The nickname, the 49ers, was chosen in recognition of the importance of the year 1949 in the history of the University.  UNC Charlotte, which began as an off-campus center of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, would have closed its doors in 1949 had Bonnie Cone and her supporters not convinced the N.C. Legislature that Charlotte needed a permanent college.  Charlotte College was established that year.  Additionally, the campus is located on N.C. Highway 49, and Charlotte has a rich gold mining history – the term “49ers” symbolizes gold mining.  A bronze statue of the 49ers Gold Miner sits at the bottom of the staircase between the College of Education and College of Health and Human Services buildings on campus.  The statue recalls the region’s history as a gold mining center and symbolizes the pioneering spirit and determination that has led to UNC Charlotte’s dramatic growth.