Sanaa Lathan Starring in ‘Flyy Girl’ Movie Adaptation

Sanaa Lathan will star in and executive produce the movie adaptation of Omar Tyree’s “Flyy Girl” book trilogy for Lionsgate’s Codeblack Films.

Lathan will portray the film’s protagonist, Tracy Ellison — a successful businesswoman and workaholic who believes that money is always the key to happiness.

Lathan will also star in Lionsgate’s “Now You See Me 2″ and the upcoming production of “The Best Man Wedding.”

“So many people have grown up on this series and I’m looking forward to bringing Tracy Ellison’s story to life through film,” Lathan said. “It’s my hope to continue to help bring diverse stories to the big screen.”

Geoffrey Fletcher (“Precious”) will write the script.

“Lathan’s star power paired with Fletcher’s nuanced script work — we’re confident that ‘Flyy Girl’ will prove to be a classic,” Codeblack Films President Jeff Clanagan said.

Lathan’s credits iclude “Brown Sugar,” “Best Man’s Holiday” and “Love and Basketball.”

Robert Melnik handled Lathan’s deal on behalf of Codeblack Films. Codeblack’s Quincy Newell and Greg Snodgrass handled the Fletcher deal. CAA represents Fletcher.

Arthur Wylie acquires film rights from the $650 Million Final Destination Creator Jeff Reddick for a new thriller franchise named Superstition

final-destination-5

Global Renaissance Entertainment Group has entered into a multi-picture production deal with Jeffrey Reddick , creator of the “Final Destination” franchise.

Reddick’s new slate with Global, which will feature multi-ethnic and culturally diverse casts, will be led off by Reddick’s screenplay “Superstition: Final Chance,” a horror/thriller set on a university campus.

The film is being set up as the first in a series of pictures aimed at leveraging Reddick’s fan base from the five “Final Destination” movies. CEO Arthur Wylie and chief operating officer Dale Godboldo will produce with Reddick exec producing.

Producers are in talks with a director.

The five “Final Destination” films grossed over $650 million worldwide. Wylie noted that Global Renaissance wants to take advantage of the interest in such films as Warner Bros.’ “The Conjuring,” which generated over $300 million worldwide.

“We knew that we wanted to be in the horror/thriller space,” he said. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Jeffrey on this endeavor, who enables us to take full advantage of the market’s clear demand for this genre.”

Reddick will also work with Global to develop the adaptation of Omar Tyree’s supernatural thriller “Leslie” into a trilogy of pictures that will take its characters beyond the novel’s story. Tyree is known for his “Flyy Girl” trilogy of novels, which were acquired this year by Lionsgate’s Codeblack Films.

 

Article by Dave McNary
Film Reporter @Variety_DMcNary

“Leslie” Film based on NY Times Best Selling Author novel will be produced by Arthur Wylie and the makers of the successful Final Destination Brand.

Leslie by Omar TyreeFrom the creators of “Final Destination”, the feature length film adaptation of the classic novel ‘LESLIE’, written by New York Times Best Selling author Omar Tyree. Now read by over 8 million worldwide, according to Tyree’s publisher Simon & Shuster, the Omar Tyree brand has generated in excess of $50M in revenue worldwide.

Part I of the “LESLIE” trilogy follows the beautiful and serious college student Leslie Beaudet who struggles with a dark, powerful secret. In the eyes of her Haitian immigrant father, Leslie is a queen. To her Black Indian mother, she is a source of pride and strength. But when an alarming string of murders begin to point in Leslie’s direction, it becomes clear that no one knows the real Leslie, or her dark hunger for power. Dillard University in the lush, mystical city of New Orleans provides the backdrop for this supernatural thriller, that touches on the darker themes explored by films such as Stephen King’ “Carrie” and “Angel Heart”, but as well, blockbusters like “Stomp The Yard” and “Final Destination”. The film will be scored by RZA, and released during the Halloween season of 2010.

