AN INDEPENDENT THINKER — SARAH BELK GAMBRELL 1918-2020
Charlotte icon and philanthropist Sarah Belk Gambrell passed away on July 30 at the age of 102. Born the only daughter of Mary Irwin Belk, class of 1901, and William Henry Belk, founder of the Belk department store chain, she joined the family business and quickly established herself as a champion for women in the company. Gambrell also became deeply invested in her community, serving on boards throughout Charlotte, including the Board of Trustees at Queens University of Charlotte. Self-described as a rebel and independent thinker, Gambrell took many of Charlotte’s
issues head on and worked to create change. Her legacy of service lives on through the Gambrell Foundation, now run by her daughter, Sally, and with the recently renovated Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement at Queens. The university’s newest “front porch” is a place where education and art intersect with community, a building that invites today’s rebels and independent thinkers to create a better tomorrow.
— Danielle Phillips ’13, MS ’18 ANTONIO SOTILLO FOLLOWS HIS INSTINCTS TO NETFLIX
Antonio Sotillo ’14 had no idea that his degree in business administration and finance would lead to a career in acting. His dedication and willingness to go above and beyond fueled a successful two years in banking. However, when he realized his passion wasn’t in finance, he decided to invest his energy into something new—an interest he had been nurturing since childhood. When Sotillo was invited to a casting call for The Centro de Educación Artística (CEA),
an entertainment powerhouse in Mexico, he knew he was on his way. As one of 35 to 40 students chosen from an average of 5,000 applicants, Sotillo said, “I am lucky . . . because first, I got into the school, which is hard. I gave 110 percent in my acting studies there, and then, after graduating, I booked my first job in just three months.” Sotillo credits Queens with giving him the discipline to persevere, as well as the ability
to handle rejection with maturity before getting the “yes” that landed him the role of Pablo Morales in the Netflix series Rosario Tijeras (season 3). He has dreams of making a name for himself within the entertainment industry in the United States and sharing his passion for living a healthy lifestyle, both mentally and physically, with others in the industry. For fellow and future Royals, his advice is simple —“Follow your instinct, follow your heart and don’t be afraid.” Follow Sotillo’s journey on Instagram @antoniosotillo.
—Brandy Redmond
Happening Here
Queens is committed to providing the community with top caliber arts, cultural and intellectual experiences. Until we can meet again in person, experience all Queens has to offer this spring virtually by visiting
calendar.queens.edu.
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