02.03.10 | Posted in 100 Days at NC State | 2 Comments

Campus Beautification & Circus Dogs

I attended a Chancellor Liaison meeting last week where students were talking about ways to beautify campus and “sandwich boards” came up.  I was thinking Subway or Quiznos, but the sandwich boards people were talking about are those leaning sign boards you see on campus.  All around campus in fact.

That day there were 40 sandwich boards around campus.  Or should I say, 40 sandwich boards around campus on the way to and from the TSC.  That’s certainly not the way to beautify campus.

I was impressed that our students were concerned enough to bring this up with the Chancellor and even more impressed when I realized the wanted to do something about it.  Just what has yet to be decided, but I thought I’d weigh in.

I’m all about simple solutions to problems and I think we could take two or three steps to improve things.  First, we ban sandwich boards from campus.  They will never look good and as long as we depend on them to advertise events and the like, they will be an eyesore.  If they go up and down as directional signage around events, that’s a different story, but they would be controlled by our transportation and parking group.  Up before an event to direct traffic, down once the event starts.  Pretty simple.  Campus police find sandwich boards on campus, the remove them.

We steer students to the Technician to promote activities on campus.  That’s what a newspaper is for, isn’t it?  Providing information.  I don’t know how the Technician is set up for advertising, but I’ve got to believe they could offer display advertising for about the same cost — or less — than the sandwich boards.  Technician newspaper boxes can be found around campus and once we get students accustomed to using the paper for this kind of information, the need for sandwich boards goes away.  Would also provide a needed source of revenue for the paper.

Video Kiosks and “digital signs” are already up, or are going up, around campus.  Most of the systems are controlled from a central location and they are designed to rotate information on a pre-determined basis.  So we figure out a way to use the digital signs and kiosks to advertise events.

I’m sure its much more complicated than it seems, but the sandwich boards have got to go.  I can see two on the corner from my window.  One advertising class rings and the other I can’t tell.  It’s laying on the ground next to some bushes.  They are both ugly and their ugly is contagious.  They have got to go.

Any other ideas from the audience?

And what about Circus Dogs? Well, I’m looking for a local troupe of circus dogs.  You know, little dogs that jump through hoops and walk the tight wire.  Things like that.  Planning for an event. Can’t say more now, but if you know of any performing dogs, please let me know. They need to work for kibbles, or close to kibbles.  Budget is small, just like circus dogs.

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02.02.10 | Posted in 100 Days at NC State | No Comments

Alumni Stars Part Two:

My first post regarding the Alumni Association’s Evening of Stars was so long it was a little overwhelming.  I don’t want to overwhelm anyone — just entertain and inform — so I’ve broken the original post in half.  Part two follows.

And be on the lookout for tomorrow’s N&O feature on the new NC State Chancellor’s Residence.

78 of 100  — yes I’m goig to count it.  It has been very busy lately:-)

Butch Blanchard:

Life is an amazing journey!  I am honored to be included among the high achievers recognized here tonight.  Perhaps my selection is more based on variety, persistence, and longevity, than upon singular achievement, rather like the Long Leaf Pine.

The Forestry Foundation has afforded me the opportunity to work in the support of the College of Natural Resources for student scholarships and other needs, and with special alumni who bring positive changes. The Foundation entrusted me for 23 years with the development, nurture, and growth of the world-unique Hofmann Forest, which became an asset of all-time highest value.

But life is really about PEOPLE.  I was proudest at a scholarship dinner when I counted 26 undergraduate and graduate scholarships funded from Hofmann Forest receipts.  I have benefited from knowing all 6 deans of the College – Eric Ellwood, Larry Tombaugh, and Bob Brown are here tonight.

The Development officers of the Foundation have been friends and co-workers – Ben Chilton and David Ashcraft.  And special Faculty members offered friendship and support through the years – Bob Kellison and Art Cooper.

Two other influences to be mentioned:  My wife, Peggy, who supports my various endeavors, and the huge benefit of being part of a Christian faith community.

A heartfelt THANK YOU! to the selection committee who made this night possible for me.

