Events Posts | Today at �鶹��Ƶ | �鶹��Ƶ

�鶹��Ƶ students, faculty and staff invited to After the Vote: Panel Discussion – Nov. 10th

Avery Craine Powell — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 18:28:28 +0000

Faculty from �鶹��Ƶ’s Department of Political Science & Public Policy will unpack midterm election results and discuss implications at the local, state, and national levels.��

The panel will take place in LaRose Student Commons on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 4:20 p.m.. Students are encouraged to attend and “make sense of the outcomes,” according to Carrie Eaves, chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Policy��

The event is sponsored by the Department of Political Science & Public Policy and the Phoenix Policy Institute. ��

Midterm elections, held at the midpoint of a president’s four-year term, focus on the legislative branch and state-level positions. In this��midterm election, voters are determining a seat for the U.S. Senate and all 14 of North Carolina’s seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. ��

�鶹��Ƶ Drone Day showcases emerging technology, explores future of AI

Tommy Kopetskie — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:36:58 +0000

Robbie Cook of PAC Aerial Applications pilots a large agricultural drone during a flight demonstration at the 2026 �鶹��Ƶ Drone Day on Oct. 30. The drone, capable of carrying more than 10 gallons of liquid, is designed for tasks such as crop spraying and fertilizer applications.

Hovering over a stormwater management pond behind �鶹��Ƶ’s Schar Center, an agricultural drone demonstrated how unmanned aircraft are changing the way farmers manage their fields.

Sambit Bhattacharya, professor of computer science at Fayetteville State University, discusses the importance of safety, testing and human oversight in artificial intelligence during his keynote address.

Capable of carrying more than 10 gallons of liquid, the aircraft was presented by Preston Cave of PAC Aerial Applications during the 2026 �鶹��Ƶ Drone Day on Oct. 30. From crop spraying and fertilizer applications to autonomous navigation powered by artificial intelligence, the annual gathering highlighted the diverse uses of drone technology.

Nearly 160 people registered for the School of Communications event, which brought together industry professionals, educators, students and drone enthusiasts for presentations, demonstrations and networking.

Since 2021, �鶹��Ƶ Drone Day has become an annual gathering for North Carolina’s drone community. Organized by Teaching Professor of Visual Communication Randy Piland in partnership with the North Carolina chapter of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (NC AUVSI), the event welcomed representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, North Carolina Department of Transportation, several universities and private companies.

This year’s program emphasized artificial intelligence, with Sambit Bhattacharya, professor of computer science and director of the Intelligent Systems Lab at Fayetteville State University, delivering the keynote address, “Preflight Checks for Intelligent Machines: What Drones Can Teach Us �鶹��Ƶ Trustworthy AI.”

Sagun Giri, AI Sandbox coordinator at �鶹��Ƶ, takes video during a drone flight demonstration at Schar Center.

Bhattacharya explained that aviation’s emphasis on safety, testing and accountability offers lessons for the responsible development of AI. Drawing on research involving autonomous navigation, confined-space inspections and wildfire detection, he demonstrated how intelligent machines can perform complex tasks without direct human control, while cautioning that these advances require rigorous testing and human oversight.

“Aviation did not get saved by building the perfect aircraft,” Bhattacharya said. “It got saved by assuming things will fail, and it builds a culture – checklists, recorders, investigations, reporting – that learns from every failure.”

He also highlighted �鶹��Ƶ’s “Human Wisdom for the Age of AI” initiative, emphasizing that human judgment remains essential for evaluating evidence, verifying results and ensuring accountability.

Beyond the keynote, a panel featuring Cave, Maddy Gastler and Seth Nagy examined agricultural applications, including crop spraying, seeding and multispectral imaging. Other presentations addressed drone mapping for disaster response, invasive plant species detection, and advances in flight planning technology.

Afternoon demonstrations behind Schar Center gave attendees an opportunity to see the technology in action. Among the three participating organizations was Raven Advisory, a Fayetteville-based company specializing in drone training, testing and autonomous technologies.

James Stougaard of Raven Advisory pilots a high-speed drone as spectators look on during the 2026 �鶹��Ƶ Drone Day.

