Get Involved on Campus!

Getting involved on campus is one of the most important decisions you will make while being a student at UNC Charlotte. In my time here, I have been involved in a number of student organizations that have helped develop my leadership skills, personal networks and taught me how to be a genuinely good individual. In the following blog post I will give more detail on my current involvement and give some reasons why you should get involved too!

My biggest current involvement is with the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) as the Vice President of Marketing, a member of the competition presentation team and a project founder. I joined SIFE in the spring semester of my freshmen year and have fallen in love with our mission, the projects and the people. In SIFE, our overall objective is to make the world a better place by applying our business skills and an entrepreneurial mindset to solve environmental, social and economic problems. We launch community service projects but we don’t create projects that you would typically think of as community service projects. We’re doing things like raising money for a battered women’s shelter to operate a 24-hour abuse hotline, teaching success skills to 7^th graders at James Martin Middle School and building a community garden in an underprivileged community. For a full list of our project please visit this link (insert dropbox link). On top of the service projects that I’ve created and been engaged in, I’ve had the opportunity to represent UNC Charlotte in a series of formal presentations in front of CEOs and VPs of Fortune 500 companies, plus students from across the United States. SIFE is by far the best thing I’ve done in college. If you’re a “go-getter”, there is no other student organization that will give you as many opportunities as SIFE will.

My second biggest involvement is Niner Traditions. It’s really a pet project. Over the past year or so, myself and a few of my friends have been discussing things that UNC Charlotte lacks. One of those things is a traditional college feel where there are things that students just do (traditions). Over the past year we’ve had quite a few great ideas which range from building a field goal post and having students kick field goals in between classes (see pictures) to writing a book on the traditions of the University to holding a round table discussion with campus leaders about how to unify campus. For the time being we have focused our efforts on a few events (4.9 Day) and writing the book which will probably be called “The Nugget.” Some of the things we are trying to do are unique and from what I’ve heard we are turning the heads of some University administration (in a good way). The future of this organization is exciting and I see tons of potential. If you’re interested in helping out, just let me know, we’re looking for new members.

Prep for the Charlotte vs #7 Tennessee Game

August 31st, 2011: Two Til' Tailgate Event

Some of my other campus involvements are as follows:

•        Niner Nation Gold (Spring 2010-Present day)
•        FWS job at the Graduate School (Fall 2009-present day)
•          UCOL 1001 Peer Mentor (Spring 2011
•        Emerging Leaders (Class of 2010)

•        Student Alumni Ambassadors (Fall 2010-Spring 2011) 
•        Student Media Board- At Large Member (Fall 2010-Spring 2011)

I’m interested in hearing how student organizations and student activities have changed your life. In the comment section below, give a shoutout to your student orgs and what they have done for you.

Sincerely,

-Matthew G. Murrow

Follow Matt on Twitter: @Matt_Murrow. The Facebook event is here. 

Don’t forget to vote for Homecoming at homecoming.uncc.edu from February 6th-10th.

I am only one, but I am one.

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And what I can do, I ought to do. And what I ought to do, by the grace of God, I shall do.” -Edward Everett Hale

Above is the motto of our late founder, Bonnie Cone, who passed away in 2003. Miss Bonnie dedicated much of her life to UNC Charlotte and I can see where these words came into her life. Bonnie joined the staff of the Charlotte Center of the University of North Carolina (CCUNC) in 1946, becoming its director a year later. She would go on to fight to save CCUNC, creating Charlotte College in 1949. In the early 60s, she would help Charlotte College achieve 4 year University status, creating the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Bonnie dedicated her life to a cause, ignoring the fact that she was just one person, in pursuit of closing the education gap in the Charlotte region.

Miss Bonnie understood her abilities as one person to make a difference in the world. This is where I can relate to Bonnie Cone. In my time at UNC Charlotte, I’ve been involved in this organization called SIFE, the Students in Free Enterprise. We believe that if we apply business concepts and an entrepreneurial spirit to service projects, then we can  change the world. We have a fundamental belief that philanthropy and community service isn’t simply volunteering in a food drive or a cancer walk, but that it is much more. We believe in creating our own opportunities through our entrepreneurial spirit.

In all honesty, this is exactly what Miss Bonnie did. Bonnie made opportunities and she made UNC Charlotte.