I would like to share a quote that has inspired me through the years. The quote was placed with a photograph of Dr. J.V. Hofmann, our first forestry dean, by Dr. W.D. Miller, author of a book of the first 40-years history of the Hofmann Forest:

“The measure of a man is the height of his ideals, the depth of his convictions, and the breadth of his interests and sympathies.”  This gives us all something to think about.  Thank you.

Dr. Cathy Sigal:

Good evening.  I want to thank Dean Solomon, the PAMS College, and the Alumni Association for this award, which I receive with deep gratitude.  My years at NC State are some of my fondest memories, filled with learning, summer internships, wonderful mentors, and friendships that will last a lifetime.  I would like to take a moment to touch on some of the highlights and express why it is such a priority for me to give back to the University.

Most importantly, you can’t put a price tag on teaching and mentorship.  In my case, I had many superb mentors in the Chemistry Department, starting with Dr. Forrest Hentz who taught my freshman chemistry 101 class; during my sophomore year, I was given the opportunity to work over the summer in Dr. Bordner’s lab on a synthetic organic chemistry project; and in my junior and senior years, I had the opportunity to teach freshman chemistry labs.  As an NC State Fellow, I benefitted from the mentorship of Dr. Gerald Hawkins, who was the driving force behind this incredible program.  The Fellows Program, now called the Caldwell Fellows Program, immensely enhanced my college experience through learning retreats and summer internships.

And now it seems I have come full circle by coming back to NC State to serve on the PAMS Foundation Board.  This experience has been a keen reminder of the central, vital importance of alumni participation in creating scholarships for students.  I have also become aware of the crucial role of alumni donations in providing general support for development efforts, allowing each College to enhance organizational capacity and pursue targets of opportunity.  These efforts ultimately result in the raising of more funds to support the College and its students.

So I’ll end here, and thank you again for this great honor.

David Holt:

When I left Chattanooga, TN to come to North Carolina State University, all I thought about was getting to college where my father, Bryce Holt, could not find out what I was doing.  Well I was wrong about him even caring what I was doing, as he was as glad to get me out of the house, as I was to leave.

Arriving alone on a campus filled with thousands of students, and not quite sure what I was supposed to do for lunch or how to get rid of my assigned nerdy roommate, I decided to stop by the College of Textiles that let me into this fine University in the first place.   As I cautiously walked the echoing floors of Nelson Hall, this crazy looking man stopped me, and asked me if I needed help.  His name was Robbie Robinson, and Robbie turned out not only to be my advisor, but quickly understood the gravity of his understatement about asking me if I needed any help.

What I learned about the College of Textiles my first year, and the balance of my four and a half years, was that the College of Textiles was and is a special place to learn and grow.  The Textile school is a tightly knit, finely woven, fabric of students and professors that care about every fiber that make up the student body and the school.

Both my parents and I were happy that I graduated from the College having a job where you did not have scotch with your breakfast.  What I quickly found out was that I was better prepared to handle my job than many of my non College of Textiles peers. The school had taught me how to learn and had created a desire in me to challenge myself and grow.         Over the years, those skills have enabled me to successfully adapt to the changes in the industry, with my career now focused on recycling nylon waste into products for the plastics industry.

Over the years, I have been very involved with the North Carolina Textile Foundation, the fund raising arm of the school. With an endowment of close to $30 Million, I am proud of how the Foundation has grown and the impact it continues to have on students, faculty, and the facilities.

I am fortunate to be involved with the College of Textiles, and the one thing that I know to be a fact is that a school is only as good as its Dean.  Our past Dean, Bob Barnhart and current Dean, Blan Godfrey, have been the perfect leaders to transition our school from the old world of textiles to the new and exciting world of textiles.  Our College is exploding with new technology, new labs, new professors, and new corporate partnerships under Blan’s leadership.

The College of Textiles is a wonderful and exciting place to learn, grow, and challenge the future, and I am honored and proud to receive the alumnus of year award from the College of Textiles.

Thank you.