Wearing first-person-view (FPV) goggles and gripping a handheld controller, Raven Advisory operator James Stougaard piloted a drone at seemingly warp speed. The goggles provided a live video feed from the aircraft’s camera, allowing him to navigate from the drone’s perspective.

The event also featured a drone soccer demonstration by students from Asheboro City Schools, who showcased their piloting skills during the fast-paced competition.

This year’s participants ranged from FAA-certified drone operators to newcomers with no previous drone experience. Students from Hillside High School in Durham and Asheboro High School joined representatives from �鶹��Ƶ, Fayetteville State University, Guilford Technical Community College, N.C. A&T State University, N.C. State University and Wake Technical Community College.

“What makes �鶹��Ƶ Drone Day special is the diversity of people it brings together,” Piland said. “We had everyone from experienced commercial pilots to students just beginning to explore drone technology, all sharing ideas and learning from one another. Seeing that kind of enthusiasm and collaboration is exactly what this event is about.”

Season of shadows and light: �鶹��Ƶ community celebrates Samhain

hzaken — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 21:48:14 +0000

Approximately 50 community members gathered in a candle-lit McBride Gathering Space to celebrate Samhain, an ancient Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Hosted by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life and the Office of Sustainability, the university’s first Samhain celebration invited participants to explore Earth-based spiritual traditions through seasonal activities, reflection, and community.

Traditionally observed beginning at sunset on Oct. 31, Samhain marks a seasonal transition and holds significance for many Pagan and other Earth-based spiritual communities.

The celebration transformed McBride Gathering Space and the Sacred Space into a welcoming setting for the occasion. Students participated in a variety of activities, including painting small pumpkins, creating seasonal simmer pots with fruits and spices, exploring tarot and oracle cards, and writing messages honoring ancestors. “Scrappy” fall-themed foods to help prevent food waste on campus, and s’mores from �鶹��Ƶ Outdoors offered another opportunity to gather and enjoy the season.

The program opened with an educational presentation by Multifaith Interns Alana Moss Caldwell and Priyal Sanartha, who introduced the history and significance of Samhain. Hillary Zaken, director of Multifaith Programming and Engagement, and Multifaith Intern Aeiris Faloni also shared reflections on the meaning of the holiday. Faloni then led a brief meditation, inviting participants to pause and reflect on the changing season.

Organized by the Earth-Based Spirituality branch of the Truitt Center, the celebration builds on growing opportunities for students to explore Pagan traditions and other forms of nontraditional spirituality at �鶹��Ƶ.

“Over the past few years, we have seen an increasing number of community members interested in celebrating and learning about earth-based traditions,” said Zaken, “So we are meeting students where they are, and ensuring that they have a vibrant and diverse community where they belong. Events like Samhain provide opportunities for students to learn about Earth-based traditions while participating in hands-on activities.”

For Aeiris Faloni, the growing interest in Earth-based spirituality reflects a desire among students to find community and explore spiritual practices outside more traditional religious structures.

“Samhain celebration gave us an incredible opportunity to create community – facilitating deep conversations about the things we wish for ourselves, the stories of those who came before us, and the ways we can support each other now,” said Faloni. “It also gave us a chance to gauge interest in an upcoming new student organization, FERN (Folk, Earth-Based Religions and Nontraditional Spiritualities), which will hopefully be officially hosting events in the spring semester!”

Students at the Truitt Center’s Samhain celebration

The Truitt Center’s multifaith celebrations create opportunities for the �鶹��Ƶ community to learn about religious, spiritual and cultural traditions through experiences that combine education, participation and celebration. Members of the Multifaith Intern cohort develop and lead many of these programs, helping create spaces where students can encounter traditions beyond their own.

Through its first Samhain celebration, the Truitt Center invited students to consider the meaning of seasonal transitions, the importance of community, and the many ways people find connection with the natural world. As the season turns toward winter, the gathering offered an opportunity to slow down and reflect.

