ALUMNI STORIES

CALS CLASS NOTES (Click here to send us your stories!)

W. Wesley Carroll '56: B.S. Agricultural Economics
For Wes's story, just click here.

Cheryl Clark '05: B.S. Animal Science
"I wanted to work in research. I am a Research Technician at Duke University where I work on mouse colony maintenance, PCR genotyping, and assist post-docs with projects."

Carlton Anne (Cook) Walker '91, '92: B.A. Multidisciplinary Studies, B.S. Animal Science, Poultry Science
"Law school (Wake Forest) and Business School (UNC-G for MBA). Met my husband the summer before my final year of law school when on an internship in South Central PA, moved there after graduation. Manage solo law practice. concentrating in municipal law, but also have an estates (wills, trusts, probae) practice and a real estate (deeds, mortgages, title searches, closings) practice. Also, represent parents pro bono (without charge) at meetings relating to the educational needs of their children (usually special education needs)."

Katherine Douglas '03: B.S. Zoology
"A love of science, particularly chemistry and a desire to make a difference in people's lives led me to pharmacy school [PharmD/MSCR Joint degree student at Campbell University]."

Debra Dorsett Hanson '80: B.S. Wildlife Biology/Zoology
"I am Media Specialist with the School District of Lee County Florida."

Kimberly J Eaton '91: B.S. Animal Science
"Unfortunately, a frozen animal technician position in the Vet School led me to my current job [Accounting Tech at NC State]. The budget freezes the University experienced in the early 1990's caused me to seek employment with skills I had other than those I gained through the Animal Science Department. With the job I had been hired for in the Vet School closed, I used my accounting skills to get another job within the University. I do accounting for a department in the University. With all the joys and headaches that working with the State entails, my coworkers manage to keep the environment wonderful and fun."

Jill Gambino-Oleary '95: B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
"I am International Voice Project Manager for Verizon Business. I started in an entry level posistion at Worldcom in 1999, just wanting some business experience, and ended up liking it and working my way up the career path."

Dana L. Gore '83: A.S. Applied Science/Field & Nursery Crops Technology
"I am a broker-realtor with Prudential Burroughts & Chapin Realty, Inc.

David Allen Hewitt '03: M.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
"I am a Ph.D. student at Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences where I do research and write papers."

Crystal Hicks Sutton '05: Agricultural Business Management
"I went to NC State University and Graduate with an AS in Agricultural Business Management. I met my husband at NC State and moved back to Greenville, NC with him. He too is a graduate of NC State. I worked for Wachovia for 1yr and a guy from East Carolina Farm Credit came in each week to make there deposit and we began to talk about my degree and where I went to college. When CALS had Meet and Greet at NC State I had spoke with there representative and at that time they didn't have anything avaliable in there office. Well a few weeks had passed and the guy from East Carolina Farm Credit came in again and told me I should take my resume up to there office they are looking for a new Customer Service Represenative. So I did and I didn't think anything about it, and they called me back in a few days and I had an interview and they offered me the job.:) I review loans, book the loans in the system, answer the telephone, provide any help to customers that come in, process daily payments, and file down any papers or files that the loan officers may need."

Michael Alvin Herbin '80: B.S. Agronomy
"I am self-employed as a farmer."

Ervin G. Humphries '58, '60, '64: B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Biological & Agricultural Engineering
"I am a retired professor at NC State."

Star W Jackson '93, '05: B.S. Poultry Science, M.S. AEE
"[For Duplin County Cooperative Extension] I am responsible for providing educational opportuntieis in the areas of Livestock, Forages, and Nutrient Managment to producers in Duplin COunty and Eastern North Carolina."