Writer: Omar Tyree
Production Budget: $10,000,000

Arthur Wylie, the achievements of attainment

PRESS RELEASE
August 14, 2009 | LOS ANGELES EXAMINER
Arthur Wylie, the achievements of attainment by Sha’Linda Jeanine

Arthur Wylie Calling all hip hop practitioners, it’s that time again! The person who will one day move a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. Arthur Wylie must have caught wind of this sentiment while completing undergrad. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Arthur Wylie invested private money and set up an investment company out of his dorm room at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and was a millionaire at age 26. Wylie is the founder and CEO of Arthur Wylie Enterprises, Inc., which has overseen $475 million in assets, transactions, insurance, intellectual properties and real estate. After establishing a successful real estate company and wealth management business that serviced notable professional athletes in the NFL, NBA and boxing Wylie set out to conquer new business challenges. Greatness takes on a vision that not everyone shares, this is what establishes Arthur as an exceedingly powerful phenomenon.

The floodgates of success have provided immense folds of treasures for Mr. Wylie and such lessons he gleefully chooses to pay forward. His current projects are in film development, celebrity events, books & Cd publishing, real estate ventures and he’s a much sought after public speaker. Arthur wants to awaken your intelligence! Wylie conducts a 20 plus city tour yearly on how people can take their life, career, and wealth to the next level. His Wealth Coaching Cd, “Why Die Broke?” has been getting phenomenal reviews nationally. Arthur is currently penning two books, “Why Die Broke?” and “Networking Is Not A Dirty Word”. The books will provide insight into the goal planning, investment strategies, marketing yourself and the execution required to become victorious in any career and accumulate financial success. Wylie is also changing the balance of intellectual property and the profits that ancillary markets provide, such as TV, film, digital, and DVD products. The future movie mogul decided to enter the billion-dollar film industry and expand the content audiences get from traditional Hollywood producers. He has acquired the film rights to 16 novels by New York Times best-selling author Omar Tyree’s work. Wylie’s company, Arthur Wylie Productions — a division of Arthur Wylie Enterprises, not only holds the film rights to the current novels, but some future literary works as well.

His supernatural ability and efforts have already secured distribution to be in approximate 1500 theaters in the United States in all major cities, and exhibitor chains with one of the largest distributors. Never stopping the momentum he has now started development into Television Production as well. Arthur Wylie himself has also written several screenplays and TV episodes and is rapidly expanding his library in all genres from Thrillers to Romantic Comedies. Many people who ascend to Wylie’s heights become more and more unreal as they grow; yet Arthur Wylie is far from being unpretentious. I recently reached out to Mr. Wylie to pick his brain and engage all of you lucky readers with life altering advice because the difference between poverty and wealth is knowledge.

S. Jeanine: First and foremost I would like to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to conduct this interview. I want to begin by allowing you to plug any new projects, ventures, or promotions that you’d like to make mention of for the public to be on the look out for.

AW: Ok well it’s actually a couple of projects currently taking place. I acquired the film rights of all 16 books by New York Times best-selling author Omar Tyree’s. So we’re going to be producing film over the next 10 plus years , pushing to release one or two every year or at least every other year. I’m the executive producer of those projects. I also have brought Kim Harding on board who is one of the top-casting directors in the industry as one of my producers. Kim has been instrumental in discovering many rising stars including Halle Berry. However, all our producers are top notch and have been on projects that have grossed over $500,000,000 in box office sales. Now that’s just on the film side and only one portion of my catalog. We’re also going into television as well.

Also, I would like to discuss the official launch of the “Why Die Broke” Tour. This will be promoting my Coaching CD and workbook of how I have been teaching entrepreneurs and everyday people the secret of receiving multiple streams of income, starting companies, building wealth and beginning the path of becoming debt-free. I will also being doing workshops in those areas and webinars for those who cannot attend. I give people the step by step guide and template. The Guessing game is over!

S. Jeanine: So by now you’re world famous and have essentially traveled the globe, but you’re originally from Charlotte, NC so how often do you actually get to come back and visit the Queen City?

AW: Oh yeah I would say definitely now more than ever in this past year. When I’m in Charlotte I spend a good deal of my time with my family. The time that’s spent with them you hope to make it feel never ending. Sometimes I hit the golf course. I try and go out to see all of the new shops and restaurants that are being cultivated now in the area. Every time I come back into town it seems that they are constantly building and restructuring the landscapes. For years Charlotte was only a super mid city, but now it’s just a big city. So I like to ride around and check things out, but even when I do that it’s still in the company of my family. It’s always nice to stop back here because it gets hard to find the time to relax when you’re living bi-coastal and always on the go.