“Samhain marks a time when the veil between the world of the living and deceased is thin, and many take it as an opportunity to honor those who came before us and those who surround us now,” Faloni explained. “We embraced this topic at the Truitt Center’s celebration, allowing space for folks to write messages to loved ones, and wishes for themselves as we head into the season of winter.”

Students at the Truitt Center’s Samhain celebration

Charlotte’s inaugural Public Square event explores government and civic responsibility

Michael Abernethy — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 21:00:09 +0000

Differing perspectives on government power, individual liberty and civic responsibility took center stage at Charlotte’s inaugural conversation, where �鶹��Ƶ Law students helped facilitate a discussion about the principles that sustain American democracy.

“Freedom and Responsibility: What We Owe Each Other,” held Oct. 29 at the Carolina Theatre at Belk Place, brought together John Hood, president of the John William Pope Foundation, and Melissa Murray, the Frederick I. and Grace Stokes Professor of Law at New York University School of Law.

Carol Quillen, former president of Davidson College and former CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, moderated the conversation.

“This is not a debate. It’s a conversation,” Quillen told the audience at the outset. “Our hope is that as John Hood and Melissa Murray share their ideas, their knowledge, and their points of view, each of us will find insights that can enrich our own understanding and also provide tools that we can use to be more effective at engaging others with whom we might disagree.”

Public Square is a civic conversation series produced by to encourage thoughtful engagement across ideological differences and strengthen civic life. The library foundation is producing the series with programming partners including the , ��and �鶹��Ƶ Law. The Durham and Morton families are supporting partners.

Carol Quillen moderates a conversation between John Hood and Melissa Murray at the Carolina Theatre at Belk Place in Charlotte on Oct. 29, 2026.

Hood emphasized individual liberty, limited government and the responsibility of citizens and civic organizations to address community needs. Murray explored the Constitution’s evolving protections and how historical injustices and structural barriers influence opportunities for meaningful participation in American society.

Hood described the Constitution as a framework designed to accommodate disagreement among people with different beliefs, political views and priorities.

Melissa Murray, left, responds to a question from Ashley Holmes L’26 during Public Square at the Carolina Theatre at Belk Place in Charlotte on Oct. 29, 2026.

“We can disagree about religion. We can disagree about faith of any kind. We can disagree about political issues. We can disagree about how we want to live, what we want to eat, what team we’re going to root for, whatever it is,” Hood said.

The nation’s founders anticipated those disagreements, he explained, and established a constitutional system intended to prevent them from escalating into threats to individual liberty or violence.

The challenge, Hood said, is to view people who hold opposing beliefs “not as bigots, not as villains and not as liars” — but as individuals with inherent worth and people whose perspectives may have merit, Hood said.

Murray approached the Constitution from a different perspective, emphasizing how the nation’s founding principles evolved through struggles over citizenship, equality and individual rights.

She pointed to the Civil War and Reconstruction-era amendments as transformative moments in American constitutional history, arguing that understanding the nation’s founding requires acknowledging both its ideals and its failures.

Jeremy Yagoda LF’29 helps facilitate the Public Square discussion at the Carolina Theatre at Belk Place in Charlotte on Oct. 29, 2026.

“If we aren’t attentive to it, and we don’t try to reckon with it, and see what the residue of it means for us today, we could still make the same mistakes over and over and over again,” Murray said.

She also emphasized the importance of constitutional literacy and the responsibility to consider perspectives that challenge one’s own beliefs. Drawing on her experience in law and teaching law students, she described the value of examining opposing arguments rather than dismissing them.

In law, “we also literally have to do justice to another side, to make the argument as sharp as possible, because that’s the only way to make your argument better,” she said.

Four �鶹��Ƶ Law students served as content navigators, helping explain constitutional principles, collect audience questions and facilitate discussion.

Stellarose Emery L’27 and Ashley Holmes L’26 represented �鶹��Ƶ Law’s Greensboro program, while Mandy Mead LF’29 and Jeremy Yagoda LF’29 represented the Charlotte Flex Program.

Audience questions addressed respectful disagreement, civic education, constitutional interpretation and the responsibilities of citizens in maintaining democratic institutions.

