NC State Rolls Out the Welcome Mat for Open House, Oct. 26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thousands of high school students, parents and teachers from across the state and region will visit North Carolina State University during the 1996 Open House on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Open House activities will begin at Reynolds Coliseum, where representatives from each of NC State's colleges and schools will showcase their programs. Students and faculty also will conduct tours and demonstrations in many individual departments across the campus.

Dr. George Dixon, director of admissions and Open House Committee co-chair, said, "Open House provides an excellent time for students and their parents to learn about NC State's academic programs, entrance requirements, financial aid and campus life. Activities will give prospective students a look at the exciting opportunities here."

High school visitors might choose to start at the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences' coliseum display, where one demonstration will enable them to generate electricity. Another device will measure their reaction time. Other "gee-whiz" math and science shows will be conducted in the Witherspoon Student Center Cinema at 9:45 a.m. (chemistry); 10:15 a.m. (physics); and 10:45 a.m.(statistics).

The College of Engineering has a high-tech "show and tell" experience in store for visitors. From the college coliseum display, visitors will head for Burlington Engineering

Laboratories for departmental tours. Points of interest include the nuclear reactor, sophisticated computer labs, a robotics center and a look at student-engineered projects. In the past, students have demonstrated their textile-composite electric dune buggy, a concrete canoe, and scale-model airplanes.

The College of Textiles coliseum exhibit will feature textile chemistry demonstrations and a display of the variety of textile applications -- from space stations to surgical theaters. Tours of the college complex on NC State's Centennial Campus will feature state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories.

In addition to an informational coliseum display featuring its 19 departments and programs, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will hold special interest sessions in 3712 Bostian Hall. Sessions covering the pre-medicine program will begin at 11 a.m., pre-veterinary at 11:45 a.m. The CALS Computer Lab in Williams Hall also will be open to visitors.

Other coliseum displays will highlight programs in the College of Forest Resources, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Education and Psychology, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Management and the School of Design.

NC State students will guide visitors to various scheduled activities, including Heritage Day at the African-American Cultural Center. Prospective students also will sample campus enrichment opportunities from the arts to athletics. Entertainment will be provided by the NC State Marching Band, cheerleaders, a dance troupe and other student groups. Also, the NCSU Libraries, Visual Arts Gallery, Bookstore, Craft Center, dining facilities and several residence halls will be open to visitors.

Shuttle buses will transport groups to the Centennial Campus. A specially equipped van will be provided for handicapped visitors. All vans will be boarded at Reynolds Coliseum.

For information, call (919) 515-2434.

--smith--