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The Month in Photos: March 2026

Ƶ is featuring a variety of photos every month to highlight the exceptional learning, work and activities of students, faculty and staff.

March at Ƶ featured a range of academic, cultural and community events as the spring semester continued. Ƶ Day saw a record-break amount raised, the Ƶ Wind Ensemble made their Carnegie Hall debut and the Ƶ Speaker Series welcomed a renowned techno-sociologist.

These photos highlight key moments from the month, captured by staff in the Office of University Communications.

Ƶ Day

Ƶ’s 13th annual Ƶ Day saw a record-breaking amount raised thanks to the generosity of alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends. Over the course of 24 hours, supporters made 6,214 gifts, raising a record-breaking $3.58 million, with each gift being an investment in the experiences that define an Ƶ education.

A student has their face painted during Ƶ Day in March 2026.

Carnegie Concert

The Ƶ Wind Ensemble took the stage on March 11 at Carnegie Hall in New York City, marking the first time an ensemble from the university performed inside the world-renowned venue.

Ƶ Wind Ensemble performs at Carnegie Hall on March 11, 2026.

Connecting with Queens

Activity related to the merger between Ƶ and Queens University of Charlotte continues to expand this spring with recent efforts focused on campus visits, external outreach and community engagement.

Administrators and staff from Queens University of Charlotte traveled to Ƶ for a day of meetings and tours, the integration team members from both organizations met on the Ƶ campus, and admissions leaders welcomed counselors from across the country for a joint fly-in experience that included both campuses.

Queens University staff visit Ƶ for a campus tour on March 18, 2026.

Roots & Horizons

The Spring Dance Concert, “Roots & Horizons,” drew inspiration from the Akan concept of Sankofa, meaning “to go back and get it,” which emphasizes the importance of learning from the past to move forward. The production featured works by all women choreographers, including Ƶ faculty and guest artists, performed by Ƶ students.

Dress rehearsal of the Spring Dance Concert “Roots & Horizons” at McCrary Theater on March 5, 2026.Artistic Director: Keshia Gee

‘We should do better’

In The Baird Lecture on March 12, part of the Ƶ Speaker Series, techno-sociologist Zeynep Tufecki spoke to the threats posed by artificial intelligence and how college students can be at the forefront of a solution.

“Don’t let anybody tell you this is so big that we can’t do anything, because we have always done this,” she said. “We just can do it better. We should do it better.”

Techno-sociologist Zeynep Tufecki delivers the Baird Lecture on March 12, 2026 in McCrary Theatre.

A WEekend of wellness

The second Women of Ƶ WEekend brought together the Ƶ community for two days focused on connection, inspiration and transformation. The event centered around the six dimensions of well-being within HealthEU: community, emotional, financial, physical, purpose and social.

Held on March 13 and 14, the WEekend included information sessions with experts on a variety of topics, including a fireside chat with Joy Bauer, nutrition expert from the TODAY Show.

Ƶ President Connie Ledoux Book and the TODAY show’s Joy Bauer participate in a fireside chat about nutrition during the Women of Ƶ WEekend on March 14, 2026.