Two additional Public Square conversations are scheduled for spring and fall 2027, exploring “The Art of Compromise” and “Truth and Trust,” respectively.

The Month in Photos: October 2026

Avery Craine Powell — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 16:34:48 +0000

October brought the sights and sounds of fall to �鶹��Ƶ, with a month full of celebrations, traditions and opportunities for connection. From welcoming alumni back to campus for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, launching the new School of Engineering, to the changing colors of autumn, the �鶹��Ƶ community embraced all that the season had to offer.

Take a look back at some of the memorable moments from October through the lenses of staff in the Office of University Communications.

‘Everybody’

�鶹��Ƶ Performing Arts presented “Everybody,”��a modern adaptation of the 15th-century morality play Everyman, one of the first recorded plays in the English language.

�鶹��Ƶ Performing Arts dress rehearsal of “everybody” at Scott Theater on October 1, 2026

A transformational education

An opening celebration for the Roberts Academy, the university’s new elementary school for children with dyslexia, featured a special student performance on Oct. 2, and a ribbon-cutting with Marjorie and Hal Roberts, whose generosity helped establish the school in 2025.

The Roberts Academy at �鶹��Ƶ is the fourth private school established by the couple, joining Vanderbilt University, Mercer University, and Florida Southern College in a network of programs committed to the advancement of education for children with dyslexia and related conditions.

From left: Tait Arend, Ann Bullock, �鶹��Ƶ President Connie Ledoux Book, Marjorie Roberts and Hal Roberts cut a ribbon on Oct. 2, 2026, to formally open the Roberts Academy at �鶹��Ƶ.

Tiny shelf concert

�鶹��Ƶ’s Musical Theatre department hosted a “Tiny Shelf Concert on Oct. 2 in Belk Library.

Students from �鶹��Ƶ’s Music Theatre department perform in Belk Library lobby on Friday, Oct. 2 for the fall Tiny Shelf Concert.

The ‘biggest’ Rock the Block yet

The Office of Alumni��Engagement��and��the��Student Union Board collaborated once again to��host��the Homecoming concert with DJ Diesel (Shaquille O’Neal) bringing approximately 5,000 attendees to the annual Rock the Block concert on Oct. 9.

Rock the Block featuring DJ Diesel (aka Shaquille O’Neal) at Young Commons on October 9, 2026

Rock the Block featuring DJ Diesel (aka Shaquille O’Neal) at Young Commons on Oct.�� 9, 2026

Learning everywhere

Assistant Professor of Management Jose Cerecedo Lopez teaches a class outside near the Koury Business Center.

Outdoor class with Jose Cerecedo Lopez on Oct. 9, 2026

Engineering excellence

Dozens of university leaders, faculty, staff and students were joined on Oct. 30, 2026, by the CEO of the world’s leading accrediting body for engineering education programs, as well as North Carolina’s secretary of commerce, for a morning of reflection on the rise of �鶹��Ƶ’s new School of Engineering and Computing.

Engineering & Computing Launch Event at Founders Hall on Oct. 30, 2026

Pumpkin playfulness

The �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden Club and the Garden Studio course hosted the 18th annual��Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 30, uniting students, organizations, faculty, staff and��community members with fall festivities, including��live music, fun crafting activities and food at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

Annual �鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival offers warm welcomes and smiles

Avery Craine Powell — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 15:49:18 +0000

The �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden Club and the Garden Studio course hosted the 18th annual Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 30, uniting students, organizations, faculty, staff and��community members with fall festivities, including��live music, fun crafting activities and food at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden.

