🩺 Wake Forest University launches Charlotte’s first four-year med school
Presented by Wake Forest University
WFU aims to eventually have nearly 1,000 medical students training across both its campuses. | Photo courtesy Atrium Health
Wake Forest University is making Charlotte history with a brand-new academic campus opening this summer, anchored by the first-ever four-year School of Medicine.
Charlotte has been the largest city in the U.S. without a four-year medical school for years now.
That all changes in August when the School of Medicine will welcome the inaugural class of 48 students to the Howard R. Levine Center for Education. (Class sizes will expand over time, eventually growing to 100 students, for a total of 400 medical students enrolled at any given time.)
Students will experience:
State-of-the-art facilities, equipped for advanced medical training and research.
Proximity to IRCAD: A world-renowned French surgical-training institute, opening its four-floor North American headquarters at The Pearl.
Collaboration opportunities with Connect Labs, which offers prebuilt lab and office space for small biotech companies that need access to specialized equipment + personnel. Talk about helpful neighbors.
Education across disciplines
Wake Forest also plans to relocate its Charlotte-based MBA program and School of Professional Studies from Uptown to The Pearl, giving working professionals even more ways to upskill and connect.
The new campus is specifically designed to encourage collaboration between students and faculty across these varying industries.
The School of Professional Studies will continue offering 100% online programs, with in-person courses and events potentially on the horizon.
Statewide strategy
Looking at the big picture, this strategic expansion will further strengthen Wake Forest University’s growing Innovation Corridor, bridging the Winston-Salem location with its new CLT campus.
The result? A supercharged network driving talent, research, and entrepreneurship across NC.
Charlotte Million Dollar Dinner | 6-8 p.m. | STK Steakhouse | $174 | Savor a delectable meal and cocktails for less than a million dollars.
Campfire Tales: Careful Where You Tread | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Free Range Brewing | $10+ | Join local creatives as they tell stories combining your favorite scary movies and comedy.
Thursday, June 12
National Outlet Shopping Day | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Charlotte Premium Outlets | Cost of purchase | Experience a day of deals, games, and shopping.
Sundown Sounds: Fix You | 7:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. | Pearl Street Park | Free | Spend the evening outdoors, surrounded by friends and live music.
Friday, June 13
OneBlood Blood Drive | 12-6 p.m. | NoDa Brewing Company | Free | Donate blood to receive a gift card, trucker hat, and a beer voucher.
Low Country Boil | 6 p.m. | State of Confusion | Cost of purchase | Enjoy live music and mouthwatering dinner, packed with shrimp, crab, and all the fixin’s.
Charlotte Ballet FLIP: Choreographic Workshop | 7:30 p.m. | Patricia McBride and Jean | $32 | Time is running out to marvel at this showcase choreographed by Charlotte Ballet’s dancers.
Paris Baguette, a world-famous bakery, is now open at Rea Farms in South Charlotte, with another bakery coming soon to Indian Land, SC. Charlotte residents Steve and Mia Kim fell in love with the shop in Korea before deciding to open a Queen City location, serving French baguettes, coffee, and pastries. (The Charlotte Observer)
Eat
Flame Bistro & Bar is now open in Pineville along McIntyre Ridge Road. The menu boasts dozens of Asian fusion dishes and craft cocktails + promises dishes inspired by Beijing, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Try This
Consider trying a first-of-its-kind coffee shop. Rock Hill’s Techno Cafe serves hot and cold brews with robots acting as the baristas. A ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration is planned for this Friday, June 13.
Coming Soon
Hardy Boys Records is expanding. The beloved record store at Camp North End is opening a second storefront in the former 704 Shop location in South End. It’s anticipated to open in August.
Read
Get your reading list ready. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Plaza Midwood branch is now open after months of renovations. Visitors will see fully-renovated restrooms, a repaved parking lot + an upgraded children’s section planned for this summer. (WCNC)
A mixed-use development is coming to the corner of East Boulevard and Scott Avenue in Dilworth. SunCap Property Group filed permits with Mecklenburg County to construct apartments starting late this year. The project spans 1.6 acres, including the Starbucks, which will remain open. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Business
City council is also considering new regulations for street vendors in NoDa. The proposed plan aims to address concerns about unregulated vendors by requiring permits and identification. Council is expected to vote on the proposal later this month. (WCNC)
Cause
The Kannapolis Police Department launched a school supply drive for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. Donations will be accepted in the lobby of the Kannapolis City Hall & Police Department at 401 Laureate Way through July 31. See the full list of supplies. (WCNC)
Sports
Shaq is leaving Charlotte. Veteran Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills. Thompson spent 10 years with Carolina, racking up 752 tackles, 12 sacks, and three interceptions.
Plan Ahead
The NASCAR Hall of Fame is hosting a Viva Mexico 250 viewing party. The race is NASCAR’s first outside of the US in 25+ years. Hear those engines roar in the High Octane Theater for $10 on Sunday, June 15, starting at 2 p.m.
Listen
Could the Sixers shake up the Hornets’ draft pick chances? Go beyond the clipboard for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Finance
Imagine a place where your financial needs are met with a genuine smile and a helping hand. Enter: Huntington Bank. Their new branch in the SouthPark area in Charlotte is ready to welcome you with open arms. Swing by the branch and say hi to the local team.*
Wellness
It’s not just you — aches, brain fog, and low energy could signal a gap in your diet. This patented supplement (discovered through dolphin research) contains an essential fatty acid linked to healthier aging + better immunity, metabolism, and mood. Get 15% off with code 6AMCITY.*
Category
Culture
⭐️ A star is born
Darius J. Manuel, Taylor Brice, Deidre Lang, and the cast of “Tina” will rock the socks off the audience. | Photo by Julieta Cervantes via Blumenthal Arts
“Proud Mary, keep on burning.” Charlotte native Taylor Brice is ready to welcome the Queen City to laugh, sing, cry, and dance during “TINA - The Tina Turner Musical” at Belk Theater at Blumenthal Arts.
City Editor Maria, here. I got the chance to chat with the young star on the show’s return to Charlotte, and becoming a young queen of rock n’ roll.
Q: How does it feel to play young Tina in this iconic show? A: Playing young Tina is such an honor because she was strong, brave, and incredibly talented at a young age. I get to show the beginning of her journey, and that’s really special.
Q: Do you have a favorite song or piece from the show? A: I love the song “Proud Mary.” The music is fun and energetic. It’s my favorite because I love the dance that goes along with it.
Tickets start at $40 for the show running Tuesday, June 10 through Sunday, June 15.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Father’s Day is coming up this Sunday, June 15, and, if you’re scrambling to think of where to go for dinner, don’t worry. Here are three options in the city:
}})