Dr. Krista La Perle:

This is such a tremendous distinction and I first want to thank the Alumni Association; Dr. Sonja Steelman-Szymeczek, my classmate, friend and nominator; Dr. Ed Smallwood, our large animal anatomy professor who keeps us connected as Director of Alumni relations; and Acting Dean David Bristol for honoring me as the 2009 Distinguished Alumna for the College of Veterinary Medicine. It is truly humbling to be considered in the company of the other current and former award recipients. For me, this award is like the chocolate icing on the chocolate cake! I am so fortunate because I love my chosen career, one that was first introduced to me while in undergrad here, and then extensively nurtured by many during veterinary school. It is fun to go to “work” each day knowing that it holds new lesions and projects to advance the One Health Initiative, as well as new students to introduce to a fulfilling career in veterinary medicine and pathology. There are so many people, many of them here at NC State, who have had a mentoring influence in my life that there is no way to identify them all, but hopefully they know who they are. I especially want to acknowledge my parents, who join me here this evening from Vermont. They have made many sacrifices over the years to facilitate this journey that I get to be on, so my successes are their successes. I can’t thank them enough for their positive influence, and unconditional love and friendship. Special thanks as well to the support of the life-long friends I made at NC State who are here tonight to share in this celebration with me. Thank you again for this honor and enjoy the rest of the evening.

Bob Kennel:

I am deeply, and truly, honored by this award. In my two minute response there are just two subjects I would like to comment upon.

I knew Ronnie Shavlik in school. Back in 1954-1955, he was an All-American upperclassman, and I was a freshman scrub. Yet he had a combined courtesy and enthusiasm to teammates and competitors alike that showed the fine man he became. It is a thrill to have my name associated with his.

I have shared with the Shavlik family this picture drawn by famed sports cartoonist Bill Ballard. He did these special editions each year before the ACC Basketball Tournaments. This particular year 1956 he featured

Ronnie Shavlik and his broken wrist (the golden nivicular bone) in a barroom silhouette.  The rest of the league didn’t know which wrist was broken, and the cartoon reflected the highest respect that all in the

ACC had for him.

For me, this is as fine an honor as I could ever hope to receive, and I want to thank the Shavlik Family and the Wolfpack Club for my selection. Knowing the previous persons so chosen, it is indeed honored company.

I love NC State with a bright and  ongoing passion. As the first member of my family to ever go to college, NC State gave me an education, an encouragement, and an identity of which I could be proud. In athletics, I played under five coaches who are in the NC Sports Hall of Fame (Edwards, Brubaker, Sorrell, Case, Bubas), and I had two outstanding Nuclear Engineering mentors in undergrad and graduate school in Drs. Raymond Murray and Wes Doggett. That’s a great underpinning!!

Sports have always been important to me as well as academics. There are still some things I want to do for NC State including  coordinating  the current BASE (Beyond Academic Support Excellence) program between the Varsity Club under the Wolfpack Club and the Academic Support Program for Student Athletes under the Provost. We seek the support of all former NC State athletes to become involved in academics, mentoring,  and sportsmanship with current athletes. It is a slow cultural change.

Again, I want to thank you all for making me a very proud and happy person in this special way. And thank you for inviting my family who have also provided a great underpinning. Those here tonight are my wife Elaine of 47 years; daughter Phyllis Kennel UNC-G graduate who is on research staff at Duke; daughter Susan Bull an NC State veterinarian in Asheville; son Phil Kennel an NC State architect in the Triangle; daughter Robin Miller an ASU graduate on staff at Meredith;  plus several outlaws in Kathy Kennel an NC State graduate in Ag and Life Science Development; and Dr. Jeff Miller a WVU graduate doing stem cell research at the NC State Vet School. Finally my much younger UNC-G sister Jennie Adams who has just been named to the Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

Life is Indeed Good !!!

God Bless.”

Billy Maddalon:

“Thank all of you for your kind words and support this evening.  I would particularly like to thank just a few individuals who have supported, inspired, challenged and me over the years, making my service to NC State possible.

First, I would like to recognize Dr. Abe Holtzman, professor Emeritus of Political Science, who passed away last week.  Abe was my advisor, my mentor, my adversary and my reality check.  I chose State over Carolina in large part because of what he had to say to me during a campus visit my senior year of high school.  From there, he pushed me to get involved in everything on campus, from my fraternity to student government to the scholars program to the Legislative Internship program.

Years later I ran into him at an event for CHASS in this very room, where he told me that he had read that I was the president-elect of the Alumni Association.  I assured him that it would not have been possible without his mentoring over the years.  He responded with his typical (and brutal) wit:  “Well, just don’t screw it up and embarrass us both!”  I told him I would do my best and I trust he was proud in the end.  He was a renaissance man.

