Skip to main content

July 2020

Julie Swann speaking at a podium

Jul 28, 2020

All Systems Go

From her active research on pandemic disease spread to leadership as the head of the Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, A. Doug Allison Distinguished Professor Julie Swann thinks beyond boundaries and puts solutions into action to build a better world. 

exterior shot of Fitts-Woolard Hall

Jul 28, 2020

Opening the Doors of Fitts-Woolard Hall

Fitts-Woolard Hall hit another milestone July 24, when the College of Engineering took "beneficial occupancy." At approximately 225,000 gross square feet, NC State’s newest engineering building represents the crucial next step in uniting the college on Centennial Campus. The gradual process of moving in starts Aug. 3 for the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the dean's administrative office. Learn more about the building phase-in and ongoing fundraising opportunities. 

The NC State gateway.

Jul 28, 2020

Trustees Elect New Officers, Welcome New Member

Perry Safran of Raleigh, a former president of the Alumni Association, has joined NC State's Board of Trustees. Safran is a founding partner of the Safran Law Offices and a former Raleigh City Council member. He is a longtime supporter of the university, and is a member of the Peele Lifetime Giving Society and the Pullen Giving Society. He is a 2019 recipient of the Alumni Association’s Meritorious Service Award. The board recently elected Thomas E. Cabaniss as chair, Stanhope A. Kelly as first vice chair, Edward I. Weisiger Jr. as second vice chair and Ann B. Goodnight as secretary. 

the Poston twins posing in tuxedos

Jul 28, 2020

Small Town Values Inspire ‘Textile Twins’ Charles and Thomas Poston to Create Endowment

Life in Siler City, along with the similarly closeknit community at Wilson College of Textiles, helped prepare twins Charles and Thomas Poston '83 for successful careers in the textile industry. Recently, the brothers established the Charles and Thomas Poston Endowed Scholarship Fund at the college in order to create similar opportunities for talented students of modest means. 

Steve Marks leads Chancellor Woodson on a tour through the vet hospital as a dog receives care under pandemic restrictions

Jul 28, 2020

Marks of Excellence: NC State Veterinary Hospital Leader Receives Special Honor

After taking note of Dr. Steven Marks’ singular performance under unprecedented circumstances at the NC State Veterinary Hospital, past president of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Foundation and current board member Susan Ward and her husband Randy were moved to express their appreciation. They awarded Marks a Coat of Excellence, which honors impactful faculty clinicians, interns, residents or support staff members.   

Amy Grunden kneeling in wheat grown in a greenhouse

Jul 28, 2020

Grunden Named Assistant Director of North Carolina Agricultural Research Service

Amy Grunden, a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Microbiology, has been named assistant director for the life sciences for the service. As part of her new role, she will serve as a liaison and advocate for faculty and staff members. Since arriving at NC State in 2000, Grunden has led numerous microbial biotechnology-focused research projects; mentored early career faculty; taught hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students in general microbiology and microbial metabolic regulation, respectively; and advised dozens of graduate and undergraduate students. 

Matthew Byington posing on rock formations

Jul 28, 2020

Graduation to Vocation: Developing Testing Standards for Sustainable Materials

Matthew Byington, a College of Natural Resources scholarship recipient, plans to attack environmental issues at their source in order to protect the wild places he loves. 

wifi signal above the words Band-NC

Jul 28, 2020

New Grant Program Funds Digital Inclusion Projects Across North Carolina

COVID-19 is exposing the disadvantages faced by students and adults who don’t have access to the internet or computer technology. In response to this immediate need, the Institute for Emerging Issues, with principal support from the John M. Belk Endowment, is helping to launch a new program called Building a New Digital Economy (BAND-NC) to provide rapid-response community innovation mini-grants to communities across the state.  

C. Neill McLeod posing in front of greenery

Jul 28, 2020

Why I Give: I Believe in Continuing Education

Alumna C. Neill McLeod, who has been supporting NC State and the College of Education for 40 years, gives because of her commitment to the continuing education of adults and NC State's support of community colleges. She also gives to honor faculty who made an impact on her life. 

lettuce growing under purple light

Jul 28, 2020

Poole Alumnus is Paving the Future of Farming

Park Scholar and Poole College of Management graduate Daniel Malechuk is using the business management skills he learned at NC State to help change the way we look at farming forever.