Education

With merger planned, here are 7 articles about Queens University of Charlotte changes

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

Recent years have seen Queens University of Charlotte undergo significant shifts in leadership and athletics. These curated articles highlight major transitions, such as changes in administration and the university’s move to Division I sports.

Daniel Lugo, president of the university since 2019, stepped down to assume leadership at Trinity College. Then, Jesse Cureton, a former Novant Health executive, became acting president. Cureton on Tuesday helped announce that Queens University of Charlotte and Elon University plan to merge. The two colleges say the merger will be complete in August 2026.

Queens University’s transition to Division I sports raised its institution’s profile. The move, however, also raised concerns among some community members who felt nostalgia for the school’s Division II status. In contrast, the administration saw the change as part of a strategic plan to increase student diversity and visibility.

In an unrelated development last year, Queens announced budget cuts following a shortfall in enrollment goals. This situation was attributed to disruptions in the rollout of the new Federal Application for Student Aid. Despite these immediate challenges, the university remained optimistic about future enrollment growth.

NO. 1: 5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW $23 MILLION CENTER FOR THE ARTS AT QUEENS UNIVERSITY

The Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement opens this week at Queens University of Charlotte. | Published February 19, 2020 | Read Full Story by Cristina Bolling

NO. 2: QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE RENAMES BUILDING THAT BORE THE NAME OF SLAVEHOLDERS

Burwell Hall was named after Margaret Anna Burwell. Historical documents show she and her husband owned slaves. | Published July 2, 2020 | Read Full Story by Praveena Somasundaram

NO. 3: QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE ACCEPTS INVITATION TO NCAA DIVISION I CONFERENCE

Beginning July 1, the Royals will be North Carolina’s only program to play in the Atlantic Sun. | Published May 6, 2022 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Limehouse

NO. 4: QUEENS’ MOVE TO DIVISION I SPORTS HAS RAISED ITS PROFILE — BUT ALSO HAS RAISED CONCERNS

Many Royals say they felt a greater sense of pride this past school year by virtue of getting an instant promotion to Division I-athlete status; but some still question the decision, and in extreme cases, students wound up leaving because of the change. | Published May 4, 2023 | Read Full Story by Théoden Janes

“I feel that our move from Division II to Division I has been successful this year; we’ve had every team have a win and have a presence in our new geography and our university to be able to grow our student body,” says Jeff Dugdale is the Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Planning and Leadership Development/ Director of Swimming Operations at Queens University. By Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez

NO. 5: QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE SAYS IT WILL MAKE CUTS AFTER MISSING ENROLLMENT GOAL

The school says the measures should be temporary. | Published July 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Lucy Marques

Queens University of Charlotte president Dan Lugo on Friday, March 24, 2023. Lugo discussed how the school’s transition from Division II to Division I has gone over the past year since the athletic program made the jump. By JEFF SINER

NO. 6: QUEENS UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT TO STEP DOWN AFTER BEING NAMED HEAD OF CONNECTICUT COLLEGE

Dan Lugo has been Queens University of Charlotte’s president since 2019. | Published December 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Rebecca Noel

“I feel that our move from Division II to Division I has been successful this year; we’ve had every team have a win and have a presence in our new geography and our university to be able to grow our student body,” says Jeff Dugdale is the Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Planning and Leadership Development/ Director of Swimming Operations at Queens University. By Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez

NO. 7: FORMER NOVANT HEALTH EXECUTIVE TAKES REINS OF QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE

Daniel Lugo announced his departure in December after being named to the same job at another college. The school still is searching for his permanent succesor. | Published July 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rebecca Noel

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.