S. Jeanine: You have the “Getting Paid Tour” out right now, how did you get into motivational speaking?

AW: By managing money and being successful at it I found that people always wanted to know how to become wealthy. I began by speaking at local or church functions and people really desired to know the actual format to amassing wealth. But what really made things take off is when Omar Tyree stepped into my office one day and we began collaborating on a tour called “Why do good girl crave bad men?” for his new book that he had written entitled ‘Cold Blooded’. We took the tour to all of the colleges and universities and it became a very lucrative partnership.

S. Jeanine: So what topics do your seminars normally cover?

AW: I think it’s important to have structure. Right now I’m on my wealth building speaking tour “Why Die Broke?” and one of the things I’m always stating is that you can apply any template to any business that you’re doing. From a wealth management business, to a real estate company to something in the entertainment industry each incorporates similar platforms. It’s a lot of the same components needed for each entity, such as you have to have finances or capital. The next thing you will need to know is how to market your brand because even when you release your product in to the market if the public doesn’t know that it exist, than it doesn’t really mean anything. You’re going to also have to consider the quality of your product. You need to be able to build a niche. It’s all about taking the various components to any successful business and making them applicable to a new business in its early stages.

S. Jeanine: You have brokered a lot of monumental deals during your cycle of success. What is it that people should know or be aware of before attempting to negotiate any deal?

AW: You have to take yourself outside of what you want or only what your needs are. You have to look at their angle and consider what they may also want. Next you have to think about all of the reason why a person would say no to your deal. When you find that out you’re already ahead of the pack. You have to take all of those reasons “no” and go back to plug them into the equation so that they are turned into “yes”. Everybody wants to focus on getting to the answer, but sometimes the answer can be lying in the question.

S. Jeanine: There are a lot of people who desire to become an entrepreneur, what are the new challenges that they can expect to encounter? Meaning what is the hardest part of simply getting started?

AW: The hardest part in getting started is “getting started!” (Chuckles) People often have all of these goals and outlines towards where they would like to go but once they get it mapped out and look at the total process they get discouraged and never begin. They don’t focus on making step one. You have to follow through. Narrow it down if you have too, but you have to execute.

S. Jeanine: You recently acquired the film rights to novels by New York Times Best Selling Author Omar Tyree, what made you pursue that endeavor?

AW: Omar has over a million readers so we were able to gather upwards of $50 million in finances to produces his works. He was a strong brand that we want to further and advance. The publishing facet is a highly profitable field. Based on the success of works like those completed by Tyler Perry I recognized that people enjoyed and were willing to go and see these intellectual properties once developed. People identify and therefore become a fan of those works produced around a theatrical setting. With Omar we too now would have the ability to launch into film with a force. We’re going to use the Omar Tyree brand as a lead horse to branch off into new prosperous ventures. We are always looking for additional financing, partnerships and various structures. We are never comfortable and things can change in these financial markets at any moment. In addition, Omar and my production team won’t stop bringing great content to produce. So all serious investor let’s make a deal.

S. Jeanine: Your company has plans to develop Mr. Tyree’s works into a big screen debut nationally, what can we expect from the movie? What messages will the films convey?

AW: One is a film called “Leslie” based on the book by Omar Tyree. It’s about a Haitian family living in New Orleans. The focus is on their daughter and follows her story as she goes through the ins and outs of life and various trial and tribulations. She’s a very intelligent college girl who went to Dillard and lands in a tense situation without giving away too much. It is a nail biting action thriller that is going to separate us in this genre of film. Don’t believe the stereotypes that exist towards Omar’s work being only for women or being all about romance.

S. Jeanine: What is the most rewarding part of what you do?

AW: The most rewarding part of what I do is the FREEDOM! To be able to go out and get on a plane and go anywhere in the world and do what I love doing. My father once told me “Art if you can find something to do for a living that you can enjoy, than you never have to work another day in your life.” I’m really doing exactly what I want to do with my life. I love it because everyday is a brand new adventure.

