In this interview, Cameron Morrison Harris, long-time resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, and alumnus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, discusses his experience growing up in Charlotte and his involvement with UNC Charlotte and its predecessor Charlotte College. He describes his grandfather Cameron Morrison, the former governor of North Carolina, and comments on his father James Harris's development of Governor Morrison's estate in what is now Cotswold, South Park, and Ballantyne in Charlotte. He recalls meeting Bonnie Cone for the first time and describes her determination and motherly care for students as well as what it was like having her as an academic advisor. He reflects on Bonnie Cone's legacy, shares his opinion of her not being selected as chancellor of UNC Charlotte, and provides his estimation of whether her vision for Charlotte College has been fulfilled. Mr. Harris also discusses his philosophy of higher education and the circumstances surrounding the creation of a football program at UNC Charlotte. Other topics include prominent Charlotteans such as Oliver Rowe, J. A. Jones, and Woody Kennedy; professors that made a particular impression on Mr. Harris, such as Loy Witherspoon and Ruth Blackwelder; his involvement with the golf team while he was a student; and the role he played in bringing the Niner Miner and Self-made Man statues to UNC Charlotte's campus, including the Miner statue's connection to the development of the university's Distinguished Service Award.