Second, I would like to thank Perry Safran.  Around 1996 or so Perry contacted me and asked if I would be willing to serve on the CHASS Board of Advisors.  I wasn’t even 30 years old yet and had no clue what that was but I didn’t want to admit it.  Perry seemed to sense my cluelessness and gave me a full run down of what I was being asked to do.  I agreed to serve.  That was the beginning of my life-long service to NC State.  Perry would later ask me to serve on a search committee to find a new Dean of CHASS, where we were lucky enough to find Linda Brady.  I’ll never forget a conversation we had at DH Hill Library, right before we were to interview the candidates.  I asked Perry why he had asked me, from among so many other qualified people on our board, to serve on the search.  I’ll never forget his answer:  “You get it and you’ve got it”.  Now, notwithstanding the fact that I wasn’t sure what “it” was, I was sure it was a compliment and it was confirmation that my talents and skill-set could be beneficial to NC State.  So thank you Perry, for believing in me, those many years ago.

I also want to thank my family.  My father and business partner Mark always encouraged me to “go do it” whenever State asked me to serve.  Without him covering the fort for me all those many days I was away, I would have turned out to either be a very bad volunteer or a bankrupt entrepreneur.  So thank you Mark, for always encouraging me to go for it and working harder than you had to make it possible.  And many thanks go to my spouse Brooks and son Jed, for all the many nights I spent away in Raleigh.  I missed school events, dinners, projects and almost always got home later than I said I would.  You never complained and you always told me how important my work in Raleigh was.  I couldn’t have done it without your love and support.

Finally, thank you to the MANY people in this room whom I didn’t have time to mention tonight.  While I am humbled to be receiving this very nice token of your appreciation, I want to assure you that my life is richer because of the time we’ve spent together and I’m certain I got more out of it than I put in, despite my best efforts.

Thank you again!

Dr. Carlton Blalock:

First, I’d like to introduce those who are here with me tonight to share this occasion.

From the day it was chartered in 1887 as The North Carolina College of Agricultual and Mechanical Arts it was charged with improving the lives of the citizens of this state,a charge unlike that given to any other institution of higher learning in North Carolina. It became the peoples University. Because of this, all of us have been grateful recipients of what it has  offered and our lives have  been better for it.

Almost  from birth, my life has been positively impacted by N. C. State. My mother was a member of her beloved Extension Homemake r Club,  for almost 70 years. It was her college degree. My father worked with the local County Extension Agents and  Specialists in applying the latest technology on our farm. Early on we added livestock to our row crop agriculture,enabling us to avoid some of the booms  and busts that inevitably comes with almost  total dependenc e on a single commodity  As soon as I turned 9,   I joined the local 4-H Club. Later I attended State 4-H Club Week on the campus of N C State, which reaffirmed for me that that was where I wanted to continue my education.

During my 31 years on the faculty, I was fortunate to work with some of the finest people in the world and I owe much of whatever success I may have had to them. So, each of you share in this recognition. . I loved my job. Partly because of the wonderful co-workers  and partly because I felt I was helping the University fulfill its mission of helping people  live  more fulfilling and productive lives .

I want to thank the Alumni Association for this award . As I look around at the other awardees and read of their accomplishments, I’m humbled to be on the same stage with them. I hope to be able to continue my support  for this great institution that has meant so much to me, my family and all the citizens of this state. Thank you.

Parker Overton:

Thank you, Thank you,   If it were not for a dog that I took in as a stray, I wouldn’t be standing here tonight.

Also, if it were not for a lady by the name of Chandy Christian, I would not be standing here before you.

Seventeen years ago, I had a sick dog that could not be treated at home by my local vet so he sent me here to NC STATE.

A few months later I received a phone call from Chandy asking if she could come meet me in Greenville.  She invited me to be on the NC State Vet Foundation Board on which I have served for 16 years.

Four years ago, I was elected President of the Foundation.  Usually that person serves for one year.  For some reason, they kept me for three.  It reminded me of the preacher who wanted to know how he was chosen by his Church.  The Deacon said,

“We really didn’t want a preacher, and you were the nearest nothing we could get.”  So, the next three years get very interesting.