S. Jeanine: When people hear the name Arthur Wylie what do you want to resonate with the public?

AW: Business Mogul, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Integrity, and definitely not a Quitter.

Renaissance Entertainment Group structures deal with Omar Tyree, the New York Times best-selling author, to adapt novels into internationally released films

PRESS RELEASE
October 9, 2008 | ATLANTA | PRNewswire
Renaissance Entertainment Group structures deal with Omar Tyree, the New York Times best-selling author, to adapt novels into internationally released films

Omar Tyree
Arthur Wylie, the Atlanta-based investor and self-made millionaire, has acquired the film rights of New York Times Best-selling author Omar Tyree’s work. Wylie’s company, Arthur Wylie productions- a division of Arthur Wylie Enterprises– not only holds the film rights to the current novels, but to any future literary works as well. This unprecedented multi-million dollar deal amplifies Wylie’s growing catalog of urban and mainstream action, drama, suspense and comedy films. The deal also cultivates the big screen presence of the Omar Tyree brand and longevity for the franchise. Since acquiring the film rights, Wylie has successfully brokered deals totaling over $50,000,000 to finance production for 4 of the 16 films between 2009 and 2011. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Arthur Wylie set up business out of his dorm room at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and was a millionaire by age 26.

After establishing a successful real estate company and wealth management business that serviced notable professional athletes in the NFL, NBA and Boxing, Wylie continued to be drawn to new business challenges. Foreseeing cumbersome restrictions, regulations, and an overall downturn in the financial industry, Wylie became more drawn to intellectual property and the profits that ancillary markets provide, such as TV, film, digital, and DVD products. Wylie decided to tap the billion dollar film industry that has been acknowledged by filmmakers like Tyler Perry and Spike Lee and expand the content audiences get from traditional Hollywood producers. “Omar Tyree’s work covers intricate portrayals of urban life, be it ambition, sex, or parenthood, that aren’t the traditional Hollywood depictions,” states Wylie. “This translates into compelling, deeper stories that a movie-going audience can connect with and be moved by.” Millions of loyal readers agree and have found value in Tyree’s characters. His critically-acclaimed, modern coming-of age story, FLYY GIRL, sold over a million copies. Wylie, who spent his early adulthood as an entertainment promotions manager, is excited by the possibilities of the Omar Tyree brand.

Wylie and Tyree’s partnership is a unique blend of deal-making acumen and literary artistry; the two have co-written several mainstream titles. In the end, Arthur Wylie’s goal is to provide superb films that deliver box office success while giving audiences a top-quality movie going experience. Information about Arthur Wylie’s real estate, guest speaking, and intellectual property enterprises can be found online at www.arthurwylie.com.

MAC Sports & Entertainment Signs $10 Million Deal With 31 Year-Old Ceo And Investor Arthur Wylie

PRESS RELEASE
July 6, 2006 | ST. LOUIS, MO
Mac Sports & Entertainment Signs $10 Million Deal With 31 Year-Old CEO And Investor Arthur Wylie

Arthur WylieIn a move that significantly diversifies it’s client base, MAC Sports & Entertainment has announced an agreement to represent investor, CEO, entrepreneur and professional speaker Arthur Wylie, II. The deal is worth over $10 million dollars over the next four years if incentives are met. This will make Wylie one of the highest paid speakers in the industry.

Wylie is a gifted, African-American founder and CEO of Arthur Wylie Enterprises, Inc., which oversees over $475 million in assets, transactions, life insurance in force, intellectual properties and real estate. At age 31, he is one of the nation’s most successful young businessmen, and a much sought after public speaker. Wylie conducted a 30 city tour on how people can take their life and wealth to the next level. He is penning two books, Why Die Broke?, and Networking Is Not A Dirty Word. Both books will provide insight into the vision, marketing and execution required to accumulate career and financial success. Wylie has also acquired the film rights to novels by New York Times Best Selling Author Omar Tyree, whose first project, Leslie, is in development. Most recently, Wylie negotiated his interest in acquiring ownership stake in two world-class resorts in which he will be making a formal announcement later this month. Wylie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a NASD licensed securities principal, Realtor, Film Investor and Developer.

