University of North Carolina at Asheville facts for kids
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Former names
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Buncombe County Junior College (1927-1930) College of the City of Asheville (1928-1930) Biltmore Junior College (1930-1934) Biltmore College (1934-1936) Asheville-Biltmore College (1936-1969) |
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| Motto | Levo Oculos Meos In Montes (Latin) |
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Motto in English
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"I Lift My Eyes to the Mountains" |
| Type | Public liberal arts college |
| Established | September 12, 1927 |
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Parent institution
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University of North Carolina |
| Accreditation | SACS |
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Academic affiliations
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COPLAC |
| Endowment | $70.4 million (2021) |
| Chancellor | Kimberly van Noort (Interim) |
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Academic staff
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220 (Fall 2022) |
| Students | 3,233 (Fall 2021) |
| Undergraduates | 3,233 (Fall 2021) |
| Postgraduates | 5 (Fall 2021) |
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United States
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| Campus | Small city, 365 acres (1.48 km2) |
| Newspaper | The Blue Banner |
| Colors | Blue and white |
| Nickname | Bulldogs |
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Sporting affiliations
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| Mascot | Rocky |
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The University of North Carolina at Asheville (often called UNC Asheville or UNCA) is a public university in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. It is known for its focus on liberal arts, which means students learn a wide range of subjects. UNC Asheville is part of the larger University of North Carolina system.
Contents
History of UNC Asheville
UNC Asheville started in 1927 as Buncombe County Junior College. It was the first public college in North Carolina that didn't charge tuition. The college was located in the Biltmore School building.
During the Great Depression, the college began to charge tuition fees. In 1930, it joined with another local college to become Biltmore Junior College. The name changed a few more times, becoming Asheville-Biltmore College in 1936.
Moving to New Campuses
In 1949, the college moved to a large building called Overlook Castle. This castle was also known as Seely's Castle. It had 29 acres of land on Sunset Mountain. The college renamed the building Seely Hall. This historic building is no longer part of the university.
In 1961, Asheville-Biltmore College moved to its current campus in north Asheville. That same year, the college welcomed its first Black student, Etta Mae Whitner Patterson, making it a desegregated school. In 1963, it became a four-year college. It started giving out bachelor's degrees in 1966. The university got its current name, UNC Asheville, in 1969.
How UNC Asheville is Managed
The university is guided by its Board of Trustees. These members are chosen by the governor of North Carolina. UNC Asheville is also part of the seventeen-campus University of North Carolina System. Kimberly van Noort is currently the interim (temporary) chancellor of UNC Asheville.
Exploring the Campus
The UNC Asheville campus covers 365 acres. It is located in a small city setting. Here are some cool places on campus:
- Bob Moog Electric Music Studio: This studio is named after Robert Moog. He was a professor here and invented the famous Moog synthesizer.
- Botanical Gardens at Asheville: Right next to the campus, these gardens have over 600 types of plants. They also have nice walking trails.
- Carol Belk Theatre: This theater seats 200 people. It is used for student plays and other shows.
- Kimmel Arena: This large area can hold 3,200 people. It is used for basketball games and concerts.
- Lookout Observatory: This observatory is used for looking at stars and planets. It is open to the public for stargazing events.
- N.C. Center for Health & Wellness: This center helps students with their health. It has a meditation space.
- S. Tucker Cooke Gallery: This gallery shows art created by students and professors.
- Civil War Earthworks: You can find preserved earthworks from the Civil War Battle of Asheville on campus.
Academics and Learning
UNC Asheville uses a semester calendar. It offers four-year programs where students can earn Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Bachelor of Science degrees. They have 36 different majors to choose from.
Popular Study Areas
Some of the most popular majors at UNC Asheville include:
- Biology
- Business
- Computer Science
- Digital Arts
- English
- Mass Communication
- Psychology
- Sociology
The university also works with North Carolina State University. This allows students to earn joint degrees in engineering.
Student Projects and Experiences
All students at UNC Asheville complete a "capstone" project. This is a big final project or research paper. About 60% of students do research or a creative project. Around 20% of students study abroad or away from campus. Many graduates have also received Fulbright fellowships, which help them study or teach in other countries.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is on campus. It offers many classes for older adults.
Teachers and Class Sizes
In 2022, UNC Asheville had 222 full-time teachers. Most of them (87%) have the highest degrees in their fields. Teachers lead all classes, not teaching assistants. Nearly 60% of classes have fewer than 20 students. This means students get a lot of attention from their teachers. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14 students for every 1 teacher.
Getting into UNC Asheville
In 2021, UNC Asheville accepted 82% of students who applied. The total number of students was 3,233. About 57% were female students and 43% were male students. Students come from many different states and countries.
To apply, students need to submit scores from the ACT or SAT tests. Many students also receive financial aid, like the Pell Grant, to help pay for college.
The University Library
The D. Hiden Ramsey Library is in the middle of the campus. It has a Media Design Lab and a crAFT (Creativity, Art, Fabrication, and Technology) Studio. The library also has special collections about the history of Asheville and Western North Carolina.
Student Life at UNC Asheville
There are more than sixty clubs and groups for students to join. Students can also join Greek organizations (fraternities and sororities). Many students take part in community service projects. About 11% play intramural sports, which are sports played just for fun among students.
The Student Government Association (SGA) helps students have a voice on campus. They have a Student Senate and an executive branch.
UNC Asheville also hosts "Concerts on the Quad" during the summer. These are outdoor concerts. There is also a local market on Saturdays where you can find products from local sellers.
Food and Dining
UNC Asheville Dining Services are in Brown Dining Hall. They serve many meals each year. They also donate extra food to help others.
Where Students Live
In 2021, about 46% of students lived in dorms on campus.
Athletics: Go Bulldogs!
UNC Asheville's sports teams are called the Bulldogs. They compete in the NCAA's Division I. This is the highest level of college sports. The Bulldogs are part of the Big South Conference. The university's colors are blue and white.
- Men's Sports: Baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis, and track and field.
- Women's Sports: Basketball, cross country, diving, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.
Notable People from UNC Asheville
Many talented people have studied or worked at UNC Asheville.
Famous Alumni
- Sarah Addison Allen – a popular author
- Molly Burch – a singer-songwriter
- Tony Campana – a professional baseball player
- Wiley Cash – an author
- Ryan Dull – a Major League Baseball player
- Wilma Dykeman – a writer and environmentalist
- Kenny George – the tallest player in NCAA men's basketball history (7'7")
- Mike Shildt – a Major League Baseball manager
- Ty Wigginton – a Major League Baseball player
Famous Faculty and Staff
- Wiley Cash – an author and writer-in-residence
- Robert Moog – the inventor of the Moog synthesizer
- Ann B. Ross – a literature instructor and author
- Steve Adlard – a former professional soccer player and coach
- Monte Towe – a former assistant basketball coach