As you continue your collegiate career, look for opportunities to help one another. And try not to do just one good deed a day, create something that will allow others to do countless good deeds every day. Think outside the box and find something that you are passionate about, just like Miss Bonnie did in 1946. And if you need a little inspiration, just wander over to the Van Landingham Glen, you’ll find a pleasant surprise waiting on you there. 

Stay Green and Go Niners,

-Matthew G. Murrow

Follow Matt on Twitter: @Matt_Murrow. The Facebook event is here. 

Don’t forget to vote for Homecoming at homecoming.uncc.edu from February 6th-10th. 

Why Homecoming King?

Three years as a student at UNC Charlotte has made a lasting impact on my life. Through classes, student organizations, and athletic events I have come to love this University. I’m proud to be a Niner and I want the world to know that. So some of you might be asking, “What has driven you to run for Homecoming King?” and honestly, it’s a good question. Well the following points should give some insight behind my rationale for running for Homecoming King.

1. I love UNC Charlotte and I want the world to know: Like I said before, I want the world to know I love UNC Charlotte. There is no better way to do it than running for Homecoming King.
2. UNC Charlotte needs someone to break old stereotypes: A lot of times UNC Charlotte is viewed in the community as a commuter school, a school that anybody can get into and a school that has no school spirit. I’m here to break all of those stereotypes because they are outdated and simply not true. I’m not afraid to use my voice, especially when sticking up for my school.
3. UNC Charlotte needs positive representation: I’ve been active on campus my whole three years here. A lot of my campus involvement has been in community service events, campus events and cheering on my Niners in athletic events. I’ve been told by multiple people that I’m a prototypical 49er and I believe I’m a positive representation for UNC Charlotte.
4. UNC Charlotte needs a Homecoming King that knows UNC Charlotte's History: I believe that knowing UNC Charlotte's history is important for someone that is representing the University. Knowing how Bonnie Cone, "Woodie" Kennedy, and other important figures fought for UNC Charlotte is  a necessary attribute for Homecoming King/Queen. Not knowing your history is downright embarrassing. As a part of Niner Traditions, we are working on creating a book that will help to educate the campus on our traditions, founders and the future direction that our institution is headed in. 

I'm on the left with the green face paint behind Pierria Henry.

Follow Matt on Twitter: @Matt_Murrow. The Facebook event is here. 

Don’t forget to vote for Homecoming at homecoming.uncc.edu from February 6^th-10^th. 

Best,

-Matthew G. Murrow

PS. Stay Green and Go Niners! 

Getting to Know Matt!

Basic Information:
Name: Matthew Gordon Murrow
Birthplace: Charlotte Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte, NC
Birthdate: June 9th, 1991
Hometown: Gastonia, NC
High School Attended: Hunter Huss High School in Gastonia
Class Year: Junior
Major(s): Marketing and Management
Minor: History

Current Involvements:
Student Organizations Involved in: Vice President of Marketing for SIFE and Vice President of Niner Traditions.

Current Projects:
1.) Working on the Nugget, a book on the history of UNC Charlotte and its traditions.
2.) Helping start a SIFE project called the Social Media Squad. The Social Media Squad will go into small businesses in the UCity community, build their social media presence, and then teach them how do it themselves.
3.) Recycling Fun: "Technical Design Rep" to two Senior Engineering Design projects which are currently developing a bottle/can recycling machine that will be placed in Fretwell and one other location TBD.

Favorites:
Favorite Food: Teriyaki Chicken
Favorite Movie: National Treasure Series
Favorite Actor/Actress: Keira Knightly
Favorite TV Series: Friends
Favorite NFL Player: Peyton Manning----then Cam Newton
Favorite Building on Campus: Student Union
Favorite Niner Basketball Player: Pierria Henry



Why did you choose UNC Charlotte?: I chose UNC Charlotte for 3 main reasons. 1.) UNC Charlotte has an excellent business program that can compete with any other school in the UNC system. 2.) UNC Charlotte has amazing campus aesthetics. 3.) UNC Charlotte is growing and will become the largest University in the system.


Follow Matt on Twitter at @Matt_Murrow. The Facebook event is here. 

Don’t forget to vote for Homecoming at homecoming.uncc.edu from February 6^th-10^th. 

Best,

-Matthew G. Murrow

PS. Stay Green and Go Niners!