Charlotte’s new mayor, Patrick Cannon, is yet another example of a successful alumnus whose humble beginnings started right here on campus.

The Democratic mayor-elect beat out Republican opponent Edwin Peacock in the race for Charlotte seat on Election Day Nov. 5. Cannon will be sworn into office on Dec. 2.

Cannon, 46, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in broadcast production from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (JOMC) and a minor in business marketing from the School of Business and Economics at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

In 1993 at the age of 26, Cannon, a native Charlotte, was elected to the Charlotte City Council (District 3), becoming the youngest individual elected to a city council seat. Later in 2001, he was elected as an at-large member of the city council where he served as mayor pro tem for eight terms, making him the longest serving member of the board.

His historic election this month landed Charlotte voters with their third black mayor. Cannon follows in the footsteps of Anthony Foxx and Harvey Gantt, who became the first black mayor of the Queen City in 1983 and served two terms until 1987.

News reports indicate winning the mayoral race had been a lifelong goal of Cannon. Dr. Linda Florence Callahan, a professor and former chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, recalled that as a student, Cannon often spoke about this goal. Even at that young age, he carried himself professionally, Callahan said.

“You could tell he was going to go on and do great things,” she added. “His victory is a positive reflection of the department and the university.”

Cannon founded and created his own parking management firm in 1998. Additionally he is a managing partner for a business development and reduced energy lighting distribution firm. He manages a talk show on 105.3 FM. Cannon and his wife of 17 years, Trenna, have two children and currently live in South Charlotte.