A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of bonnie E. cone, founder of the university of north carolina at charlotte.
Whereas, Bonnie E. Cone was born in Lodge, South Carolina, on June 22, 1907, to Charles Cone and Addie Harter Cone; and
Whereas, Bonnie Cone graduated magna cum laude from Coker College in 1928 and earned a masters degree in mathematics from Duke University in 1941; and
Whereas, Bonnie Cone spent much of her life as an educator, inspiring countless students to excel in science; and
Whereas, in 1943, Bonnie Cone was recruited to teach math at Duke University, where she was the only female teacher on Duke's west campus; and
Whereas, in 1945, Bonnie Cone worked in the Naval Ordnance Lab in Washington, D.C., as a statistical analyst studying mine detection reports; and
Whereas, Bonnie Cone returned to North Carolina in 1946 and began teaching at Central High School in Charlotte; and
Whereas, during this time, Bonnie Cone also served as a part‑time math instructor at the University of North Carolina's Charlotte Center, a night school established to aid veterans of World War II; and
Whereas, in 1948, Bonnie Cone became the director of the Center; and
Whereas, Bonnie Cone worked diligently on behalf of the Center, aiding in the conversion of the Center into Charlotte College, a two‑year institution; raising funds to buy land for a separate campus; obtaining support from the City's business community to support the College; garnering approval from the City's voters for a special tax to maintain the College; and lobbying for the expansion of the College's curriculum into a four‑year college; and
Whereas, in 1965, Bonnie Cone's hard work on behalf of the College was recognized and rewarded when Charlotte College was made a part of the State's university system; and
Whereas, Bonnie Cone served as acting Chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1966, and for a number of years served as Vice‑Chancellor for student affairs and community relations; and
Whereas, after retiring, Bonnie Cone continued to work vigorously on behalf of the University, helping with fundraising and building alumni support; and
Whereas, Bonnie Cone was truly proud of the University she founded and was greatly honored when the University named its Student Union after her and established five Distinguished Professorships in her name; and
Whereas, Bonnie Cone served as a trustee of Coker College and Belmont Abbey College, as a member of the Board of Visitors at both Davidson College and Johnson C. Smith University, and as the first female President of the Southern Association of Junior Colleges; and
Whereas, Bonnie Cone was a supporter of various organizations, including the Charlotte Symphony, the Charlotte Opera, the Boy Scouts, the YWCA, the Children's Nature Museum, Habitat for Humanity, the United Arts Council, and the Charlotte Central Lions Club; and
Whereas, Bonnie Cone was the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including the National Conference of Christians and Jews Silver Medallion for citizenship in 1962; the 26th Judicial District Bar Association's Law Day Liberty Bell Award in 1966; and the North Carolina Award from the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina in 1982, of which she was the first female recipient; and
Whereas, Bonnie Cone received honorary degrees from Davidson College, Coker College, Belmont Abbey College, Queens College, Mt. Holyoke College, Wake Forest University, Pfeiffer University, Duke University, Lander University, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte; and
Whereas, Bonnie Cone lived by the motto: "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do, and what I ought to do, by the Grace of God, I will"; and
Whereas, Bonnie Cone died on March 8, 2003, leaving a legacy of commitment and dedication to the education of the people of this State and nation; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Bonnie E. Cone and expresses the gratitude of the citizens of this State for the service she rendered and the contributions she made in founding the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly expresses its deepest sympathy to the family of Bonnie E. Cone for the loss of a beloved family member.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Bonnie E. Cone and to the Chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.