Participants were met with stew and chili options with apple cider to match. Tables lined the garden, hosted by different organizations at �鶹��Ƶ, including WSOE, Milk Club and �鶹��Ƶ Dining.��

Claire Moorhead, vice-president of Phoenix Free, was tabling a tie-dye activity for the festival. It was her second year tabling for the event, and she noted the positive effect it has on campus.��

“The main goal is just to spread joy and happiness,” she said. “It’s so nice, it’s so sweet, but on a personal level, the point of any tabling event for Phoenix Free is just kind of get the name out. If there’s anybody ever struggling, just knowing that there’s a place on campus for them.”��

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Gardens on Oct. 30

Michael Strickland, director of the Center for Environmental Studies and assistant teaching professor of English and environmental studies,��teaches the Garden Studio class. He helped start the garden in 2006 and the festival in 2008, watching it grow throughout the years.��Students from his garden studio class work to maintain the garden and create vital aspects of the garden.��For the festival, his students tabled a food section featuring Brunswick stew, a traditional North Carolinian harvest stew.��

“It’s the end of the season; you just throw everything in a pot,” he said. “Typically in North Carolina, you can throw alligator, turtle, possum, whatever you got. We don’t do that here, but we throw all the different fall vegetables in there.”��

Sophia Barnes, an eco-rep for Loy Center with the Office of Sustainability��tabled a��craft-making activity. Barnes promoted sustainability by offering thrifted cloth, string, and recycled newspaper to make little ghost figures. ��

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Gardens on Oct. 30

For Barnes, events like the Pumpkin Festival make sustainability and their goals all the more enjoyable. ��

“I think that it’s a really good vibe with all of the sustainable clubs together at once,” she said. “I like when we do events like this and we have Garden Club and Farm Club and the Office of Sustainability, and we can all kind of collaborate.”��

Barnes’ table also offered thrifted Halloween costumes that were free to take, offering a sustainable alternative to costume hunting.��

For attendees, they explored free activities, crafts, food items and desserts. Pumpkin carving, however, was the most popular activity. Three large tables were filled with students carving unique designs.��

One attendee,��Eadaoin Bourgerie ’30, was carving a pumpkin into a jack-o’-lantern.��

“I just really wanted to carve a pumpkin, so gotta so I got to get into the holiday spirit,” she said. “I like all the little treats and stuff, and it’s also just really homely here.”��

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Garden on Oct. 30, 2026.

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival at the �鶹��Ƶ Community Gardens on October 30, 2026

�鶹��Ƶ Pumpkin Festival the the Community Gardens on October 30, 2026

�鶹��Ƶ hosts NCAIE student conference focused on global leadership and engagement

Denise Teeters — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 15:12:34 +0000

Approximately 111 students from colleges and universities across North Carolina gathered at �鶹��Ƶ on Saturday, Oct. 24 for the 2026 North Carolina Association of International Educators (NCAIE) Global Leadership and International Engagement Student Conference. The NCAIE Student Conference is designed for students who are passionate about working across cultures and developing a global mindset.

Through interactive sessions, conversations and networking opportunities, participants gained knowledge and connections that can support their continued involvement in international education and global leadership.

The conference brought together students from the following institutions:

Appalachian State University
Central Piedmont Community College
Davidson College
East Carolina University
�鶹��Ƶ
High Point University
Meredith College
Methodist University
North Carolina State University
Queens University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Wayne Community College
Wesleyan College

Conference attendees gathered in KOBC for a morning meeting

Students participated in “Story Circle” activities, a “Two to Tell” presentation, and a photo contest, showcasing images that reflected their global experiences. “Two to Tell” is a speech competition in which students deliver a two-minute presentation. The focus of the presentation is the impact of their international experience, including but not limited to study abroad, immigration or international studies.

The conference highlighted the value of collaboration across North Carolina’s higher education institutions and demonstrated the impact students can have when they come together around shared interests in global learning, cultural exchange and international engagement.

NCAIE session and presentation

The conference was organized through a collaborative effort involving NCAIE’s Student Leadership Team, which included students from several North Carolina colleges and universities. �鶹��Ƶ students Emily Tomczak G’28 and Ariely Vidal ’28 served on the student leadership team. Karen Binger Marshall of Appalachian State University and Rose Malone of East Carolina University served as conference co-planners. �鶹��Ƶ staff, Carmen Boggs, director of semester and exchange programs, and Denise Teeters, director of international student services assisted in the logistics of hosting the conference on campus.

More information about the NCAIE Global Leadership and International Engagement Student Conference is available on the .