Dean of the Vet School, Dr. Oscar Fletcher retired,  Chandy resigned and moved out of the State.  We had a new Dean join us by the name of Warwick Arden.  He was from Chicago via Australia.   He couldn’t understand my accent and I couldn ’t understand his.   But we made a good team and for the last several months Warwick has been the Acting Provost of the University.  During this time, many of us worked hard to obtain the funding for the new Randall B. Terry Small Animal Hospital.  I would like to thank my friends,  Senator Marc Basnight,  Representative Arthur Williams for their help in making Randall Terry’s dream come true and taking the North Carolina State Veterinary School to being the envy of any school in the Nation.

I received a call a few months back from Lawrence Davenport telling me how I had been honored by the University. I literally couldn’t reply to him. I called him back the next day to say thanks again and I had to hang up the phone.

I called my wife Becky, who was out of town at the time and told her. “I need to tell you something, first of all, I am ok, but I need to tell you this” I couldn’t talk.

I cannot stand here tonight and recognize all the people one by one that I need to.  If I do someone is going to be left out.

Therefore, if you are associated with the Veterinary School,  please stand so I can show you off.  THANK YOU.   I love you all.

I have a lot I would love to say tonight, but there is not enough time. There is enough time to say, I am deeply honored by what you have done for me. I accept this Honor on behalf of all my friends at the Veterinary School and on behalf of all my four-legged friends across the state.

I THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

02.01.10 | Posted in 100 Days at NC State | 2 Comments

An Evening of Alumni Stars and memories of NC State University

On Friday night, in the midst of a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow, the NC State Alumni Association Evening of Stars recognized 18 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the university, the state and the nation.  The recipients may well be the rocks that form the foundation of this university, but in no way are they islands unto themselves.  In every case, the relationships they built through the university helped make them the men and women they are today.

Their pride for NC State is evidenced in their comments.  While I don’t have comments from every one of them, I’d encourage you to take some time and read what this august group had to say about NC State.  They will make you smile, they will make you cry.  They will make you proud to be associated with NC State University.

Passion Rules!

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I’m proud to present the comments made by the winners of the College Distinguished Alumni Awards, the Wolfpack Club’s Ronnie Shavlik Award and the Alumni Association Awards:

Dr. Calvin McNeill:

I am honored, humbled and still amazed standing before you this evening,  and truly thankful to CALS and NC State for this award. I profusely thank all of you who made this possible. I especially thank  Dean Wynne, Chancellor Woodward, Mr. Peter Daniel and Mr. Scott Troutman for seeing fit to recognize me as a recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award.

Coming from rural NC- Raeford, which is located about 100 miles south of here- expectations were low. We were dirt poor, probably some of the last of the so-called share croppers.

I applied to only one college, and luckily got accepted. That was one of my best decisions, for NC State proved to be the nurturing environment I needed. I realized this further by actually spending a semester away from State at Howard University- only realizing NC State was the place for me.

I thank my family for its nurturing and encouragement; and also my NC State mentors, professors and role models. These individuals, the likes of Dr. Gerald Hawkins, the late Dr. Augustus Witherspoon, Dr. Tom Stafford, Dr. Banks Talley, my advisor Dr. Carl Lytle, and Dr. George Barthalmus. These individuals, some of whom have buildings named after them, dedicated their careers to developing students by astutely recognizing individual student needs, their strengths and encouraging them to succeed.

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01.29.10 | Posted in 100 Days at NC State | No Comments

Strategic Social Media Integration

We talked a lot, well, maybe a little, about social media during the Advancement Summit yesterday.  People are definitely interested and I think just about everyone is participating in this form of communications.

But man are there lots of questions.  How do you do it? What tools do you use?  How do you create, disseminate, control your messages?  How, What, Why seems to dominate the discussion.

Came across this list of things to do with social media on one of the sites I frequent; http://brandmindblog.com/.  Check it out.

1. Listen and educate internal stakeholders
   • Invest some time and energy in learning about social media.  Listen to the social web for sentiment about your company, and also learn from competitors and other categories.
2. Understand your audience and how they currently interact with social media
   • Using simple techniques and tools, learn which topics are important to your customers.  Find out how your customers are engaging with other companies.
3. Determine social marketing objectives
   • What do you hope to achieve with social media?  Are you interested in using it for customer service? To create a closed customer-feedback loop?  To provide product information?  To promote your products?  To build your brand?  Make sure that internal stakeholders agree on objectives and how to measure against them.

