20
02 – 202
5
INSIDE ▼ Restaurant inspections and live music listings
OCTOBER 21
SEE MORE ON PAGE 3B 2B
PAGE 4B Friday, September 19, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 38
thecharlotteweekly.com/ucweekly
@ucweekly
South Piedmont sees more demand in adult education MONROE – South Piedmont Community College’s adult education program is growing, with more than 2,100 learners served during 2024-25.
The college said this represents a 17% increase over the previous year and 53% growth since 2022–23. Adult learners are turning to South Piedmont to earn a high school diploma or equivalency, learn English, strengthen literacy skills or gain digital proficiency. “The numbers are impressive, no doubt,
but what matters most are the stories behind them,” said Kelly Stegall, associate vice president. “Every student who completes an adult education program is better prepared to provide for their family, achieve success and reach goals they once thought out of reach.” South Piedmont offers some core programs to meet community needs: • High School Equivalency and Adult High School: preparing adults to earn a diploma or equivalency credential. • English for Speakers of Other Languages:
improving English skills and providing pathways to further education and careers. • Compass Education: supporting adults with disabilities as they transition into employment or post-secondary education. • Digital Literacy: teaching computer skills for employment, education and personal growth. The program’s success is fueled by community demand, partnerships and practical skills training. More than half of participants were
Nonprofit donates $1M+ to upgrade Wingate fine arts center
employed while enrolled, balancing education with work and family. Fifty-two percent were between the ages of 25 and 44, and nearly half entered without a high school credential. “As adult education continues to grow, we remain focused on creating accessible pathways that help students become more employable and increase their economic mobility,” Stegall said. On the web: spcc.edu/adult-education
UCPS board member speaks out about public school funding MONROE – The Rev. John Kirkpatrick IV read a resolution Sept. 4 during the Union County Board of Education meeting that was critical of state funding for public education, particularly for employee wages.
The resolution also called out the state for how it funds charter and private schools. Kirkpatrick, who represents District 1 in Union County Public Schools, said his resolution does not speak for the board but includes sentiments from his heart. Below is the resolution as read into the record: Upgrades at the George A. Batte, Jr. Fine Arts Center allow students to gain exposure to live streaming and recording studio operations.
Photo courtesy of Wingate University
WINGATE – Wingate University students passing by the statue of Charles A. Cannon on the way to a music class or to one of the dozens of other events slated this semester at the George A. Batte, Jr. Fine Arts Center may not have a clue about the working relationship the two men shared at Cannon Mills. They will nonetheless benefit from the philanthropy that continues as part of their legacies.
The Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trust No. One recently gave the university a $290,428 grant to replace Batte’s HVAC chiller. The funding comes on the heels of a separate $750,000 Cannon Charitable Interests grant for state-of-the-art audio and video equipment being installed in the 46,000-square-foot fine arts center. Donations from the Cannon Charitable Interests over the past 50 years total nearly $39 million. “As I reflect on Mr. Batte’s longtime partnership with Mr. Cannon, I am grateful for The Cannon Foundation’s deep-rooted relationship with Wingate University,” wrote President Rhett Brown in a recent letter thanking the trustees of the Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trust No. One. Opened in 1999 and named for Batte, a longtime Cannon Mills executive and former vice president of The Cannon Foundation, the fine arts center includes the 550-seat McGee Theatre, the 174-seat Plyler-Griffin Recital Hall, dressing rooms, multiple classrooms, a choral hall, student lounges and other facilities. In addition to serving as the home of the university’s music department, it is where students and community members attend Lyceum lectures, concerts, ceremonies and more. Although the 26-year-old structure still looks great, thanks in part to a $42,500 roof project funded by the Cannon Charitable Interests last year, its systems for sound, video and production
support were outdated, prompting the university to apply for the grant to replace all the equipment to meet modern performance standards. Impact Technology of Concord was awarded the contract. The project is underway and expected to be completed by the end of the month. Jesse Wright Martin, music department chair, couldn’t be more thrilled about the upgrades. The new sound, video and production equipment is not only enhancing longtime music programs, but it has also enabled the university to offer a new music industry concentration. Work-study students in the music industry track will learn live streaming and recording-studio operations, among other skills. “We’ve had potential students audition who were not classically trained musicians, and we haven’t always had a place for them,” Martin said. “Now we’re in a better position to be able to serve a wider range of students.” Suzanne Philemon, The Cannon Foundation’s executive director, said the Cannon Charitable Interests look to support projects that will directly enhance the student experience. “The Batte Center is integral to the experience of many students on Wingate’s campus,” Philemon said. “This space is also heavily used by the community. Ensuring the best systems are in place makes the space better for everyone.” Making the space better also means keeping its air conditioner working and ensuring that instruments are in a climate-controlled environment, an unexpected challenge when a thermostat in the HVAC system malfunctioned and had to be replaced during commencement week in May. To extend the life of the HVAC system, the Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trust No. One provided funding for a new chiller tower. Hoffman Mechanical is slated to install the chiller during fall break, when the work won’t disrupt classes and when the weather is cooler.
