Wrapping up the Academic Year

To NC State Faculty, Staff and Students:

The end of the 2014-2015 academic year is quickly approaching. As we reflect back over the academic year, it has certainly been one of challenges for the Wolfpack. Of course, challenging times bring out the best at NC State, demonstrated by the giving of others.

In the fall, donor giving boosted the university endowment to an all-time high of more than $884 million increasing it by 76 percent. Donors help fund new building projects and major programs, which benefit all of our faculty, staff and students. In fact, giving has increased to all colleges and units this year.

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences received the Khayrallah gift of $8.1 million to endow the Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies. This was the college’s single largest gift in history, the campus’ first endowed center and the world’s first Lebanese diaspora center outside of Lebanon.

Another major gift this year includes the Stephen P. Zelnak Jr. Dean’s Chair, NC State’s first endowed dean’s chair in the Poole College of Management, made possible by Steve and Judy Zelnak’s gift of $4 million. Another  important contribution came from the Wake County Board of Commissioners who provided $650,000 enabling the Gregg Museum to break ground.

One of the greatest triumphs of giving this year is all of the support received for the Our Three Winners Scholarships in memory of Deah Barakat, Yusor Abu-Salha and Razan Abu-Salha, who were well-known for their gifts of selfless service to the Raleigh community and abroad. In the spirit of helping others, gifts have been made from 31 states and six countries for a total of $106,000. These monetary gifts combined with NC State’s initial $60,000 have resulted in a total donation of $166,000 to honor the memory of the lives of the lost students.

Even though this academic year has had challenges, this year has been filled with gifts of time and service, which have made NC State a better place. I am confident that these wonderful character traits will carry on to the next academic year and to many years beyond.

Sincerely,

Randy Woodson
Chancellor
NC State