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01.28.10 | Posted in 100 Days at NC State | 1 Comment

Making change work at NC State University

The University Advancement retreat today was very nice and worthwhile.  Had a chance to preach the Passion Rules! gospel and talk about change.  Because the Passion Rules! portion was somewhat off the cuff, I’m just posting the change stuff here.

Hope it’s useful

If there is one constant at the NC State, it’s change.

Students change. Faculty members change. Courses and graduation requirements change.

Coaches change.  Even senior leadership changes…perhaps more than we’d like, but even in the really good times, things change.

Look at me; I’m standing up here before you because change happens.

We can’t do a lot about change and most of us don’t like it. We dislike change so much that we may resist it and that just adds to the stress of day-to-day life.  Understanding how change affects our lives can help reduce that stress and make change work for us.

Betsy Flanagan talked about change as it relates to campaign planning and advancement.  Who would have dreamed two years ago that the Internet would help Barack Obama raise more than $500 million for his presidential campaign.  About half of his donations were made online and the average donation…less than $80 a pop!

Now that’s change.

Just two weeks ago, who would have dreamed that your cell phone would help raise millions to help the earthquake victims in Haiti.  And at just $5 or $10 a pop.

Now that’s change.

Chancellor Woodward talked about change at NC State from a personal perspective.

As the glue that helped hold this place together for the past six months, Woodward represents change.  Professional change and personal change.  If you don’t think the Chancellor went through a lifetime of personal change during that short period of time, think again.  He was just starting to enjoy retirement when everything changed.  All this man has done since July is deal with change.

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01.27.10 | Posted in 100 Days at NC State | 2 Comments

Never screw up on a slow news day!

It has been a little hectic around here the last couple of days (I mean months) and I’m taking the easy way out on the Blog today.  Following you’ll find suggestions on dealing with the media.  I encourage you to share with your deans, directors and department heads and anyone else interested.  Really no magic involved.  Be yourself, be prepared, be honest, be …

Passion Rules!

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1.  BE REALISTIC

Time and space limitations

Think news value, not fluff

We need the press

They won’t go away

Understand the press (news values, local philosophy, key players, competition)

2.  BE PREPARED

Increase personal media consciousness and analyze the news

Understand the organizational structure of your media outlets

Keep up-to-date information readily available

Delay if necessary by asking questions (“When is your deadline?”), then do your homework and prepare a message

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01.26.10 | Posted in 100 Days at NC State | No Comments

Ram Roast? I thought it was a bar-b-que!

You have to love big rivalries on the college level and today one of the biggest in the nation is on center stage.  Rivalries bring graduates back to campus for the day, stir old memories and create new.  They bring out the passion in fans and you know how much I love Passion.

As a new member of the NC State family, I joined the Wolfpack to celebrate today’s rivalry. Started with the women’s basketball game where the Reynold’s Coliseum was really rocking then walked through the Free Expression Tunnel to the bar-b-que, I mean, Ram Roast.  Pride in NC State was everywhere and people were having a great time. Now this morning I figure some kids have pulled a prank on the student newspaper until I realized the name on the masthead, “Daily Tar Hell,” was a spoof and the stories too.  Good stuff.  Passion Rules on campus today.

Pay attention when you’re walking around today or at the game tonight, because the emotional branding I talk about all the time will on display in all its glory.  It’s this level of connection, this emotional connection, that we have to access if our strategic communications plan and our branding approach is to be successful at NC State.  We’ve got to connect with people on a personal and holistic level if we’re to imprint NC State on their psyche and we’ve got to do it day in and day out.  When the rivalry games occur, we’ve got to seize the moment to drive our message home.  It’s hard work trying to burn your message into someone’s mind.  Its even harder to make sure athletics is only a part of that connection.  An important part, but just a part.  Remember, STUDENT athlete.

The foundation is here.  Our students are passionate about NC State.  Our graduates are passionate about NC State.  The community is passionate about NC State.  Our government leaders and  politicians are passionate about NC State. They want us to succeed because it’s important for North Carolina that we do well. They want us to do good.

