Red And White For Life: IRC President Lindsay Skully looks back on her NC State career

Posted: May 10, 2012

a photograph of IRC President Lindsay Skully
Photo: IRC President Lindsay Skully

By Lindsay Skully

Three years ago, if someone had told me that I would become the president of one of NC State's largest student organizations, I would have laughed in his or her face. In fact, if four years ago someone had told me I would end up at NC State, I probably would have laughed. When I was a junior in high school, NC State was not my plan. I began having second thoughts about the University of South Carolina shortly after receiving my acceptance letter, and in a rush to find a school I would call home for the next four years, I applied to NC State. I didn't know much about the school, but I knew they didn't like the blue schools down the road, and neither did I.

NC State was a huge leap of faith for me; I did not visit the campus until I came for orientation. After a nine-hour drive from my home in Ohio, the friendly faces of NC State students and staff greeted me. One thing became clear: if I wanted to get the most out of my experience at State, I needed to get involved.

About a month later, it was time to move in to my residence hall. As Wolfpack Welcome Week kicked-off, my primary goal became finding an organization to join. My Resident Advisor recommended an organization she had been involved in called the Inter-Residence Council (IRC). During an IRC info session, I decided to run for the Facilities Committee Chair position. I didn't really know what I was getting myself into, but it was somewhere for me to start. That year, as the Facilities Chair, I led committee meetings at which we helped fund facilities projects in the residence halls. I also became an active member of IRC by contributing to programming and event planning committees, helping with event set-up and participating in IRC general assembly meetings. I realized that I had the ability to make a difference at NC State though IRC, and that motivated me to run for an executive board position.

My second year in IRC, I served as the vice president of business. I coordinated fundraisers for incoming residents, including loft, carpet and care package sales. I served in many different roles as a member of the executive board. I gained valuable experience working in a team environment. I also helped plan NC State's first Silent Disco. At the end of that year, I was elected president and began working with a newly elected executive board to make NC State's residential life even better.

As IRC president, I oversaw many projects implemented for the residents of NC State. In the past year, IRC worked to expand the 24-hour visitation policy in the halls and gave feedback on the Centennial Campus housing project, dining, transportation and more. I also participated in conversations about plans for the new Talley Student Center and the new Hunt Library on Centennial Campus. IRC planned several of our own events, including another Silent Disco, and worked with organizations such as Student Government and the Union Activities Board to plan campus-wide events. Thanks to IRC, I was able to make a real difference at NC State. I'll soon be able to visit campus as an alumna and point to projects I had a direct impact on.

I won't have a fourth year in IRC or at NC State, as I am graduating a full year ahead of schedule, but I'm so thankful for everything this school has given me. The advice most freshmen get is to get involved. They are told that is how they will get the most out of their college experience. There is a lot of truth in that; for me, I got a lot out of college because I gave a lot. I worked hard here and it made me a better person – and not just in the classroom. If you give a lot to this place, you'll get a lot back. NC State gave me the best college experience I could've asked for, and because of that, I will bleed red and white for life.