Graduation is a celebration of not only this year’s class, but also the legacy of excellence that preceded those who now march across the stage and into their own bright futures. This year we celebrate the accomplishments of our 125^th Anniversary Class and also the 120^th Commencement exercises at NC State. From 19 students in 1893 to more than 5,000 this spring, our graduates consistently go on to transform their communities wherever their path leads. In North Carolina alone, NC State alumni annually contribute $2.9 billion to the economy, and their continued support is critical to the university’s expansion and improvement.

As campus literally comes to life this time of year, recent graduates and their families can be seen all over campus photographing the many places they will remember as part of their NC State experience. From Wolfpack Turf at Carter-Finley, to the Prowling Wolves and the Free Expression Tunnel, to the Bell Tower, the Court of North Carolina and the Brickyard, we look back on treasured memories made at each of these locations and feel connected to a storied past more powerful than any one of us. These locations and the memories they invoke enshrine the Wolfpack spirit, embracing generations of students who embody the values and ideals of institutional integrity and academic excellence.

At NC State, we discover the potential of the future by building on the success of our past. Rich in both tradition and innovation, it is our ability to integrate these two competitive concepts that sets us apart as the People’s University of North Carolina. It is with this same energy that our 125^th Anniversary celebrations seek to pay tribute to our historic identity within the contemporary context of an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

I wish you all a very successful and relaxing summer, and look forward to the fall when we will continue commemorating the transformational impact of 125 years of NC State.

Randy Woodson
Chancellor
NC State University

As a result of the strategic realignment recommendations I accepted just over a year ago, the provost formed the Academic Science Program Task Force in May 2011. The task force, made up of faculty representing all 10 colleges, the Graduate School and the Division of Undergraduate Academic Programs, conducted a careful review of the administrative structures for academic science programs at NC State, particularly in the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), Natural Resources (CNR) and Physical and Mathematical Sciences (PAMS).

The task force was challenged with determining the best ways to enhance the natural synergies between the science programs at NC State and to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and research while reducing administrative overhead. A final report was submitted to the provost mid-March 2012 and then distributed for campus-wide input.

Following a review of the task force report and additional campus feedback, Provost Arden delivered his recommendations to me on April 16, and I have accepted the recommendations. These resulting positive changes are a good step forward for NC State but will take time to put in place, and will require appointment of a steering team and implementation teams to initiate the process. The key points follow, however, I encourage you to read the provost’s recommendations as well as to reread the task force report for additional background and information.

1. The College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (PAMS) will be transitioned to a broader, more comprehensive College of Sciences. This college will include the physical/chemical sciences, the mathematical and statistical sciences, earth system sciences and the biological sciences. As part of this realignment, the undergraduate biology program will move from CALS to the new College of Sciences. The college will be positioned to provide much of the core of undergraduate instruction in these disciplines while building on NC State’s growing expertise and reputation in the quantitative biological sciences and the national trend in convergence science.
2. The Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Natural Resources will remain separate colleges. Dean searches for these colleges are well underway.
3. The development of cross-college horizontal structures (recommended by the task force) holds significant long-term potential to enhance interdisciplinary scholarship across campus. However, creation of these horizontal structures will be further investigated and appraised.

The most significant decision is clearly the creation of a College of Sciences that meets NC State’s institutional responsibility to provide efficient, flexible and dynamic academic structures that continue to support historic mandates while encouraging natural synergies between faculty and disciplines, including the corresponding move of the undergraduate biology program. Understanding that such a move requires careful coordination of people and resources, movement of faculty will be evaluated on an individual basis.

As the provost noted in his recommendations, any changes or movements of faculty will be accompanied by appropriate funding. Additionally, CALS will retain its name and maintain the life sciences disciplines and programs that best support its important mission and focus areas.

The new College of Sciences will be instituted July 1, 2013. Dr. Dan Solomon, Dean of PAMS, will serve as the inaugural dean of the new college. To prepare moving forward, the provost will appoint a College of Sciences Steering Team charged to recommend the most appropriate administrative structure for the new college and a process for identifying which faculty will move. The steering team will be comprised of deans or representatives from the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Natural Resources, Engineering, Textiles and Veterinary Medicine. The team will be asked to submit its report by the end of the 2012 fall semester. Additionally, implementation teams focused on budget, human resources, space and development issues critical to this realignment will be formed and managed by the Provost’s Office.

