Background
Cone, Bonnie Ethel was born on June 22, 1907 in Lodge, South Carolina, United States. Daughter of Charles Jefferson and Addie Lavinia (Harter) Cone.
chancellor Dean educator leader president
Cone, Bonnie Ethel was born on June 22, 1907 in Lodge, South Carolina, United States. Daughter of Charles Jefferson and Addie Lavinia (Harter) Cone.
Bachelor of Science, Coker College, 1928. AM, Duke University, 1941. Doctor of Letters (honorary), Coker College, 1961.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Davidson College, 1961.
Mission Bonnie as she was known to students, was chosen to lead the Charlotte Center of the University of North Carolina in 1946, and she was instrumental in convincing the state to keep the school open in 1949. Until 1965, she served as president of Charlotte College. She stated that March 2, 1965 was the "happiest day of her life".
lieutenant was the day the North Carolina legislature voted to bring Charlotte College into the University of North Carolina system.
She served as an acting Chancellor of the university until 1966, when Dean Colvard was selected as permanent chancellor. Even though she had led the college since 1946, the State wanted a leader with experience running a four-year, public university.
Cone and the university were profiled in the July 16, 1965 issue of Time magazine. In the article, she stated, "we are not here to elevate ourselves but the institution," when asked about the chancellor position.
She served in various official positions until her retirement in 1973, at which time the main campus"s student union was renamed the Cone University Center.
Cone continued to work on behalf of the school in unofficial capacities until her death in March 2003. She is interred in the Van Landingham Gardens on the east side of the main campus, and a non-denominational meditation center is planned near the site. During her lifetime, she received 10 honorary degrees and was inducted posthumously into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in recognition to her contributions to North Carolina history.
In 2004, the stretch of United States. Highway 29 near the main campus was officially renamed the "Doctor Bonnie Cone Memorial Highway.".
Board trustees Coker College, 1954-1972, 74-79, chairperson, 1974-1976. Board directors Charlotte Young Women’s Christian Association, 1958-1961, research and service council Southern Association Colleges and Schools, 1959, United Arts Council, 1964, Scholarship Fund of the Southeastern Fair, 1964, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, 1968, Hezekiah Alexander Restoration Fund, 1969-1973, Mecklenburg Inner City, Inc., 1973-1974, Charlotte Opera Association, 1977-1980, Habitat for Humanity, 1984-1986. Board Christian education Myers Park Baptist Church, 1959.
Board visitors Davidson College, 1961. Member American Association Junior Colleges (chairperson editorial board Junior College Journal 1958-1961), North Carolina Education Association, National Education Association, American Association of University Women, Delta Kappa Gamma, Pi Mu Epsilon.