hit hardest, facing what officials are now calling a “1,000-year flood,” causing landslides, road collapses, widespread property destruction, and death.

Entire towns, including most of Chimney Rock, NC and Marshall, NC have been essentially leveled by rushing debris-filled flood waters.

The storm is blamed for at least 11 deaths so far, and over 416,000 people still left without power (via PowerOutage.us).

Many roads, including major highways like I-40, will likely be shut down for months given the sheer scale of their collapse. In Asheville, officials warn that restoring water systems could take weeks as entire streets remain submerged under floodwaters.

Meteorologist Ryan Hall posted one of the most accurate summaries of the situation in Western NC, saying: “It’s quite possible the worst of the damage has yet to be documented / reported in rural western NC. Helene will be remembered as one of the most devastating storms of the modern era. Many places have been geographically altered & the rebuilding process will take a lifetime.”

It’s quite possible the worst of the damage has yet to be documented / reported in rural western NC. Helene will be remembered as one of the most devastating storms of the modern era. Many places have been geographically altered & the rebuilding process will take a lifetime.

— Ryan Hall, Y’all (@ryanhallyall) September 28, 2024

Recovery efforts are underway, with local and federal officials, alongside the National Guard, working to deliver essential supplies to the hardest-hit areas and search for an undetermined number of missing individuals.

Rescue teams, nonprofits, state agencies, and community-led efforts are now asking for everyone’s help to contribute manpower, money, and supplies. Here are ways you can;

#1 Volunteer your time:

– Samaritan’s Purse Volunteer Signup
– Appalachian Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer Signup
– North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

#2 Donate your money:

– Red Cross
– Salvation Army of The Carolinas
– JAARS
– Samaritan’s Purse
– Baptists on Mission
– Americares Helene Relief Effort
– Community Housing Coalition (CHC) of Madison County
– BeLoved Asheville
– Hope Mill Inc’s Hurricane Relief

#3 Donate supplies:

– Operation Airdrop
– Foster Family Alliance of NC
– Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry
– NC Mountains Emergency Response Facebook Group

Please share additional resources and rescue efforts in the comments below.

Opera Carolina will continue rolling out its milestone 75th anniversary season with ‘A Night to Remember,’ a free concert featuring notable voices from the opera world, happening Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Belk Theater. The 75-minute special event comes on the heels of Opera Carolina’s concert featuring the iconic Italian singer Andrea Bocelli, which kicks off the organization’s anniversary season on Oct. 30.

“We’re thrilled to invite the community to a special birthday party with a night of opera they won’t forget,” said Dr. Shante Williams, general director of Opera Carolina. “We’re starting our diamond anniversary season differently than in years past to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come while inspiring the next generation of opera lovers. More than ever, I want to drive home the message this season of ‘Opera per tutti,’ which translates to Opera for all!”

The program will include arias and duets from Puccini’s ‘La bohème,’ ‘Tosca’ and ‘Turandot,’ as well as songs by classic Italian composers Giuseppe Verdi and Gioachino Rossini. Taking the stage will be performers from New York’s Metropolitan Opera House and other world famous opera houses. Performers will include:

• Barbara Frittoli  – Italy (Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Covent Garden, Wien Staatsoper, Opera Carolina);
• Kevin Short – United States (Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera);
• Kristin Sampson (New York City Opera, Festival Puccini, Opera Carolina);
• Leyla Martinucci – Italy (Teatro San Carlo, Teatro Bellini Catania, New York City Opera, Opera Carolina);
• Marija Jelic – Serbia (Serbian National Theater, Carnegie Hall);
• Yunah Lee – Korea (Metropolitan Opera, Korean National Opera, Opera Carolina);
• Nmon Ford – United States (Teatro Comunale Bologna, Opera Carolina, Cincinnati Opera);
• the renowned pianist Maestro Fabio Centanni (La Scala, Teatro Regio di Parma, Abu Dhabi Festival, Tulouse, Dusseldorf, Zurich); and many more artists.

Founded in 1948 by the Charlotte Music Club, Opera Carolina has become the largest professional opera company in the Carolinas. In addition to celebrating a 75th season, ‘A Night to Remember’ will highlight the 25th anniversary of artistic director and musical conductor Jim Meena and the 20th anniversary of Bella Notte, Opera Carolina’s black-tie fundraising gala.

