Gala celebrates College benefactors and 60 years of foundations success
Dean Johnny Wynne (left) and newly named N.C. State University Chancellor Jim Oblinger (right), congratulated award-winners (from left) Wallace Hyde and Jeanette Hyde; Charles Forrister of N.C. State Grange; John Steffens, Beth Carroll and Mike Lanahan of Syngenta; Mary Mountcastle of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation; Dan Warren; E. Ray Cope of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust; and Rick Smith.
(Photo by Daniel Kim)
(Photo by Daniel Kim)
More than 500 supporters, friends, faculty and students of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences gathered in November at the College's 2004 Donor Recognition Gala at Cary's Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center. This year's celebration was particularly special as it marked a 60-year milestone for the College.
"On Dec. 28, 1944, the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation was created to provide private support for teaching, research and extension programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences," said Dr. Johnny Wynne, College dean and host of the event. "Since that time, many other foundations and volunteers have served this College. Today we celebrate 60 years of success through photographs and music."
Then, to the tunes of Glenn Miller's "In the Mood," the Beatles' "Twist and Shout," and selections such as "Money Makes the World Go Around" from Cabaret, the luncheon guests were taken down memory lane through a slide presentation about the College from the '40s to the present. The message, as the show reached its final "Thank You!" slide, was that the College's success was all about its people.
It is estimated that since 1944, more than $350 million in private contributions have been generated for the College, said Dr. James L. Oblinger, university chancellor and former dean of the College. "Over that same time frame, we have created 477 new endowments supporting the College's academic, extension and research activities. In addition, those endowments, including current and deferred commitments, are now valued at more than $125 million."
Addressing the donors in the audience, Oblinger said, "Perhaps more important than any of these amazing numbers are the thousands of students that have been able to attend N.C. State because of your generous support; the many outstanding faculty we have been able to recruit and retain with your donations; the research and extension programs that have been enhanced, and many times created, because of your investments; and the many benefits the citizens of North Carolina have received, and continue to receive, due to your generosity."
Oblinger and Wynne then presented awards in recognition of individual and group benefactors of the College.
The N.C. State Grange, represented by its board Chairman Charles Forrister, received the College's award as 2004 Outstanding Commodity Organization.
Syngenta received the 2004 Outstanding Corporate Donor Award. Dr. Beth Carroll of Syngenta Crop Protection Inc. and Mike Lanahan and John Steffens of Syngenta Biotechnology Inc. accepted the award.
The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc. was named 2004 Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation, an award accepted by Mary Mountcastle, foundation president.
The 2004 Achievement in Philanthropy Award was presented to E. Ray Cope, former leader of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, in recognition of his support of the College's Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Rick Smith, Dan Warren and the Honorable Jeanette Hyde and Wallace Hyde won the 2004 Outstanding Volunteer Awards.
Smith, an Agricultural Institute graduate who established the Rick Smith Agricultural Institute Scholarship in 2001, is a longtime advocate for the College. He works for Reynolds America, formerly Brown and Williamson Tobacco Co.
Warren is currently in his second term as chairman of the N.C. Agricultural Foundation Inc. Co-owner of J.A. Warren & Co., he is co-chair of the N.C. State Feed Mill campaign and a member of the College Relations Advisory Committee.
Jeanette Hyde is former U.S. Ambassador to Barbados. She and her husband, Wallace, are longtime business and philanthropy leaders in the state. They served as Honorary Chairs of the JC Raulston Arboretum's 2004 Gala in the Garden and as chairs of the first fund-raising event for the Eastern 4-H Center.
- Terri Leith
"On Dec. 28, 1944, the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation was created to provide private support for teaching, research and extension programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences," said Dr. Johnny Wynne, College dean and host of the event. "Since that time, many other foundations and volunteers have served this College. Today we celebrate 60 years of success through photographs and music."
Then, to the tunes of Glenn Miller's "In the Mood," the Beatles' "Twist and Shout," and selections such as "Money Makes the World Go Around" from Cabaret, the luncheon guests were taken down memory lane through a slide presentation about the College from the '40s to the present. The message, as the show reached its final "Thank You!" slide, was that the College's success was all about its people.
It is estimated that since 1944, more than $350 million in private contributions have been generated for the College, said Dr. James L. Oblinger, university chancellor and former dean of the College. "Over that same time frame, we have created 477 new endowments supporting the College's academic, extension and research activities. In addition, those endowments, including current and deferred commitments, are now valued at more than $125 million."
Addressing the donors in the audience, Oblinger said, "Perhaps more important than any of these amazing numbers are the thousands of students that have been able to attend N.C. State because of your generous support; the many outstanding faculty we have been able to recruit and retain with your donations; the research and extension programs that have been enhanced, and many times created, because of your investments; and the many benefits the citizens of North Carolina have received, and continue to receive, due to your generosity."
Oblinger and Wynne then presented awards in recognition of individual and group benefactors of the College.
The N.C. State Grange, represented by its board Chairman Charles Forrister, received the College's award as 2004 Outstanding Commodity Organization.
Syngenta received the 2004 Outstanding Corporate Donor Award. Dr. Beth Carroll of Syngenta Crop Protection Inc. and Mike Lanahan and John Steffens of Syngenta Biotechnology Inc. accepted the award.
The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Inc. was named 2004 Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation, an award accepted by Mary Mountcastle, foundation president.
The 2004 Achievement in Philanthropy Award was presented to E. Ray Cope, former leader of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, in recognition of his support of the College's Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Rick Smith, Dan Warren and the Honorable Jeanette Hyde and Wallace Hyde won the 2004 Outstanding Volunteer Awards.
Smith, an Agricultural Institute graduate who established the Rick Smith Agricultural Institute Scholarship in 2001, is a longtime advocate for the College. He works for Reynolds America, formerly Brown and Williamson Tobacco Co.
Warren is currently in his second term as chairman of the N.C. Agricultural Foundation Inc. Co-owner of J.A. Warren & Co., he is co-chair of the N.C. State Feed Mill campaign and a member of the College Relations Advisory Committee.
Jeanette Hyde is former U.S. Ambassador to Barbados. She and her husband, Wallace, are longtime business and philanthropy leaders in the state. They served as Honorary Chairs of the JC Raulston Arboretum's 2004 Gala in the Garden and as chairs of the first fund-raising event for the Eastern 4-H Center.
- Terri Leith