This strategic move brings NC State in line with national best practices, aligning related science departments in one college and allowing enhanced interdisciplinary educational opportunities, improved research collaboration and more efficient support operations. Some of the most pressing scientific issues of today lie at the intersection of the mathematical, computational, physical and biological sciences. Bringing these disciplines together under a single organizational umbrella is a transformative change that better positions NC State to advance these issues through multidisciplinary research, teaching and service.

This change also demonstrates NC State’s long-standing commitment to agriculture and the life sciences and will allow us to align our resources to meet the critical needs of the state and nation. Agriculture is a multibillion industry for North Carolina, and NC State will continue to be the leader in driving and supporting the state’s agricultural productivity. Additionally, faculty and students in several related life sciences fields will continue to thrive as part of CALS. At a time when food production, safety and related issues will only become increasingly important, this decision provides CALS the opportunity to focus on its core mission and become an increasingly relevant leader in vital areas of study.

The realignment positions the university to best meet the needs of its students, industry and society now and well into the future. There certainly will be much to keep you informed about in the months to come; please check the strategic planning website for updated information.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment and dedication to NC State.

Randy Woodson
Chancellor
NC State University

The roots of NC State can be found in the same kind of progressive thinking that is characteristic of our university today. A group of aspiring young men recognized a need that an institution focused on developing the state’s industrial, manufacturing and agricultural industries could fulfill. This unique group was known as the Watauga Club. Many of their names you see on campus today — Page, Polk and Peele. They knew an institution of higher education devoted to solution-driven education could greatly benefit North Carolina as a whole.

From humble beginnings, our students, faculty, staff and alumni have built a strong foundation of transformation and a remarkable tradition of public service to the people of North Carolina and the nation.

Today, our faculty are transforming the world, collectively earning more than 85 National Science Foundation career and presidential awards in the past decade alone based on groundbreaking work addressing society’s grand challenges. Our students are not only invested in their academic success, but also are giving back through service, recently earning NC State a spot on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. Our tremendous staff work tirelessly to uphold the integrity of the institution through unmatched professionalism, dedicated service and a commitment to efficient operations.

NC State’s past, people, traditions, transformational impact and very bright future are all worth celebrating. We kicked off the celebration on March 5 with the awarding of the Watauga Medal, an honor bestowed upon individuals who, like our founders, have made significant contributions to the advancement of NC State. But the party has just begun.

Join the Wolfpack Family as we celebrate our 125th birthday all year, beginning with a birthday party in Reynolds Coliseum on Monday, April 2 at 1:30 p.m. There will be music, games and of course, cake! We’ll also be revealing the winners of the 125th video contest.

We all have a unique opportunity to be part of a special time in the life of NC State as we embark on our 125th anniversary year. Join me in that journey as we remember the traditions of our past and celebrate our bright and transformational future.

Randy Woodson
Chancellor
NC State University

Before many of you leave for spring break, I want to take this opportunity to provide a brief review of where we’ve been this year and an update of what to expect when you return.

We’ve had an excellent academic year that has so far included a visit from the President of the United States, statewide and national recognition for our outstanding students, faculty and staff, and strong performances by Wolfpack athletics, among many other highlights.

On March 7, NC State turns 125, and for the next year we’ll celebrate the proud traditions and transformational nature of this great university. We’ll be marking this special year in many ways, including a campus-wide birthday party in early April. I hope you will take advantage of the many special opportunities over the year to have fun, learn and take great pride in being an important part of NC State.

The year, of course, is not without challenges. As we look to the future, we understand that funding will continue to be our biggest challenge. Over the last five years, NC State lost more than $125 million in state funding, which has threatened educational quality due to the resulting loss of faculty and staff positions, fewer seats in classes and a longer time to graduation.

In the face of these challenges, however, our community responded in traditional Wolfpack character: we’ve rolled up our sleeves and worked hard to ensure NC State continues to provide an excellent education to our students, strong service to our state and discovery that makes a difference in our world. We’ve streamlined business processes and increased efficiencies in order to protect our academic core and the student experience to the extent possible.

