Donor generosity. An upcoming capital campaign. The dean’s birthday. All these were cause for celebration at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ 2002 Donor Recognition Gala.

College benefactors, friends, faculty and students gathered at the Nov. 3 luncheon at the Sheraton Imperial RTP, where they heard the news about achievements made possible because of philanthropy from individuals, groups and corporations.

And they heard about ways to keep up the good work — through “Windows of Opportunity.”

That was the event’s theme, illustrated by various depictions of the windows of Patterson Hall, on-campus home of the College. These windows appeared in poster and program cover renditions, while the luncheon audience got an on-screen preview of how each window will function as a graphic icon, something to click on when a new CD becomes available.

“‘Windows of Opportunity’ is our theme because the College offers so many opportunities to give,” said Dean James L. Oblinger, as he announced the College’s preliminary campaign goal of $180 million. “It’s our part of the university’s ‘Breakthrough’ capital campaign.”

By taking advantage of these opportunities for giving, donors enable the university and the state to continue to achieve, said Chancellor Marye Anne Fox, emphasizing the word “Achieve,” a new marketing slogan of the university.

“The spirit of achievement at N.C. State is reflected in the spirit of the people in the stands at our football games, but that excitement pervades through every area of this university, in the classrooms, our research labs, our faculty and students — and in the contributions of people like you,” she told the group. “When we look at the results of your efforts in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, I can think of no better example of how we achieve at N.C. State.”

She noted that in the last fiscal year, the College had contributions totaling $41.6 million. “This is not only a record for the College but also for any college in the history of N.C. State and a record for any college of agriculture and life sciences in the United States.”

Former state Agriculture Commissioner Jim Graham described the ongoing effect of those contributions as he appeared with two current James A. Graham Scholars, Jennifer Stamey and Eric Cline, in a “window” video. “We need more young women and men going into the field of agriculture,” Graham said. “We need to keep the best and cull the rest. We must not neglect the opportunities to support a scholarship endowment.

“You’re witnessing here what I’ve been talking about all these years. These two fine young people, educated at N.C. State, will now go on to serve the state of North Carolina. They’ll carry the message about the value of agriculture: You can’t read or write, you can’t learn anything on an empty stomach.”

Fox and Oblinger then presented three new awards to the College’s Outstanding Volunteers, Corporate Donor and Philanthropic Foundation.

The 2002 Outstanding Volunteers were Mozelle Costner-Parker, planned giving donor to the College and member of the Agricultural Foundation board of directors; Joe and Ginger Taylor, contributors of valuable beach property and co-chairs of the College’s part of the university’s capital campaign; and Norris Tolson, state Secretary of Revenue and co-chair of the College’s Walkway of Champions brick campaign.

Larry Sykes of Philip Morris USA accepted the 2002 Corporate Donor award for that company, honored for its $600,000 annual support to programs in the College. Lawrence Davenport, chairman of the Golden LEAF Foundation, accepted the 2002 Philanthropic Foundation Award in recognition of the Golden LEAF’s $1.9 million in support of agricultural research and extension projects at the university.

The final presentation was a tribute to Ruby McSwain, including a video depiction of the stages in completion of the Ruby C. McSwain Education Center at the JC Raulston Arboretum.

Referring not only to the center but to McSwain’s ongoing support of College programs, Fox said, “Ms. Ruby, what you have done has transformed the lives of so many at N.C. State and in the community. You show what a difference one person can make.”

McSwain then invited all in attendance to open a window of opportunity and help the College. “There’s hardly a family in North Carolina that’s not affected by the work at N.C. State,” she said. “I love everything this College stands for. It’s amazing all it is doing for the state. Just keep your eyes and ears open to learn the news.”

—Terri Leith