Breadcrumb Navigation:
Home > Featured Stories > Community of Scholars > October 2008 > Leader of the PackLeaders of the Pack
2008-09 Leader of the Pack winners Elise Bullard and Matt Avery, with NC State chancellor James L. Oblinger.
By Dave Pond, Web Communication
The ability to excel academically at NC State is a noteworthy achievement in itself, but when coupled with unblemished character and leadership skills, it helps the world form a better picture of the type of students honing real-life skills on our campus.
In lieu of selecting a traditional Homecoming king and queen, NC State recognizes a pair of students who make outstanding contributions to NC State through the Leader of the Pack program. Finalists are selected based on grade-point average, essays and interviews as well as a student-body vote.
During halftime of Saturday's football game, Elise Bullard ('11) and Matt Avery ('10) were named this year's winners, and were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by the NC State Alumni Association, Student Government, the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service, University Bookstore, the Younts Leadership Fund and the NC State Athletics Department.
NC State chancellor James Oblinger, along with 2007-08 Leader of the Pack winners Anna Patton and Nick Schultz, were on hand to congratulate this year's recipients.
Bullard is a sophomore psychology major from Asheboro, N.C., who has done extensive work with Relay for Life, a nationwide movement that raises money for cancer research and treatment. A year ago, Bullard founded and captained the University Honors Program Relay for Life team at NC State, and helped to raise more than $4,000 for cancer research.
In addition she works closely with students at Centennial Middle School, conducting tutoring sessions with individual students and groups in the fields of science and mathematics.
Avery, a junior double-majoring in textile engineering and materials science and engineering at NC State, also has a passion for mentoring younger students and giving back to the greater community surrounding NC State's campus. During the holidays, Avery organized the "Be an Angel" service project, in which College of Textiles students and staff purchase Christmas presents for less-fortunate pupils at Centennial Middle School.
He also built a weekly mentor relationship with a local fourth-grader, helping him work toward achieving his goals both in and out of the classroom.
Avery, Bullard and Jezzette Rivera, a junior in criminology and political science, also received $250 book scholarships as the finalists with the highest overall GPA.
The other four 2008-09 finalists were Anthony Kulukulualani, a senior biological sciences major from Fayetteville, N.C., and Honolulu, Hawaii; Kim Orr, a junior biological sciences and nutrition major from Raleigh, Rivera, a junior criminology and political science major from West Hartford, Conn.; and Jon York, a junior in textile technology from Winston Salem, N.C.
Nick Schultz
Schultz – a 2007-08 Leader of the Pack – was diagnosed with leukemia in March. Despite traveling weekly to Durham for an intensive course of treatment, he has maintained a rigorous course load at NC State and even did a summer internship with a local engineering and consulting firm.
“How I feel changes from day to day, but for the most part I have been feeling good,” he said. “It has been difficult to manage taking courses while going to Duke every week for treatment, but my professors have been very flexible and willing to work with me, and I'm grateful for that.
“I’m always hearing from friends and faculty at NC State, asking how I'm doing and letting me know they are there for me,” Schultz said. “It’s uplifting to know that so many people are still thinking and praying for me – I am so thankful to be apart of the NC State family.”