MAC Sports & Entertainment Managing Partner Reggie Blackwell remarked, “Arthur possesses a sharp mind, and is a very dynamic speaker. The wisdom he imparts is beyond mere financial advice. He offers keys to success in many aspects of life, and we are extremely excited about our partnership.” Reggie is heading up the National Brand for Arthur Wylie with Motivational CD’s, Books, Film/TV Deals. MAC Sports & Entertainment is a full service agency that represents professional athletes, speakers, entertainers and media personalities. The firm combines contract advisor certifications with resources and experience within the marketing and event industries. The company and its sister divisions are headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with satellite offices in New York, NY, Dallas, TX, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, GA.

Black Enterprise Article: Pumping Up Portfolios

April 01, 2004
Black Enterprise Article: Pumping Up Portfolios: How one entrepreneur helps clients stay fiscally fit by Zakiyyah El-Amin

Black Enterprise Magazine April 2004 Arthur Wylie’s passion for investing started in college, when he discovered that he not only enjoyed, but had a knack for trading stocks. It was not long before Wylie transformed his fascination with the stock market into a thriving business enterprise.

These days, the 29-year-old is president of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Arthur Wylie Wealth Management Group. The firm works with clients to establish structured short-, medium-, and long-term goals, and offers a range of services, including budget planning, debt/credit management, portfolio analysis, real estate investing/purchasing, and insurance planning. Launched as a one-man operation in November 1998, the firm now has a staff of 18 and more than 1,000 individual and corporate clients.

Starting with $7,000 in personal savings, Wylie purchased a desk, computer, and office supplies, and had a Website built. In just over five years, the company’s assets under management have grown to about $40 million in investments, insurance, and real estate. The firm’s revenues reached $400,000 in 2002, and Wylie projects 2003 revenues to exceed $1.2 million.

Fiscally savvy, Wylie drew upon his own expertise when he decided to launch his venture. “Banks saw that I was a young, black man and they created a no-win situation for me.” When he applied for a loan, officers responded by stating that he needed better credit, additional collateral, and more capital.

To ensure that his credit was flawless, Wylie contacted the credit agencies in search of any discrepancies on his credit report and, if needed, he disputed the claims. To obtain additional collateral, Wylie took matters into his own hands and started buying properties, and in 2000, he added real estate services to his repertoire. Profits earned from real estate sales were set aside to help him accumulate capital. Although banks are now more willing to offer the entrepreneur funding, Wylie admits it still does not come easily.

Wylie follows a disciplined approach and focuses on establishing goals with investment vehicles that include money markets, government securities, mutual funds, stocks, and bonds. One problem Wylie mentions is the fact that when people focus on individual investments, they lose sight of their ultimate wealth management goals. Regardless of the client’s income, credit, age, etc., he or she has a budget that must be followed. “I like to focus on the plan, not the investment,” he says.

Wylie says the recent mutual fund scandal has actually driven his business up because clients are moving away from the larger companies in search of a company, like his, that will offer more personalized attention. Clients are no longer concerned with the size of the firm, but rather who is managing their money.

Looking ahead, Wylie is planning to expand regionally and open satellite offices in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. Wylie also plans to place a heavier emphasis on wealth management for individuals in the sports and entertainment arenas. “It is one thing for a client to give me a million dollars to manage. However, I form a trusting alliance with a client when I help him or her to accumulate wealth.”

The Charlotte Observer, N.C., Business $uccess Column: Wylie instills discipline to help build wealth.

PRESS RELEASE
December 1, 2003 | The Charlotte Observer, N.C. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
Section: MONEYWISE | Edition: ONE-THREE | Page: 3D
Business $UCCESS Column by Amy Baldwin, Staff Writer

The Charlotte Observer He instills discipline to help build wealth.

Charlotte native Arthur Wylie II, 28, has built a wealth management firm that boasts 1,200 clients, including poet and writer Omar Tyree and former Charlotte Hornets player Dell Curry’s foundation, and $40 million under management. He touts full-service financial planning, from buying stocks, real estate and insurance to estate and budgeting issues. Wylie talked recently with staff writer Amy Baldwin about his success in acquiring wealth and helping others do the same.