Two major parts of that response are the Strategic Realignment and the Strategic Plan, each launched nearly one year ago. Over the last year we’ve made good progress on both, adopting several improvements as task forces worked on additional implementation strategies. I encourage you to review the Strategic Plan one-page summary, available at http://info.ncsu.edu/strategic-planning/files/2012/02/ncsu-strategic-plan-flyer.pdf, to help guide decisions and actions moving forward. After break, provost Warwick Arden and vice chancellor for finance and business Charles Leffler will provide updates about realignment activities.

To help address state cuts, the UNC System Board of Governors recently approved a tuition and fee increase for each of its campuses. Given the reality of the state’s challenging financial situation, the board’s decision strikes a balance between addressing critical needs and affordability, and is crucial to ensuring NC State can continue providing the top-quality educational experience our students expect while remaining a very good value compared to peers.

These funds will be used at NC State to help offset budget cuts and improve the educational experience for our students by investing in faculty, expanded course offerings, academic support, student global engagement, need-based financial aid and graduate students.

A final note to our students going off for spring break: have fun, make good decisions, relax and get some sleep, but mostly – please be safe.

Have a great week, and I look forward to seeing all of you back here after break ready to take on the rest of the semester and kickoff our 125^th anniversary year.

Randy Woodson
Chancellor
NC State University

I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable break and that you are off to a great start for the second half of 2011-2012. Campus has been buzzing with activity as students, faculty and staff all settling back into the swing of things.

As our campus resumes its busy pace, the safety of our campus community is our highest priority. Last week, we realized just how important safety is to our community – and how well our campus can respond when presented with a presumed threat.

Campus police received reports of two separate witnesses seeing a student carrying what appeared to be a concealed weapon. NC State’s campus police are fully trained professionals who are credentialed and accredited like any municipal police force. They monitor the safety of our campus 24-7, not only responding to potential threats and concerns, but also working to deter and prevent crime, as well as educate the community. Their response to last week’s reports showcased this as they diligently and swiftly searched specific portions of campus for anyone who fit the descriptions provided by the witnesses.

While our campus police are doing their job, we have a Crisis Communications Team that is convened as soon as a potential emergency is reported. The team meets regularly to participate in drills so that it is prepared for threats to our campus safety. We recognize that communicating with the campus community in the face of a potentially threatening situation is extremely important. To keep our faculty, staff and students informed, we use e-mail, text messaging, the WolfAlert siren system, the NC State home page, social media and messages on about 200 electronic billboards to inform people of campus emergencies. During the incident last week, we employed several of these methods, including communication with media interested in reporting on the presumed gun sightings.

Last week’s event turned out to be a false alarm. The student had a toy gun as part of his involvement in the game “Humans vs. Zombies.” The game is a popular one on college campuses across the country and involves “humans,” armed with toy Nerf guns, attempting to avoid being tagged by “zombies.” In the spirit of the game and giving back, our students donate to charity some of the money raised by player fees. Working with the student organizers of the game and campus police, we issued new rules for future games – including carrying toy guns in the open so people can see that they are toys – and on ways we can better communicate about the game and its duration.

We live in a world where campus violence has become all too commonplace. But I’m proud of the professionals who responded to last week’s events. We responded quickly, we informed campus quickly via multiple communication channels and closed the case quickly after determining the source of the threat.

I urge our campus community to continue being aware of any possible dangers on campus and to notify campus police when in doubt. And I ask you to join me in taking pride in the way our campus manages safety, feeling confident in the people and systems in place that protect us from potential harm.

Randy Woodson
Chancellor
NC State University

Well, Dead Week is upon us! This beautiful fall is finally coming to an end in seemingly perfect unison with our academic calendar. From occupiers and tuition discussions to hosting the President of the United States, life at NC State continues to provide our students with outstanding opportunity for personal and professional development. As our students cram and athletic teams compete for championships and bowl games, I want to take a moment to share with you just a few of our many occasions and accomplishments.

Susan and I are thrilled to announce that The Point, the new Chancellor’s Residence on Centennial Campus, is now complete! Navigating our way through a sea of boxes, we are continually impressed by both the functionality and personality of our new home.  Dean Marvin Malecha’s innovative design  sends the world a strong statement about who NC State is and how we build a dynamic vision for the future on the steadfast foundation of an illustrious past.  Made possible through the generous support of so many, Susan and I look forward to the lasting Wolfpack memories sure to come at The Point.

