The second annual NC State Health and Wellness fair recently took place on Wednesday to display programs and other resources students, faculty and staff and others can use to maintain a healthy life.
The Health and Wellness Fair, which took place in Talley Student Union, was hosted by NC State Dining, NC State Human Resources and NC State University Recreation.
Shannon DuPree, a university wellness specialist, was in charge of reaching out to vendors and inviting them to join other NC State Organizations to promote a healthy lifestyle. Over 70 on- and off-campus organizations and vendors attended the fair. Corporations such as PNC Bank, WakeMed Health and Hospitals and Dannon Yogurt were in attendance.
“The Health and Wellness Fair is all about raising awareness of the resources on campus and in the greater community that reflect emotional, career, social, community and physical well-being,” said Dupree. “We invite over 200 organizations in the greater community to come and join the Wolfpack on the path to health and wellness.”
NC State Dining, a sponsor of the fair, is heavily vested in making sure food and drink across campus reflects the dietary needs of students and promotes a healthy way of eating.
Makayla Miller, a second-year studying business administration, is a dining diplomat serving on the special events team for NC State Dining.
“Here at NC State there are a lot of resources for students to monitor what they are eating and even guides on how to eat,” said Miller. “There are nutrition guides, cooking guides, allergy and diabetes menus, and heart healthy tips, all accessible to the NC State community.”
Student Health Services emphasized hygiene as a way to maintain a healthy life, protecting people on campus from germs, illness and poor health.
Brandon Carroll, a first-year studying human biology, is involved in the Pack Peers program, which is designed for students who want to go into the medical field, to obtain experience within the Health Center.
“Student Health offers many services to the Wolfpack such as health, pharmacy, dental, physical therapy, women’s health and counseling services,” said Carroll. “Currently, we are encouraging students to wipe of all their surfaces, wash their hands, and be aware of the spreading of viruses around campus.”
NCSU Transportation is focused on the community aspect of health and wellness. The department is encouraging the NC State community to ride the Wolfline, bike, walk or take other forms of transportation rather than riding separately.
Sarah Williams, the transportation demand manager for NC State, wants the student body to know there are other forms of transportation other than driving.
“We want people to get active through transportation,” said Williams. “Through WolfTrails, the alternative transportation program at NC State, we try to distribute information such as the different greenways available and different bike paths, getting the community moving.”
Vendors also want the NC State community to get active and live a healthy lifestyle.
Spencer Anhalt, a business development specialist with WakeMed, discussed why the company is at the Health and Wellness Fair and how the NC State community can utilize the company.
“Part of our mission is we want to promote health and health education throughout the community, so we can become a better, healthier community,” said Anhalt. “NC State University is making huge steps toward becoming a healthier campus, and WakeMed will help students in achieving healthy goals.”
Students at the fair received helpful information in many different ways. Kendra Battle, a first-year studying life sciences, enjoyed the free giveaways and interactive environment.
“I liked the incentives of going and learning about a healthy lifestyle, because I learned more than I thought I would,” said Battle.
Students can learn more about living a healthy life on the Wolfpack Wellness website.
