Chancellor Randy Woodson delivered his final fall address to the NC State community on Wednesday as he prepares to retire at the end of the academic year after nearly 15 years of leadership.
The address was held in Talley Student Union during Red and White Week and attracted a large crowd of students and staff, who gathered to reflect on the University’s achievements and bid farewell to Woodson.
Woodson began his address by discussing how dreams change over time. He said he has tried to serve NC State by helping students, faculty and staff follow their dreams through NC State’s community.
“I’ve come to understand that NC State University is a dream that we all share,” Woodson said. “It’s an idea that all of us are made stronger when we work together, hence the name Wolfpack. So special is that name, we get to talk about being a part of a group every time we mention our mascot’s name. It’s a belief that anything worth doing takes a Wolfpack.”
Student Body President Allison Markert, a fourth-year studying natural resources, introduced Woodson and emphasized the significance of Red and White Week.
“This week reminds us of the unique bond that we all have here at NC State, a bond that inspires us to give back, to connect and to grow together as we reflect on the past,” Markert said.
Markert said she hopes students look forward to NC State’s shared future.
“As we celebrate the fine achievements and rich traditions of our cherished University, let us look ahead with passion, curiosity and hope,” Markert said. “Together, we have the power to shape the future and carry forward the values of our University.”
Woodson highlighted what NC State students have accomplished over the past year.
During the 2023-24 academic year, five students received grants from the Fulbright U.S. Scholar’s Program to study abroad, 17 received graduate research fellowships from the National Science Foundation, three CHASS students received Boren Awards to study languages abroad and Katherine Traynelis, a chemical engineering major who graduated in 2024, received the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation award.
The University welcomed its largest incoming class for the fifth consecutive year.
Emphasizing NC State’s focus on student support, Woodson mentioned the University’s participation in the JED campus initiative, a nationwide program aimed at mental health services. He highlighted the creation of the Office of Student Life and Advocacy and the launch of the OnePack Empowered program in the last year.
Woodson said student athletes worked to make the 2023-24 season “one for the record books” at NC State.
“NC State was the only Division I school in this great nation to have football, baseball, men’s and women’s basketball all finish in the top 25 in their respective sports,” Woodson said. “And we became the third school ever to make the Final Four in both men’s and women’s basketball and to reach a College World Series in the same year.”
With eight faculty becoming Fulbright scholars and seven receiving the National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development Award, Woodson acknowledged the accomplishments of the University’s faculty and beyond.
NC State has also reached record levels of funding this year, including a new record of 22,000 gifts on NC State’s Day of Giving. Woodson said since 2010, the University tripled its scholarships and quadrupled its endowment.
These achievements have contributed to NC State’s rise in national rankings, with the University now placed 58th in the nation and 26th among public universities.
“The country is taking notice of everything that you do here, your ambition, your drive, the way you get work done,” Woodson said. “And I still don’t think you get half the credit you deserve. So I want you to hear it from me — this place is really special.”
As Woodson concluded his speech, UNC System President Peter Hans took the stage and awarded him the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, calling Woodson a “transformative leader” for NC State.
“We appreciate you so much,” Hans said. “We are so proud of you. We love you, all of Wolfpack Nation, and that is why it is my honor, on behalf of Gov. Cooper, to present to you the Order of the Long Leaf Pine — North Carolina’s highest civilian award — because we know you love surprises.”
Woodson said he was unaware that the award was coming and reflected on his experiences.
“I had no idea, and I know that they don’t hand those out every day,” Woodson said. “So yeah, that was special. … It’s been a great 15 years, so I feel good.”
