Each day this week, we'll take a look at different aspects of what Homecoming means at NC State. As we count down to Saturday, we'll highlight new features generated by members of the Wolfpack community at ncsu.edu.

Leading the Wolfpack - Today & Beyond

NC State celebrates students who make outstanding contributions in the areas of leadership, scholarship and community service.

Beyond the Belltower

As six outstanding, current NC State students vie for the 2009 Leader of the Pack honors, we wanted to catch up with some of our previous award recipients, to see what they've been up to, and how the honor helped to define or enhance their personal commitment to serving those around them.

Mark Clapp (2005)

Mark Clapp (New Hill, NC) hopes that he'll one day be able to share with his patients the attentiveness and passion that Clapp's NC State professors displayed to him during his undergraduate years.

A third-year medical student at UNC, Clapp plans to pursue a master's degree in public health before returning to school for his final year. After graduation, Clapp hopes to become either an internist or pediatrician and be involved in medical education.

"My experiences at NC State instilled a passion for service and leadership which has shaped my character and professional aspirations," Clapp said. "As a physician, I will have the ability to both lead and serve in my community through interacting with patients on a daily basis.

"I am grateful for such programs and organizations, like the Caldwell Fellows Program, that supported my leadership endeavors, molded my leadership style, and gave me an outlet to serve."

Matt Avery (2008)

Matt Avery (Winterville, NC) continues to serve others both on NC State's campus and in the surrounding community. A senior double-majoring in textile engineering and materials science and engineering, Matt spends time mentoring students at Cary's Dillard Drive Elementary School and has also volunteered with the Raleigh Boys and Girls Club.

"This opportunity has allowed me to share many stories about my experiences at NC State and has given me the chance to network with a variety of individuals," Avery said."I hope that all students take advantage of the service and leadership opportunities made available to them while at NC State.

"My experiences at NC State have definitely shaped me into the person I am today," he said. "I have gained leadership skills that I will use forever, acquired a passion for service that will never fade, and made a group of friends that I will never forget."

Mital Patel (2003)

After graduating from NC State, 2003 Leader of the Pack award recipient Mital Patel (Morehead City, NC) searched for a way to marry his passion for technology with his passion for affecting the lives of those around him in a positive way.

Patel - who graduated from NC State in 2005 with a degree in computer science - enrolled in law school as a charter member of Elon University's School of Law's first class. He passed the North Carolina Bar Exam in July and hopes to work at a Triangle law firm practicing intellectual property, technology and corporate law.

"My time at NC State has probably shaped me like no other experience I've had in my life - not even law school," Patel said. "Because I was at NC State at a time when I was starting to develop my ideas, goals and aspirations, it has completely shaped the way I see and interact with the world."

Robby Moorefield (2004)

During his senior year at NC State, Robby Moorefield (Atlanta, GA) was accepted into Teach for America, a non-profit organization that hopes to eradicate educational inequity in our nation's schools.

Moorefield is in his fourth year of teaching at Henderson (NC) Middle School, where he facilitated one tutorial program for students facing long-term suspension and a implemented a Saturday program for those struggling academically. He also serves on the school's leadership team and was honored as an Amgen Fellow - an award given to Teach for America participants who best reflect the organization's core values and principles in the classroom.

"Teaching has been the most challenging experience of my life, yet the most rewarding," he said. "I went into teaching to make a difference in this world.

"Even if I were to only reach one child, it would be worth it."

Tony Caravano (2002)

Tony Caravano may have graduated five years ago, but he has undoubtedly continued to mirror NC State's public service mission. The Palm Bay, Florida, native has devoted his life to serving others, working alongside some of North Carolina's most powerful legislators - U.S. senator Kay Hagan, N.C. General Assembly president pro tempore Marc Basnight and UNC system president Erskine Bowles - while increasing his involvement with the NC State Young Alumni Council, Friends of the Library Board and Emerging Tarheel Leaders.

"Good fortune and blessings have followed me since my time at NC State, and I owe a great deal of that to the preparation I received from the university," Caravano said. "Winning this award only served to stoke the fire within and reminded me that there is so much to be done during one's lifetime, and to this day, I still look back upon it as a positive source of motivation."

Contributions

This article was written by Dave Pond, Web writer for ncsu.edu. Images courtesy NC State Creative Services, CSLEPS, as well as 2009 candidates and past award recipients. Site created, designed and programmed by NC State Web Communications.