International Education Week highlights the strengths of international education and community

Angela Shrader — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 14:59:35 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ will celebrate International Education Week��from Nov. 8-12 with a campus-wide series of programs exploring this year’s theme, “Better Together: Strength in Community.”

Hosted by the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center and campus partners, the week invites students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to examine and connect through cross-cultural and interdisciplinary experiences.

IEW highlights the strengths of international education and exchange. �鶹��Ƶ’s celebration aligns with the university’s relationship-rich, engaged learning, helping us develop a deeper understanding of our interconnected world.

Week-at-a-glance

The full schedule is available on the International Education Week website. This year’s schedule features a mix of cultural, academic, and community-building events.

Highlights include:

Global Flow Yoga at Sunset (Nov. 8)
Research in Global Contexts: Student and Faculty Symposium (Nov. 9)
French Poetry Slam (Nov. 9)
Traditional West African Dance and Drums (Nov. 10)
Global Film Series (Nov. 10)
Minute to Win It! Meet and Greet (Nov. 11)
International Cheese Festival (Nov. 11)
International Coffee Hour and International Books and Authors (Nov. 12)
Amici dell’Italia (Nov. 12)

Why it matters

IEW provides a focused moment to elevate global learning that happens across �鶹��Ƶ every day, in classrooms, residence halls, student organizations, and the Alamance County community.

IEW’s core idea is that international education thrives on meaningful relationships, shared experiences, and collective purposes.

“At its core, this year’s theme and events highlight how global learning is strengthened when students, faculty, staff, and partners come together across cultures, disciplines, and perspectives,” said��Jessica Gisclair, associate dean of global education.

�鶹��Ƶ continues to lead nationally in study abroad and Study USA participation as part of the �鶹��Ƶ Experiences.

Most IEW events are open to the entire �鶹��Ƶ community. Some programs require an RSVP or have limited capacity. Visit the IEW website for times, locations, and updates. For questions, contact the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center at 336-278-6700 or visit Sato Commons 360 during business hours.

�鶹��Ƶ Drone Day to explore AI, emerging drone applications on Friday, Oct. 30

Tommy Kopetskie — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 17:22:12 +0000

Artificial intelligence is transforming how drones operate, and the upcoming 2026 �鶹��Ƶ Drone Day will examine what those advances mean for the future of unmanned aircraft systems.

Nick Bogert of Raven Advisory (center, with remote) leads a demonstration during the 2025 �鶹��Ƶ Drone Day. Raven Advisory will return for the 2026 event on Friday, Oct. 30, which will feature presentations on artificial intelligence, agricultural applications and emerging drone technologies, along with hands-on demonstrations. Photo by Aidan Blake ’26.

The School of Communications will host its annual �鶹��Ƶ Drone Day on Friday, Oct. 30, bringing together recreational and commercial pilots, industry professionals, educators and students for a day of presentations, demonstrations and networking in Turner Theater and Snow Family Grand Atrium. The free event, organized in partnership with the North Carolina chapter of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (NC AUVSI), is open to the public, but registration is required.

This year’s program will place a particular emphasis on AI, with Sambit Bhattacharya, a professor at Fayetteville State University, delivering the keynote address, “Preflight Checks for Intelligent Machines: What Drones Can Teach Us �鶹��Ƶ Trustworthy AI.”

Sambit Bhattacharya, a professor at Fayetteville State University, will deliver the keynote address at the 2026 �鶹��Ƶ Drone Day, exploring how lessons from aviation safety can inform the development of trustworthy artificial intelligence systems.

Bhattacharya’s presentation will explore how the aviation industry’s emphasis on safety, testing and accountability can inform the development of trustworthy AI systems. Drawing on research from , he will examine how autonomous drones make decisions, the challenges of deploying AI in real-world environments, and the importance of ensuring that emerging technologies operate reliably.

Teaching Professor of Visual Communication Randy Piland, who organizes �鶹��Ƶ Drone Day, said the keynote reflects both the growing role of artificial intelligence in drone technology and �鶹��Ƶ’s broader efforts to encourage conversations about AI across academic disciplines.

