Celebrating
Achievement
his
past September, the university launched a new
marketing campaign, “NC State: Achieve!” to communicate the
many and unique ways the university makes an impact.
Among the key messages the
campaign communicates are how the university develops leaders for the
future by educating for 21st-century life and work; applies research discoveries
to improve the well-being, safety, security and quality of life of citizens;
fosters partnerships with businesses, communities, industry and government;
and celebrates our traditions, spirit of collaboration and diverse strengths.
That’s the kind of activity
from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences that we regularly report
to you in Perspectives. In this issue, we especially emphasize achievement,
as we bring you the latest news of our College’s teaching, extension
and research faculty, as well as of our students and alumni.
Caitlin Boon, our College
Profile, defines the word “achiever.” In 2002 she earned two
bachelor’s degrees from our College, in poultry science and food
science, graduating with a 4.0 grade point average. She served as state
4-H vice president, won numerous 4-H presentation awards and continued
a family tradition of being inducted into Honor Club. She was a Caldwell
Fellow, part of the N.C. State Scholars program, attained membership in
Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and Gamma Sigma Delta and was student speaker
at the 2002 commencement exercises. This spring she continues a longtime
habit of service as a volunteer at the International Potato Center in
Peru. Working there, she’s following in the footsteps of Dr. Ralph
Cummings, Dr. J. Lawrence Apple and Dr. Richard Sawyer, former College
faculty members who were instrumental in the success of the center.
Academic advisers play a principal
part in setting students on the path of achievement. In this issue we
feature three retired College faculty members who have stepped up to help
advise growing numbers of students who aspire to medical and other health-related
fields, as well as many of the undesignated freshmen in our College and
growing numbers of post-baccalaureate career changers. Dr. Frank Armstrong,
Dr. Bob Horton and Dr. John Roberts conduct the Emeritus Advisers Program,
offered through the undergraduate office in the Department of Zoology.
They’re the team that steers advisees (who come to them from many
major programs and colleges) to the required courses and activities needed
for acceptance at medical, dental, optometry and other professional schools.
A team of College researchers
is well-positioned for the achievement of mapping the tobacco genome,
thanks to funds provided by Philip Morris USA. The tobacco company will
provide $17.6 million over 4½ years to fund the project being led
by Dr. Charles Opperman, professor of plant pathology and genetics. Tobacco
is an important model system, and the data this project will yield will
be important to scientists working with many other types of plants. It
may also lead to the development of alternative products from and uses
for tobacco.
We likewise share news of
the development of a transgenic chicken by Dr. James Petitte and Dr. Paul
Mozdziak of our Poultry Science Department. This research achievement
of establishing a line of chickens carrying a specific marker gene will
impact studies of embryo development that could lead to improvement in
human and animal health.
Achievement for safety and
well-being of citizens is business as usual for the College. In this issue
we feature a complex training program, developed by food science and horticultural
science faculty to ensure the safety of fresh produce, that has been implemented
in 12 southeastern states. And we go outdoors with Dr. Karen DeBord of
the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences as she collaborates with
colleagues from the N.C. State College of Design as well as from other
UNC system campuses to achieve the creation of better outdoor play and
learning environments for children.
Reported in these pages are
the achievements of youth in 4-H competition and of our alumni, such as
new university Board of Trustees member Cassius Williams and Watauga Medalists
“Dub” Dickson and Tab Williams.
Join us as we celebrate achievement.
Dean, College of Agriculture
and Life Sciences