Sue Jennings '84: BS Horticultural Science
"I worked at a large garden center in North Raleigh soon after graduation. I started as a part time sales & cashier. I moved up to office manager, then assistant store manager and then finally in 1990, store manager. After working there ten years, I was hired at Wyatt-Quarles Seed Co. in Garner, NC. We are a wholesale lawn & garden distributor serving independent garden centers in NC, SC, and VA. I purchase over 100 lines and do all the receivng and logistics for our warehouse. Attending trade shows looking for new and inovative products is another of my responsiblites. As of this year I will be taking over advertising duties, such as promotion of our Dealer Trade show held yearly at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center."

Kathy Kenney Fields '92: B.S. Zoology/Pre-Med
"I am a Senior Certified Pharmacy Technician with FirstHealth Services."

William B. Knott, III '82: A.A. Livestock Management & Technology
"After graduating from State with a degree in Livestock Management in 1982 I worked as a field representative for several purebred beef cattle publications. This led to managing a herd of purebred Simmental cattle in Dinwiddie, Va. until 1989. The farm was sold due to the owner's health problems. I continued to have a small herd of Simmental cattle of my own after leaving my management posistion with the farm. A high school friend who worked for Dinwiddie County Sheriff's Office told me of an emergency temporary position as a correctional officer with the sheriff's office. I initally accepted a posistion with the sheriff's office in November, 1989 and still worked with my herd of cattle. I kept my herd of cattle until approx. 1993. I was promoted through the ranks of Dinwiddie County Sheriff's Office until my current posistion as a criminal investigator. I have held this posistion for the past ten years. I investigate all types of crimes and criminal activity in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. This includes taking reports, follow up investigation, collection and processing of evidence and prepairing a case for prosecution in court."

Anna Elizabeth Lane '02: B.S. Biological Sciences
"Through NC State I was able to complete and internship as a genetic counselor and in a special education class. I taught one year of biology after graduating from NC State and the moved with my fiance to Atlanta where I was a sales assistant at Banc of America Investments. After my fiance was transferred back to Raleigh, I was able to enroll back at NC State as a PBS student. I am currently taking classes that will enable me to get my initial license and my master's degree in special education. I am teaching a middle school student with Asperger's one-on-one in language arts and study skills. I am also teaching a high school student with learning disabilities algebra 2. While I am not teaching (at Trilogy School), I am observing other teachers in the school to gain more experience."

April Dawn Madison '05, '06: B.S. Agricultural Extension with minors in Animal Science and Agribusiness, M.S. Agricultural Education
"I was brought up in agriculture and anyone who knows me knows that I have a strong passion for agriculture. I have done just about everything you can do in farming and have loved every bit of it!! In today's society there are so many young people who do not know about agriculture and do not realize how important agriculture is in their everyday life. I wanted to be able to share that with the younger generations. I wasn't sure of how I wanted to go about doing this, but the more and more I thought and prayed about it, I realized that since I have such a strong passion for agriculture and a strong passion for kids and helping others then why not be an agriculture teacher? Agricultural Extension was also an interest of mine because I love animals and thought about becoming a Livestock Agent. I am an Agricultural Teacher for Randolph County Schools."

Melanie McLamb Harris '97: B.S. Industrial Animal Science, Agricultural Business Mgt.
"I am Resource Conservation Specialist for Sampson County Soil & Water Conservation District. Primary duty is to provide Sampson County farmers and other landowners with conservation planning assistance, incorporating agronomy, forestry, biology, soil science, and engineering practices to protect water quality, prevent soil erosion, and address many other natural resource concern issues."

Anita Marie Mayer '05: B.S. Biological Sciences
"After I graduated from NCSU I took a job teaching/ coaching at Hobgood Academy, immediately upon graduating."