The NC State delegation to Asia returned home after a whirlwind tour through Hong Kong, China and South Korea, where we strengthened important partnerships with leading Asian universities and corporations. International opportunities in industry and academia add new dimensions to our faculty and students’ global awareness, and our international alumni are eager to engage with their alma mater. We are proud of how these international partnerships enhance our capacity to drive economic and academic innovation.

Strategic collaboration is but one component of our strategic plan, a plan that builds on past success to provide our faculty, staff and students with unparalleled opportunity. Our main focus now is the cross-campus implementation of the specific strategies laid out in the plan. Be on the lookout.

This fall, our faculty and staff tailgate was a howling success as our employees put away some delicious food just before our football team put away Central Michigan. It was a wonderful way to show our appreciation and support for the families of those who work hard every day to make NC State so great.

We also announced the Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Fund to complement the world-class faculty we already have. NC State faculty will be able to fund research that attracts leading scholars in areas of emerging strength and high potential impact. Emphasis will be placed on interdisciplinary study to drive innovative research in health, education, energy and the environment, and safety and security, areas presenting the world with some of our most difficult challenges.

And for one last time this year, I joined students at the Park Shops Port City Java on Monday for this semester’s final “Chat with the Chancellor.” These “Chats” have proven to be an excellent opportunity for me to hear student concerns, answer their questions and solicit constructive feedback.  We’ll be setting the dates for our spring chats soon.

Through a challenging year, NC State has remained competitive around the globe and active in communities across North Carolina. With the 125^th anniversary of our founding on the horizon, I look forward to the new year as we continue our steady progress forward and celebrate our rich heritage and continued success.

Randy Woodson
Chancellor
NC State University

Susan and I are excited to be leading the NC State Delegation to Hong Kong, China and South Korea. The connections we build abroad strengthen the NC State community and enhance our effectiveness as a university. The delegation plans to engage alumni, corporate leaders and university officials to develop partnerships that expand the impact of an NC State education. Global awareness, as incorporated in goal five of the strategic plan, reinforces the student and faculty experience we cultivate on campus — an experience enhanced by the importance of civic and global knowledge, real-world experience and multiple perspectives. With more than 32 partner institutions and 44 different Memorandums of Understanding, NC State’s collaborative efforts in China and South Korea are imperative to meeting our strategic goals.

On this trip, we will meet with leaders of partner institutions and explore platforms for broadening engagement.  Through more than 65 established programs in 10 Asian countries, our students and faculty engage in global experiences and partnerships that provide exchange, educational and research opportunities in a variety of disciplines from genomics and biotechnology to entrepreneurship and mechanical engineering design.  But we must expand those connections to reflect the growing interests of a global society. 

Additionally, we will meet with alumni, who are eager to reconnect with their alma mater, and industry leaders, who are interested in textiles and the global supply chain, a very pertinent connection for NC State. We also will visit global corporate leaders such as Samsung to build partnerships that bring international employment to our graduates. As a research-intensive, service-oriented institution of academic excellence, it is crucial we dedicate time and energy to cultivating these mutually beneficial global relationships — relationships that provide NC State students and faculty opportunities for success beyond campus coordinates.

NC State faculty engage with international students in the classroom and laboratory.

But the results are not limited to our presence on our sister continent to the east.  At home, we benefit from the presence of international students on campus and currently have more than 700 from China alone. Many of these students are from universities we will visit. Like NC State, these universities are national leaders; and these collaborations utilize the strengths of NC State to foster economic development on a world-wide scale.

New forms and speeds of communication have brought us closer than ever to our neighbors overseas. We are linked economically in a way that requires a delicate balance to maintain the prosperity of all. But at the base of our connection lies our desire to create opportunity through innovation and education. The flow of knowledge and understanding between universities benefits all parties. So wish us bon voyage, Wolfpack, or more appropriately, 一路平安, as we embark on this important journey for NC State. As always, Susan and I are honored and excited to represent the Wolfpack family locally, nationally and internationally.

Randy Woodson
Chancellor
NC State University

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