Before graduating from UNC Charlotte in 1999 with a degree in finance, I interned at Merrill Lynch. I noticed they focused on a person who already had acquired massive amounts of money, but they didn’t get at the point of how that wealth was created. They were more about maintaining those particular assets and performing certain transactions.

Later, while working at a smaller financial services firm, I noticed the same thing. Clients would come in and if they wanted life insurance, they got life insurance. If they wanted, stocks or bonds, they got stocks or bonds. It was like filling orders.

I asked myself, `Why are we just focusing just on making transactions?’

I didn’t think it benefited me to be that kind of adviser, nor did it benefit my clients, because they didn’t have an overall view of their financial well-being and security.

I thought financial advisers should focus on making sure a person is financially strong from all aspects. I thought that clients needed to have a complete financial plan to get to where they are trying to go. Even if they have $1 million when they walk in the door, we should ask ourselves: `Could they have $2 million if they watch their expenses on a day-to-day basis and work within their budget?’

What clients were needing from me was discipline, discipline, discipline to help them get to where they needed to be going. And the only way I could give them that was to know where they were, by helping them put together a complete budget, check their credit reports and even help them evaluate major purchasing decisions.

People would say things like, `Why can’t I buy a house? I have a good job. I have a good salary. Is there anything I can do?’

People think that just because you are a doctor, you automatically know what you are doing with your money. But it doesn’t matter what income bracket you are in.

Wealth planning, unlike financial planning, is a whole other tier. It’s financial planning with a big exclamation point on it. It’s what I have found people are looking for – clear, concise, dependable information that can help them accumulate wealth.

I mean, that’s the bottom line. How many people do you know who don’t want to be wealthy? Society ranks a person’s success by how much money they can end up making.

UNC Charlotte Alumni Association recognizes seven at awards banquet

PRESS RELEASE
October 31, 2003
UNC Charlotte Alumni Association recognizes seven at awards banquet
Former athletic director and men’s basketball coach Mullins named Alumnus by Choice

aw_green CHARLOTTE –  Earlier this month, several hundred alumni, faculty, staff and friends of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte gathered to celebrate the recipients of this year’s annual alumni awards presented by the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association.

The Saturday, Oct. 18, reception was followed by an awards dinner, emceed by alumnus Mike McKay. During the awards ceremony, former men’s head basketball coach and athletics director Jeff Mullins was named Alumnus by Choice. Additionally, the board, for the first time ever, inducted a legacy into the Hall of Fame when it added Misty Cowan Hathcock and her mother Linda Humble, along with the late Russell Lee Kologiski, to its ranks.

Also honored were Mary Ann Rouse, who was honored as Distinguished Alumna, and Arthur Wylie was tapped as Outstanding Young Alumnus. Richard H. Toenjes, UNC Charlotte’s faculty president and an associate professor of philosophy, was recognized for Faculty Service.

More detailed bios of the award winners are listed below. For more information, contact the UNC Charlotte Office of Alumni Affairs at (704) 687-2273.

2003 Alumni Award Winners:

Mary Ann Rouse
2003 Distinguished Alumna

A 1980 graduate from the Belk College of Business Administration, Mary Ann Rouse has repeatedly demonstrated her commitment to her alma mater by selflessly giving both her time and talent as president of the Alumni Association and through numerous other leadership roles. As vice president for finance at Carolinas Healthcare System, Rouse has put her education into action and modeled the values instilled by her family and UNC Charlotte. For the stature she has attained in her profession, her participation in the life of her community, and for her loyal service to her alma mater, the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association presented to Mary Ann its Distinguished Alumna Award.

Jeffrey V. Mullins
2003 Alumnus by Choice

In his 11 years with UNC Charlotte as the men’s head basketball coach and director of athletics, Jeff Mullins distinguished both the university and himself. While his basketball record alone makes him a worthy nominee, his leadership and positive attitude in building a great team makes him a natural choice for this award. Mullins said he came to UNC Charlotte following an outstanding career with Duke and the NBA because he believed it to be “one of the best jobs in the country.” He viewed the university’s work – his work – as more than graduating students with a four-year degree. He saw it as preparing them for a lifetime. For his inspiration and dedication, Jeff Mullins is this year’s Alumnus by Choice.