My Breast Friend’s Wedding returns Oct. 23 CHARLOTTE – Grab your gown, fluff your veil and get ready to catch the bouquet at My Breast Friend’s Wedding on Oct. 23.
“Slip into your best wedding attire and join us for a ladies-only celebration like no other as we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” said Shawna Dye Culik, event chair of My Breast Friend’s Wedding and board vice chair for The Go Jen Go Foundation. “It is the perfect night for women to connect, make memories, and support an incredible cause.” The event takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Hyatt Centric, 3100 Apex Drive, Charlotte. Attendees will be treated to wedding cake, hors d’oeuvres, champagne, wedding punch, a DJ, prizes, and wedding favors. Molly Grantham will emcee the festivities. “Whether you are rocking your original wedding dress, a bridesmaid gown that has been hiding in your closet, or any fabulous wedding-inspired look, this is your chance to walk down the ‘friendship aisle’ and raise a glass to good times, connection and making a difference,” Dye Culik said. Tickets cost $50 and include admission to the event and a raffle ticket.
Women can get a little more mileage out of their wedding dresses with a wedding-inspired fundraiser. Photos courtesy of My Breast Friend’s Wedding
Proceeds benefit The Go Jen Go Foundation, a nonprofit that provides financial assistance to more than 105 families per month in the Greater Charlotte area who are facing the financial burden of a breast cancer diagnosis. “We look forward to this event every
year and are incredibly grateful to be its beneficiary,” said Susan Evren, executive director of Go Jen Go. “Everyone’s support helps us make a direct impact on our local breast cancer community.” RSVP at mybreastfriendswedding.com.
Whereas, public education is the foundation of a strong, equitable and thriving society, it is the constitutional duty of the State of North Carolina to provide every child with access to a sound basic education; and Whereas, recent budgetary decisions have significantly reduced funding for public schools, resulting in widespread cuts to teachers salaries, classroom resources, student services and vital school support staff; and Whereas, underfunding public education undermines the ability of faculty, staff, and administration to perform at their full potential, directly impacting the quality of education that our children receive; and Whereas, the diversion of public funds to private and charter institutions, many of which are not held to the same standards of transparency, accountability or inclusivity, threatens the very existence and stability of public schools that serve the majority of North Carolina children; and Whereas, while we acknowledge that some funds will inevitably be directed toward private and charter institutions, it is imperative that public schools receive equal and sufficient support as they remain the primary and most inclusive vehicle for preparing standards to succeed in a diverse and democratic society; and Whereas, public schools uniquely expose children to people of all backgrounds, cultures and perspectives, equipping them to think critically, to embrace diversity and to reject narrow or close-minded ideologies; and Whereas, teachers are entrusted with the critical responsibility of preparing students for future success and meaningful careers. And it is unjust that many educators struggle financially while carrying out this calling; and Whereas, educators deserve a salary that allows them to live with dignity, stability and security, free from financial hardship, as they dedicate their lives to ensuring that students are equipped to thrive academically, socially and economically; and Whereas, educators across our state are underpaid, overburdened and increasingly unsupported, leading to alarming rates of teacher burnout, turnover and shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, John Jamal Kirkpatrick IV, unequivocally exposes all efforts to defund or diminish public education in the State of North Carolina. Be it further resolved that I affirm the necessity of public schools as the backbone of equitable education and demand that even the misfunding allocations to private and charter schools, public schools must be supported fairly, fully and without compromise. Be it further resolved that I stand in full support of our educators, faculty and staff, and demand fair, equitable and adequate funding to ensure that they have the resources, salaries and compensation needed to meet the growing academic, social and emotional needs of our students. Educators are pouring, building and equipping our present and future. Be it finally resolved that I call upon state legislators, community leaders and citizens to prioritize investment in public schools, restore funding to appropriate levels and protect the future of public education from any attempt to shift resources toward private and charter schools at the expense of the public good.