Debra McpHail Bennett '91: B.S. Zoology
My degree allowed me to enter pharamceutucal clinial trials and then start my own business as a contractor. I Travel to various on-site medical locations to review clinical research data and management of the trials"

Deborah Kay (Montgomery) McGuinn '79-'07: BS, Horticultural Sciences (technology-Design), minor in Art Studies
"NC State University Research Laboratory Specialist; also owner/designer of Spiral Path Landscape Designs. Career path -- NC Baptist Hospital/Wake Forest Univ. Medical School, 7 years NCSU-College of Veterinary Medicine, 10 years Texas A&M University Medical School, 2 years NCSU-CALS-Dept. of Horticulture, 15 years NCSU-Col. of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, 6 months"

Wayne Thomas Nixon '77, '83: B.S. Agronomy, M.S. Crop Science
"Finished State with a M.S. in Crop Science. Later became a self employeed farmer. Also worked for the Cooperative Extension Service as an Agricultural Agent in Gates County. Later became a Regional Agronomist in the Elizabeth City area. Also continue to farm.As Regional Agronomist, I represent the Agronomic Division of NCDA in the Northeast part of N.C. I work from my home and also travel to growers and users of the services we provide (Soil Testing, Waste/Solution/Plant Analysis and Nematode Sampling). A wonderful job."

Milton B Parker Jr. '77: B.S. Horticultural Science/Minor in Plant Pathology, Master of Agriculture
"Instructional Director for Robeson Regional Biotech Education Consortium with 27 years experience as a commercial horticulture agent working in Columbus , Robeson and Brunswick counties. Knowledge and contacts in all these counties. Respected for accomplishments and assistance to area growers particularly in fruits , vegetables and specialty crops. I am responsible for facilitating educational efforts as part of a team to assist in the establishment of biotechnology and agricultural biotechnology in the Public Schools of Robeson County. Thia is a collaborative effort between the schools, Robeson Community College and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. RRBEC ( Robeson Regional Biotech Education Consortium) is attached to and supported by an National Foundation grant as well as the North Carolina Community College System BioNetwork and we are located in the BioAg Center in Lumberton, N.C. We have involved NCSU Horticulture Specialists in presentations that emphasize biotechnology in horticulture. So it involves the community college system as well as several North Carolina Universities. I am very grateful for the time I spent at NCSU, Very fond memories."

Vanessa Rising '93, '07: B.S. Food Science, M.S. Microbiology
"I am Optimization Engineer for Novozymes. I currently am responsible for process development in both 20L and production scale. I have lead both local and global fermentation optimization projects that involved personnel from all of Novozymes major production sites."

Sharon Rowe Freeman '82, '07: M.S. and Ph.D. Nutrition
"I have been at the Metabolism Educational Unit since I completed my MS in Ruminant Nutrition in '82. I have loved every minute of it! I manage a research "farm" where nutrition research projects involving cattle, sheep, and meat goats are underway most of the year. No two days are alike. I have great co-workers and the faculty PIs I work for are a tremendous group of individuals. I oversee the research projects for 5-6 faculty and their graduate students and I assist with teaching labs at my unit. We have a variety of animal care responsibilities and we are pretty much like a farm in that we do much of our own maintenance and vet care. It's an exciting place to work, even though environment conditions can get rough in the summer and winter and despite the fact that animals like to eat 7d a week and 365d a year!"

Sherrye Lee Royal '87: B.S. Biology
"I am Chemistry Coordinator for Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital. My career path -- Medical technologist - generalist for approx 2 years Blood Bank Supervisor - 7 years Resigned position to work part time for 3.5 years returned to full time medical technologist generalist - 1.5 years promoted to Chemistry Coordinator I have also been the primary responsible person in the lab for maintaining and updating the lab information system. Our hospital is approved for approximately 100 beds and has moderately busy outpatient and emergency room areas. As Chemistry Coordinator, I am responsible for: writing area policies and procedures -compiling, analyzing and reporting quality control statistics -implementation of new tests/analyzers when appropriate -instrument maintenance & maintaining appropriate records -Lab Information System updates -reporting appropriate results to appropriate govermental agencies -other duties as necessary to maintain lab accreditation -serving as CAP inspector -general lab benchwork and venipuncture -hospital commitees as assigned"

Angie Parker Vandemark '96: B.S. Animal Science
"Worked in Biological Quality department at Hospira for 7 years-Environmental Control lab-conducted enviromental monitoring of production areas; Data Analysis-conducted Formal Investigations for over action level environmental monitoring samples. I Review Batch Records, File samples and test returned samples for outside Customer complaints; conduct investigations to determine root cause and corrective action for the complaint condition."