Arthur Wylie
2003 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award

In a time when most graduates are eager to find a job after completing their undergraduate education, Arthur Wylie sought opportunities to create his own niche in the financial services field. While attending classes and working part time, he laid the foundation for his company, Arthur Wylie Financial Service. Today, the company manages more than $35 million in investments, insurance and real estate, and prides itself on its clients’ success. This 1999 College of Business Administration graduate offers his financial acumen both to his alma mater and community. Wylie conducts workshops for churches, community groups, and professional organizations and is a frequent university speaker to student groups. A successful businessman and who gives back to his community, Arthur Wylie is the Outstanding Young Alumnus.

Richard H. Toenjes
2003 Faculty Service Award

Serving as faculty president is just one of the many hats that Dick Toenjes wears. He is an associate professor in the Department of Philosophy, which he served for many years as chair. A specialist in business ethics, Toenjes is a faculty associate in the Center for Professional and Applied Ethics. He chaired the task force on academic integrity that published the “Code of Student Academic Integrity,” a model that is used by other UNC institutions. Perhaps his greatest achievement at UNC Charlotte is designing the respected and successful annual Barnhardt seminar, “Ethics and the World of Business,” named in memory of William H. Barnhardt whose family underwrites the seminar. For ensuring that ethics is at the core of the university and for his leadership roles, Dick Toenjes is honored with the Faculty Service Award.

Misty Cowan Hathcock, Linda L. Humble and Russell Lee Kologiski (posthumously)
2003 Hall of Fame

Misty Hathcock has earned an impressive four degrees from UNC Charlotte: ’85 B.A. in intermediate education, ’91 M.Ed., ’92 M.A. in educational administration and ’96 C.A.S. Certificate of Advancement in educational administration. Not only that, she will receive her fifth, a doctorate in education, in May 2004. However, Hathcock didn’t consider entering a classroom on another campus, so impressed is she with the caliber and prestige of an education at UNC Charlotte. Hathcock not only is an alumna, she is an employee, serving as director of the N.C. Teaching Fellows Program in the College of Education. She has served, and continues to serve her university in spades: as past-president of the Alumni Board of Governors, ex-officio member of the Athletic Foundation Board, member of the UNC Charlotte Foundation Board and board of the Endowment Fund, among many others. In 1999 she received the Distinguished Alumna Award from the Department of Educational Administration.

Although her daughter, Misty Hathcock, has her outnumbered in the area of degrees, Linda Humble’s blood runs no less green and is no less distinguished in the field of education. Humble ’78 M.Ed., ’88 C.A.S. was Central Teacher of the Year and runner-up to State Teacher of the Year in 1982. In 1990 she was selected as Anson County Principal of the Year and UNC Charlotte’s Department of Educational Administration Distinguished Alumna. Humble serves her alma mater on the Alumni Association Board of Governors and volunteers extensively within the community and at her church. Certainly one of her biggest contributions to UNC Charlotte was introducing her daughter to the university. Due to their parallel careers in educating the students of North Carolina and the devotion they have shown their alma mater, the Board of Governors of the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association has voted to tap Humble and Hathcock as the first Legacy recipients to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Though his career was brief, Rusty Kologiski ’71 made significant contributions to the developing study of natural wetlands. While serving a tour of duty in Vietnam, he developed a strong interest in botany and ecology. He earned a biology degree from UNC Charlotte and a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University in botany. His doctoral study of the 13,000-acre Green Swamp Preserve in Brunswick County was the first to document its ecological importance. Kologiski was a member of the N.C. Rare and Endangered Plant Species Committee and served as a botanist for the Smithsonian Institution Ecology program. Working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a regional botanist, he studied the endangered plant species in New Mexico and grassland vegetation in North Dakota, tirelessly working to enforce the Endangered Species Act. With his natural gifts, Kologiski returned to UNC Charlotte to teach. Friends and faculty set up a permanent memorial, the Russell Kologiski Field Trip Fund, to honor him. For his many contributions to his alma mater and the earth, Rusty Kologiski is being inducted into the Hall of Fame.