“It’s been percolating in my mind for several months about how we can tie into �鶹��Ƶ’s effort to broaden the AI arena or broaden the discussion of AI in programs that we have,” Piland said. “So many of the new autonomous drones rely on AI to make it work.”

That interest led Piland to Bhattacharya, whose research at Fayetteville State focuses on the application of artificial intelligence in unmanned aerial systems. Shortly after Bhattacharya accepted the invitation, Piland learned that to expand its work involving AI and unmanned aerial systems.

Students from Asheboro City Schools will demonstrate drone soccer, showcasing the fast-paced competition that combines drone piloting, teamwork and technology. Photo by Ethan Wu ’27.

Beyond the keynote, the program will highlight the expanding applications of drone technology across several industries.

A panel featuring Preston Cave, Matt Solomon and Seth Nagy will examine the use of drones in agriculture, including crop spraying, seeding and multispectral imaging, which helps farmers assess crop conditions and make more informed decisions about their fields.

Other presentations will address low-cost, open-source drone mapping for disaster response, the use of unmanned aircraft to detect and manage invasive plant species in parks, and updates on drone flight planning and management technology.

Nine Ten Drones, a North Carolina-based company specializing in drone sales, professional training and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) services, will be among the vendors on hand at the 2026 �鶹��Ƶ Drone Day.

The day will kick off with a drone soccer demonstration by Asheboro City Schools, as well as a vendor showcase. In the afternoon, attendees will take in flight demonstrations in the parking area behind Schar Center.

Established in 2021, �鶹��Ƶ Drone Day has developed into an annual gathering for individuals interested in the evolving drone industry. The event welcomed a record 185 attendees, vendors and volunteers in 2025.

Piland said that despite the industry’s rapid evolution, the event’s original mission has remained unchanged.

“We want to provide an opportunity for local drone enthusiasts and professionals to come together to exchange knowledge and network, so that they can have an outlet to improve and find solutions to things they’re trying to do,” he said.

2026 �鶹��Ƶ Drone Day Program

8–8:45 AM
Vendor Setup

8:45 – 9:10 AM
Atrium Welcome & Vendor Show
Coffee and pastries (Provided by Blue Ridge Mountain Drone Education, WING & ELON AI)

Asheboro City Schools – Drone Soccer Demo
Wendy Graham (Center, Snow Atrium)

9:20 AM
Welcome by Associate Dean Tony Weaver (Turner Theatre)

9:25 AM
‘Preflight Checks for Intelligent Machines: What Drones Can Teach Us �鶹��Ƶ Trustworthy AI’ – Dr. Sambit Bhattacharya (Turner Theatre)

10:10 AM
Low-Cost, Open-Source Drone Mapping for Disaster Response in Resource-Constrained Settings – Michael Berryann, NCCU (Turner Theatre)

10:40 AM
Drones in Agriculture Panel – Preston Cave, Matt Solomon, Seth Nagy (Turner Theatre)

11:25 AM
Leveraging UAS for Invasive Species Detection and Treatment in Parks – Al Cire, Raptor Drone Services (Turner Theatre)

Noon
ALOFT | Drone Sense | Versaterm Update – Kevin Teen, Allen Yanow (Turner Theatre)

Lunch
Move to Schar Center Rear Parking for Lunch and Demos

Demos
Raven Advisory (Schar Center Parking)
Pac Aerial App (Schar Center Parking)
Wilstair Drone Eng Solutions (Schar Center Parking)

Vendors/Supporters

�鶹��Ƶ Law students share personality and perspective in annual poetry slam

Michael Abernethy — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 14:09:32 +0000

Law students in Greensboro and Charlotte offered glimpses into their lives outside the classroom through poetry that explored personal experiences, challenged assumptions and found humor in unexpected places.

The annual poetry slams, organized by �鶹��Ƶ School of Law’s Legal Method and Communication Program, brought students together on Oct. 20 in celebration of the National Day on Writing, an annual observance established by the National Council of Teachers of English.

Somer Dice LF’28 recites her poem, “The Holdout,” at �鶹��Ƶ’s Charlotte campus on Oct. 20, 2026.