Free tickets to ‘A Night to Remember’ can be reserved at https://operacarolina.org/a_night_to_remember starting Thursday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m. Guests can also donate $19.48 to commemorate Opera Carolina’s founding year or $75 to mark the occasion. For more information about the upcoming season, visit operacarolina.org/75years.

Charlotte community leaders Gené and Fred Klein have made a transformational $10 million investment in the College of Science at UNC Charlotte. The funding will support scholarships, professorships, faculty recruitment and research in the newly established college.

In recognition of their exceptional generosity, the college will be named the Klein College of Science, and the former Science Building will be Klein Hall.

“The generosity of Gené and Fred Klein will help provide the resources our University needs to continue our momentum as this region’s great public research university,” Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber said.

Founded in 2023, the College of Science comprises the departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics and Statistics, and Physics and Optical Science as well as the Botanical Gardens. The college is home to more than 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students and provides general education requirements to all of Charlotte’s undergraduate students.

It is the College of Science’s ability to reach every student that led the Kleins to make their significant gift. Fred holds an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering, and Gené spent the early part of her career as a math educator.

“Math and science are essential in cultivating critical thinking skills, regardless of a student’s future career path,” said Fred Klein. “I have used foundational principles I learned in physics and other science classes throughout my real estate career. Not only are the faculty and students in the College of Science conducting groundbreaking research that will transform the University and our city, but the college is ensuring all graduates of UNC Charlotte are well-prepared and highly competitive when they enter the workforce.

Fred Klein is a founding partner of Childress Klein and a distinguished civic leader, who helped shape Charlotte’s skyline and developed many of the city’s most prominent landmarks. Throughout his career, he has been a pillar of support for UNC Charlotte. Among his contributions are his extensive service on the University’s Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board, along with key contributions to the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate. The Kleins, together with the Childress Klein partners, have been longtime supporters of  UNC Charlotte and are among the University’s most generous donors. In 2024, he was honored with UNC Charlotte’s Distinguished Service Award, the highest accolade for civic and community leaders who have profoundly impacted the region and the University.

For Klein, his passion for UNC Charlotte was cemented nearly 30 years ago when he realized the role the University played in building a strong city.

“I think it’s fair to say that Charlotte’s growth has been driven by three things: the banks, the airport and a strong research university,” he said. “UNC Charlotte has been and will continue to be a key factor in the Charlotte region’s growth and prosperity. Gené and I have always been proud to be part of UNC Charlotte, and we are honored to invest in its future.”

In addition to his undergraduate degree from Lehigh University, Klein holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In 2023, he was named an honorary alumnus by the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association.

As hurricane Helene nears the Florida panhandle, the governors of North Carolina and South Carolina have both declared states of emergency ahead of widespread rain, wind, and flooding.

Authorities strongly advice residents remain alert, especially with the risk of tornadoes and falling trees due to saturated soils.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency ahead of Hurricane Helene as North Carolina prepares for severe weather impacts that could threaten life and property across North Carolina through Saturday morning. Read the full release ➡️ https://t.co/s33oIuQgnV pic.twitter.com/1xcLFkANvw

— NC Emergency Management (@NCEmergency) September 25, 2024

Particularly vulnerable areas in western North Carolina are being warned about landslides, debris flows, and flash flooding, making preparation essential. North Carolina’s State Emergency Response Team has deployed resources such as swift water rescue teams and urban search and rescue personnel. NOAA has issued a rare and urgent alert for the NC mountains:

URGENT: Residents across the Western Carolinas & NE GA need to prepare for catastrophic, life-threatening flooding. @NOAAComms has issued a rare news release due to the seriousness of this situation across the Southern Appalachians. https://t.co/az67w1tQkl #ncwx #scwx #gawx

— NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) September 25, 2024

Several areas around Asheville already started experiencing flooding last night:

Officials offer the following tips ahead of the hurricane’s landfall:

• Enable emergency alerts on your phone and monitor weather updates.
• Avoid unnecessary travel, especially during the storm’s peak.
• Prepare or refresh your emergency kit with essential supplies.
• Never drive through flooded roads; always turn around.
• Know your local shelter options in case of evacuation.
• Be aware of potential tornadoes and know where to seek shelter.