Smith, Olen B. (Olen Brown), Jr., 1939-

Jeffers, William Thomas

Charlotte, North Carolina

J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections & University Archives, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

2013-02-11

1 audio file (1:47:07) : digital, MP3

sound recording-nonmusical

spoken word

eng

Olen Smith was a 73-year-old man at the time of interview, which took place at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He was born in Rockingham, North Carolina in 1939. He was educated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and George Washington University and was employed at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte as the Director of Financial Planning (1984-1989), Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance and Planning (1989-1994), and Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs (1994-2006).

Olen Smith, former Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte reflects on the tenure of Chancellor James H. Woodward (1989-2005). Mr. Smith briefly discusses some of Chancellor Woodwar's accomplishments, which include improving the university's presence in the Charlotte region, locating the new Student Activity Center on campus, and transforming the campus aesthetic. He briefly talks about the role of Business Affairs in the academic planning process, especially as the university transitioned to a doctoral research institution . The discussion turns toward the political climate in North Carolina (relative to funding for higher education and how it affects UNC Charlotte.) He recalls the 2000 North Carolina Higher Education Improvement Bonds in particular, providing contextual history for the bond referendum, insight into UNC Charlotte and Chancellor Woodward's push to ensure the bonds' passage, and how the bonds helped the University grow. Mr. Smith relates the reasons why it was necessary to have a University presence in the center of Charlotte, and relates the backstories on the first two locations of UNC Charlotte Uptown and the new Center City Building which opened in 2011. He notes that the Blue Line Extension light rail will physically connect Charlotte with the University. Mr. Smith also discusses master planning and why it was needed at UNC Charlotte. He recalls his work on the Master Planning Task force citing the leadership of Charles Hight and the contribution of Professor John Lincourt. He further explains the changes made to the master plan during its 2000 revision and why they were needed. He discusses the way the master plan changed the look of the campus, and he also discusses the first library tower renovation and what factors led to a replacement of the new exterior facade shortly after it was installed. Mr. Smith concludes the interview with anecdotal stories about Chancellor Woodward.

College administrators

Smith, Olen B. (Olen Brown), Jr., 1939-
Woodward, James H. (University chancellor)
Dubois, Philip L.
Hight, Charles C.
Lincourt, John M.
Cullinan, Edward
Odell, Arthur Gould
Trauth, Denise M.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Urban universities and colleges
Architecture
Campus planning
College buildings
Doctor of philosophy degree
State bonds
College trustees
Street-railroads

North Carolina--Charlotte

Interviews
Oral histories

1980-2020

Interviews by William Jeffers

This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
This material is protected by copyright. Copyright is held by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

audio/mpeg

UA-SM0054