Through original poems that ranged from deeply personal reflections to witty observations about law school and life, students revealed parts of themselves that classmates and professors might not always see in the classroom.

In Greensboro, students competed in the Eighth Annual High Rhymes and Misdemeanors Poetry Slam. Charlotte students in the Flex Program held their third annual Poetry Slam, continuing a tradition that encourages creative expression and builds community among future lawyers.

Greensboro: ‘High Rhymes and Misdemeanors’

Marlaisha Vereen L’27 claimed first place and the People’s Choice Award for her poem, “We Once Shared the Same Sky.”

Marlaisha Vereen L’27 earned first place and the People’s Choice Award for her poem, “We Once Shared the Same Sky,” an emotional reflection inspired by a summer internship in criminal law in her hometown of Gainesville, Florida.

During the internship, Vereen encountered familiar faces from her childhood, prompting her to reflect on how differently life had unfolded for people who once shared similar dreams.

Greensboro Poet Laureate James Daniels, also an assistant professor of English at N.C. A&T University, recites his poem “Pushout: Ode to the Black of the City” on Oct. 20, 2026.

“Reconnecting with familiar faces after being away for so long caused me to reflect on how differently life unfolds for people who once shared the same dreams,” Vereen said. “As future attorneys, we must never become so consumed with learning the law that we forget the humanity behind it.”

“My hope is that my vulnerability reminds others of the importance of compassion and never forgetting where we come from.”

The Greensboro competition featured a panel of judges that included James Daniels, Greensboro’s poet laureate and an assistant professor in North Carolina A&T State University’s Department of English; Krista Contino-Saumby, director of career services at �鶹��Ƶ Law; and Sue Liemer, professor of law. Trey McClenny served as emcee.

Daniels also performed an original poem, “Pushout: Ode to the Black of the City,” for the audience.

�鶹��Ƶ Law students in Greensboro watch Giles Paradie L’27 recite his poem, “Muse,” during the eighth annual poetry slam.

Flex Program flexes lyrical prowess

In Charlotte, Nadia Mazza LF’28 held first place for the third year with her poem, “1 & Done.” It is her third win

Nadia Mazza LF’28 and �鶹��Ƶ Law Dean Zak Kramer

Nadia Mazza LF’28 captured first place in Charlotte with “1 & Done,” a lighthearted celebration of �鶹��Ƶ Law’s recent bar examination success and the culture of achievement fostered by Dean Zak Kramer and the school’s “One and Done” slogan.

The poem drew inspiration from the Class of 2025’s record performance on spring bar examinations in North Carolina and 11 other jurisdictions, when 90.9% of �鶹��Ƶ Law’s first-time test-takers passed. Kramer had promised to get a tattoo if the class reached an 85% passage rate.

“I thought Dean Kramer’s promise to get a tattoo was a compelling — and fun — way to show the power of shared motivation and commitment to a goal,” Mazza said. “I love how traditions bring a community together and give us meaningful ways to celebrate milestones like this!”

The Charlotte judging panel included Louis A. Trosch Jr., a retired Superior Court judge in North Carolina’s 26th Judicial District and an attorney at Conrad, Trosch & Kenny; Karen Neff, director of �鶹��Ƶ Charlotte; and Gabrielle Kelly, senior assistant city attorney in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Police Attorney’s Office. Adjunct Professor Bob Minarcin served as emcee.

Hanny Echeverria Navarro LF’30 won the People’s Choice Award in �鶹��Ƶ Law – Charlotte’s third annual Poetry Slam.

Greensboro ‘High Rhymes and Misdemeanors’ Poetry Slam winners

First place and People’s Choice Award: Marlaisha Vereen L’27 — “We Once Shared the Same Sky”

Second place: Elaijah Lapay L’28 — “Call”

Third place: Rachel Dale Walker L’28 — “American Will”

Charlotte Poetry Slam winners

First place: Nadia Mazza LF’28 — “1 & Done”

Second place: Somer Dice LF’29 — “The Holdout”

Third place: Auston Johnson LF’30 — “Icarus”

People’s Choice Award: Hanny Echeverria Navarro LF’30 — “You Don’t Own Me”