NC State Feature Stories

Stories From June 2009

Making Your Career Recession-Proof

Last fall, as the country skidded into a deep economic recession, Rebecca Swanson read a panicky e-mail from an NC State alumnus. "He was a middle manager and in a heartbeat he had been laid off," Swanson said. "He had no job, no skills that were in demand, and two kids to support. So he turned to his school for help."

A Chat with the Chancellor

Before he took the stage in front of members of the NC State family gathered Tuesday afternoon for a standing-room-only welcome celebration, our new chancellor Jim Woodward spent a few minutes speaking with us on camera. Watch the video — the first of many to come from Chancellor Woodward as he keeps his promise of openness and transparency.

Welcome Home

From the youngest undergrad to members of the university’s Board of Trustees, members of the NC State family gathered Tuesday afternoon for a standing-room-only celebration to officially welcome former professor Jim Woodward back to the university as chancellor.

Planting for the Future

Brent Droege, a senior in NC State's College of Management's bachelor of accounting program, is working to help troubled youth in his community begin to realize their potential by giving them real-life work experience. Droege recently launched a seasonal lawn care business – The Agape Lawn Company – to help young people between 14 and 22 develop landscaping skills, earn money and get a taste of entrepreneurship.

Ready to Lead

After a long, distinguished career in higher education, Jim Woodward found himself quite comfortable in retirement – a career choice that allowed the former UNC-Charlotte chancellor an opportunity to relax the days away (sans jacket and tie, of course) with his wife, Martha, and their new puppy. Then came a Sunday afternoon phone call from UNC system president Erskine Bowles, who asked if Woodward – whose teaching career began at NC State in 1968 – would be interested in returning to campus as the university’s chancellor. It was the only position, Woodward recalled earlier this week, capable of luring him out of retirement.

Jim Woodward Named Interim Chancellor of NC State University

Dr. Jim Woodward has been named of North Carolina State University, bringing years of administrative experience and leadership to the university. Woodward, who started work at NC State June 9, previously served as the chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte from 1989 to 2005.

Saving History

In the dark and dusty recesses of Reynolds Coliseum, NC State's athletics history has been waiting for a crew of liberators. Its freedom is close at hand, as GoPack.com managing editor Tim Peeler, Wolfpack football wide receiver Donald Bowens, athletics marketing intern Blake Scher and others have begun to uncover everything from Bill Cowher's long-lost personnel file to 1930's film footage featuring NC State coaching legend Everett Case guiding a squad of high schoolers through the 1937 Indiana state playoffs.

A Passion for Education

In May, Todd Klaenhammer was named the recipient of the O. Max Gardner Award, given annually to the UNC system professor who has made the “greatest contribution to the welfare of the human race.” A member of the National Academy of Sciences, the quality of Klaenhammer’s work in the lab is above comparison – rivaled only by the passion he displays in educating students in NC State’s College of Agriculture & Life Sciences.

What’s in the Bag?

One NC State student who sampled Stop Hunger Now’s fortified rice-soy meal said it tastes like Ramen Noodles – indeed, a residence-hall staple almost every college student could identify with. Others say it’s more “Rice-a-Roni,” and toss in extra spices, tofu or meat to the dish, to make it even heartier. And, at just 25 cents per serving, the meals-in-a-bag are cheaper, and much more nutritious, than their store-bought counterparts.

The Million Meal March

When NC State students return to campus for the fall semester the first thing they’ll do, before unpacking their Frisbees and firing up their PlayStations, will be to help package a million meals for Stop Hunger Now, an international relief organization that provides nutritious pre-packaged meals throughout the developing world.

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