Preparing for the Fall Semester

To the Faculty, Students and Staff,

Our campus may appear a little quieter this time of year, but the summer session is underway and the summertime temperatures have descended upon us.

Preparations for the 2015-2016 academic year are in full-swing and we have a number of exciting things to look forward to. In addition to the 4,250 freshman we expect, we’ll also welcome a number of new administrative staff. Dr. William Ditto joins us as our new dean of the College of Sciences. Dr. Ditto is a professor of physics and astronomy and is internationally known for the development of a new type of computer based upon nonlinear dynamics and chaos. Meanwhile, our searches for new deans in the colleges of Textile and Education are ongoing, and should be completed soon.

We’re also welcoming to campus Dr. Alan Rebar, who has been named vice chancellor for research, innovation and economic development. He is internationally recognized for his work in clinical laboratory medicine, and brings a long track record of success that will help us continue to grow our research enterprise.

Academically, a Memorandum of Understanding has now been signed for new NC State, NC Central dual degree programs. They are a B.S. in Electrical Engineering & B.S. in Physics.

We also have a new unit called University College. It brings together the First Year College, unaffiliated academic departments in the Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA), interdisciplinary undergraduate degree programs that are not currently housed in a college and provides an administrative home for interdisciplinary minors and certificates not currently housed in a college.

The UC provides a home for exploratory and transitional students, promotes the academic success of all students, including high-achieving students, who benefit from academic advising, tutoring, honors, scholars, undergraduate research and other UC high impact programs.

A new academic year always brings new and innovative experiences and opportunities to NC State and the 2015-2016 academic year is no exception.

I hope you are having an enjoyable and relaxing summer, and I hope you are looking forward to the beginning of the fall semester as much as I am.

Sincerely,

Randy Woodson

Chancellor