Dubois Legacy Scholarship
Philip L. Dubois and Lisa Lewis Dubois Legacy Scholarship
During his 15-year tenure as UNC Charlotte’s fourth chancellor, Philip L. Dubois led the University through a 43% growth in enrollment, an expansion of academic programs, the implementation of diversity-related initiatives, growth in research funding and the construction and renovation of campus facilities. It was also under his leadership that football was added to the University’s athletic offerings.
His dedicated leadership placed UNC Charlotte on a remarkable growth trajectory, with enrollment reaching nearly 30,000, as a leading urban research institution focused on the economic, educational, environmental, health and social needs of the Charlotte region. Chancellor Dubois led the largest facility construction and renovation program in the University’s history, exceeding $1.2 billion including The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City, the Popp Martin Student Center, Gage Undergraduate Admissions Center, and a student recreation center.
Chancellor Dubois collaborated with elected officials and the Charlotte Area Transit System to make possible the construction of the light rail line from Center City Charlotte to the UNC Charlotte campus, increasing the connection and opportunities for partnership between the University and the rest of the city. He oversaw the implementation of new academic degree programs and to reach more non-traditional students, Chancellor Dubois implemented the award-winning 49er Finish program, which helps students who left the University to complete their degrees. He partnered with Central Piedmont Community College to launch the 49erNext program, which creates a clear path for community college students to enroll at UNC Charlotte and he worked with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to create two early colleges at UNC Charlotte, one for students interested in STEM fields and another for those interested in teaching.
Chancellor Dubois’ career in higher education spans more than 40 years. As a first-generation college student, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Davis, and a master’s and doctoral degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Lisa Lewis Dubois brought warmth, grace and passion to her role as First Lady of UNC Charlotte. Over her 15-year tenure, Lisa’s initiatives strengthened the University’s ties with students and their families. She was instrumental in founding what is now the Office of Parent and Family Services and personally supervised and hosted what has become a legendary, sell-out, annual Family Day brunch on campus. Because of her tremendous respect and gratitude for veterans and a deep empathy for the sacrifices that they and their families make, Lisa was dedicated to supporting veterans achieve higher education. One of her signature events at UNC Charlotte was the Women in the Military Luncheon. She also served as chair of the well-known “Let Me Play” luncheon, which attracts hundreds of the Charlotte region’s community leaders and raises funds and awareness for female student athletes at the University.
In the community, Lisa implemented initiatives across the Charlotte region to better the lives of women and children, such as the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Women’s Summit. She served on the Board of Directors of Communities In Schools of Charlotte Mecklenburg, the Board of Directors of the Arts and Science Council and chaired the Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Art Commission.
Lisa holds both an undergraduate and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was a criminal appellate lawyer with the California Attorney General’s Office, legal counsel to the Speaker of the California State Assembly and served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Wyoming.
Phil and Lisa’s children, Logan, Taylor, and Ali, inspired by their parents’ leadership, established this endowed scholarship to honor their parents’ legacy. The Philip L. Dubois and Lisa Lewis Dubois Legacy scholarship benefits a non-traditional student with demonstrated financial need, preferably a first-generation college student from North Carolina. With the knowledge that their dad credits much of his life’s direction to the opportunity to attend a state university as a first-generation college student, this particular focus offers a fitting tribute.
“UNC Charlotte has become a part of our family,” Logan Dubois, Taylor Dubois, and Ali Dubois Merchant said in a joint statement. “The three of us wanted to do something special for our parents to celebrate their time here and to always keep our family connected to Niner Nation; we decided the best way to do that would be to establish a scholarship in their name at UNC Charlotte. We are so proud of all they have accomplished here and hope this scholarship will continue the Dubois Legacy.”