With a new chancellor on the way we have an opportunity to seize that moment and the work has already begun. And I’m not just talking about strategic communications planning and university branding.  I’m talking history here.  The work started about 120 years ago.  I’m psyched.  I can feel it.

Passion Rules!

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01.25.10 | Posted in 100 Days at NC State | 2 Comments

NC State branding ideas from 2007

From a report completed by Art & Science Group LLC. a few years back.  Some pretty interesting stuff.  What do you think?

The big issues that NC State should position itself as taking a leading role in addressing are:

• Producing leaders for the state, nation, and world
• Energy and the environment
• Health and well-being
• Educational innovation across all grade levels
• Economic development and social equity

Realize that this information was gleaned from several hundred interviews in early 2007.  From focus group research conducted around the same time and from “man-on-the-street” discussions on campus, in town, and around the nation.  Sure the world has changed a lot since then, but many of the findings could still be valid…couldn’t they?

I’m planning to post the longer report from Art & Science Group and others on the NC State Communicators NING site.  Probably won’t happen for  few days, but keep your eyes open.  The recommendations in the reports are great thought starters and I suspect that many of them will weave their way into our strategic communications plan.  In fact, many of them are already in the plan we’re following today around NC State branding.

Passion Rules!

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01.22.10 | Posted in 100 Days at NC State | 2 Comments

Remembering Abe Holtzman, one of our own

By Jeffery P. Braden:

Perhaps one of the greatest regrets I will have is that I never met Abe Holtzman. Professor Emeritus Holtzman died Monday (1-18-10), leaving an academic legacy that might surprise many who equate NC State with agriculture, engineering, and technology. Abe did none of those things-he was a professor of political science, and his career spanned five decades of scholarship and teaching. His scholarship shaped and influenced his field-and his lectures shaped and influenced generations of NC State students.

Although I never met Abe Holtzman, I know him. I know Abe from the alumni who pull me aside at football and basketball games and tell me about his class and the way he challenged their thinking. I know Abe from his colleagues who can’t hide their surprise when I admit I never met him, but quickly proceed to regale me with tales of his scholarly accomplishments and his stance as a liberal lion and stalwart defender of social justice. I know Abe from an alumnus in the Arizona legislature who called yesterday to express his condolences and tell us of the profound effect Abe had on him and his political beliefs-despite the fact his beliefs are so conservative he decries Senator John McCain as “too liberal.” I know Abe from legislators, judges, engineers, and architects, who run the gamut of the political spectrum, yet are united by a deep and endearing reverence for a man who challenged them, who demanded them not just to voice but to justify their opinions, and who never faltered in conveying and commanding respect.

Abe Hotlzman was the antithesis of our current culture, in which differences of opinion devolve into pseudo-political theater where the loudest voice wins. Abe used debate to bring out ideas, to push students out of their comfort zone, forcing them to examine cherished beliefs and grapple with prickly ideas.

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01.21.10 | Posted in 100 Days at NC State | No Comments

Even a diamond needs to be dug out and polished

I have often referred to myself as the head cheerleader for NC State University (a nice job to have last night in the RBC Center.  Go Pack!)  I’m proud to be part of the university and I want everyone to know about it.   I suppose that’s what you might expect from a dyed in the wool PR and marketing guy.   Despite their great work, many faculty members are not as outgoing as I might be and that may not do them well within the institution or among their peers in higher education.  At least that’s what Dr. Sastry Pantula thinks.

Pantula is Head of the Department of Statistics and President of the American Statistical Association and he and Steve Townsend (Director of Communications, College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences) have been talking about PR and publicity.  Dr. Pantula might not be the head cheerleader, but he recognizes the importance of individual recognition among faculty members and he shared that recognition with his group recently.  Here’s what he told Steve about a recent article he read:

Steve:

I enjoy reading Gary Olson’s articles in the Chronicle.  I have shared  the following with our junior faculty.  I appreciate what you and the Dean do with the Scope magazine and Scope Academy also.  I know the more I know about our faculty’s accomplishments, the easier it is for me to help make opportunities for them. Even a diamond needs to be dug out, and polished

Here are some common ways that new faculty members might begin to make themselves known in their disciplines:

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