VIcky Ann Peele '04: B.S. Animal Science
"I planned on attending Vet School [but] I was hired at GlaxoSmithKline right out of college. I work with marmosets in diabetes-related studies."

Christina E. Phillips "04, '07: Animal Science
"As University Farm Manager at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, I handle the farm budget, all personnel required to run the farm and all day-to-day farm and ranch management. The University Farm is a working laboratory which provides undergraduate students with experience in swine, beef cattle, and meat goat management. It also houses the only meat rabbit center in the state of Texas and demonstrates rabbit management and production practices. It includes over 650 acres of native brush, improved pastures, irrigated and dry-land plots, feed mill, rodeo arena and horse facilities, and a covered livestock pavilion. The diversity of livestock species, facilities, and land use provides many educational opportunities for students and faculty in the College of Agriculture & Human Sciences. In addition, the University Farm hosts several yearly activities involving local and regional youth groups, including 4-H and FFA."

Russell L. Sprinkles '96, '00: B.S. Animal Science, DVM
"I graduated high school from South Point High School in Belmont, NC. Attended NCSU-CALS and received BS in Animal Science with a minor in Agricultural Business. I then went on to attend NCSU-CVM where I received my DVM in 2000. Upon graduation, I went into private small animal practice as an associate in Gaston County, NC. I then left Gaston County for an associate position in York County, SC for approximately 5 years. Just this past year I returned to Gaston County where my wife and I opened our own small animal hospital (Grace Animal Hospital)."

Larry Wayne Stewart '68, '76: Dual-degree B.S. Agronomy and Animal Science, M.S. Soil Science
"After college, my career path was US Army, graduate school, large engineering firm, private consultant practicing soil science. I am president of Land Waste Solutions LLC."

Susan Turner Brewer '83: B.S. Biological Sciences
"Degree in Biological Sciences led me to the laboratory. The first few years were spent as a laboratory technologist learning many different technologies. This knowledge led me into management, which in turn led to a full time position in Quality Assurance. I am responsible for many aspects of the Toxicology Department, including Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Safety, and Inventory(over 2000 line items). This entails making sure our laboratory is always effiecient at turning out quality results in a safe manner as well as maintaining proper inventory. When changes are made, I am responsible for implenting them."

Jill Watjins '99: B.S. Biological Sciences
"I started out in clinical trials at Duke Clinical Research Institute as an assistant right out of college. After working in that position for about a year and a half, I applied for a Clinical Research Associate I position. Since then I have had several promotions and am now a CRA III."

Paula Denise Woodall '86, '98: B.S. Agronomy, M.S.M.
"I am Sr. VP/Sr. Agribusiness Development Officer for First Citizens Bank and Trust Co. I was Farm Credit- appraiser & loan officer 1986 to 2003. First Citizens Bank 2003 to present. Specialized in Ag finance the entire career. Serve as Agribusiness Development Officer for counties east of I-95 & primarily in the southeast. Responsibilties include serving all First Citizens branches in the southeast, meeting with farmers, agribusiness leaders, etc. and underwriting agriculture credit."

Edwin L. Yancey Sr. '56, '69, '82: B.S. Animal Science, M.S. Adult Education, Ph.D., Adult and Community College Education
"I am District Extension Director Emeritus. I was Assistant Agricultural Agent/Agricultural Agent in Johnston County, County Extension Director in Pitt County, and District Extension Director in South Central, Southwestern, and Northwestern Districts.."

Sweetheart Stories
Stories of CALS Alumni falling in love