2012

Oct 23, 2012

Educating for Energy Security

Political Science Prof Bill Boettcher gives students a rigorous education about a pressing challenge of the 21st century: energy security. This spring, his students' research took them out of the classroom and into a simulated session where they acted the parts of world energy powers, to the halls of the Pentagon, and beyond. The students' experiences were made possible in part by donations to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. 

Oct 19, 2012

CHASS Alumnus Has a Heart for the Underdogs

Jon Powell never considered going to law school until his NC State communication professor, Dr. Ed Funkhouser, mentioned that one of his other communication students was taking that route. Today, Powell directs Campbell Law School's Juvenile Justice Project. 

Oct 17, 2012

Parenting is More Important Than Schools to Academic Achievement

New research from NC State University sociologist Toby Parcel and others finds that parental involvement is a more significant factor in a child’s academic performance than the qualities of the school itself. “Our study shows that parents need to be aware of how important they are, and invest time in their children – checking homework, attending school events and letting kids know school is important,” says Parcel, who co-authored a paper on the work. “That’s where the payoff is.” 

Oct 12, 2012

Money Key Factor in Driving Med Students from Primary Care Careers

Primary care physicians are at the heart of health care in the United States, and are often the first to diagnose patients and ensure those patients receive the care they need. But NC State psychologist Lori Foster Thompson and other researchers have found that many students are choosing to pass up a career in primary care because those physicians make substantially less money than specialists, such as dermatologists or radiologists. 

Oct 10, 2012

North Carolina’s Linguistic Landscape Flourishes at the Fair

Beyond fried foods, whirling rides, and laughing children, a North Cackalacky fair goer will be serenaded by a clamor of different dialects. The fair is the perfect target for NC State's Language and Life Project to spice up the conversation about conversation. Stop by the exhibit and test your North Carolina dialect awareness, y'all. 

Oct 10, 2012

Alumni Profile: Sara Yasin

Sara Yasin is a 2009 alum of NCSU’s International Studies program. While at NCSU, Yasin was active in Student Government, the University Scholars Program, and the Caldwell Fellows program, and received the prestigious Mathews Medal upon graduation for her contributions to the university. After leaving NCSU, she completed a Masters degree at the London School… 

Oct 8, 2012

Andy Taylor Shares Political Insights with Alums

When some 170 NC State alums gathered at the Greensboro Country Club recently, they got an earful about politics. And they hung on every word. Dr. Andy Taylor, professor of political science and NC State's resident expert on American politics and elections, was the Alumni Association's featured speaker. 

Oct 8, 2012

German Professor Earns Top Prize

Assistant Professor of German Jonathan Wipplinger has won recognition for his research into blackface minstrelsy in German culture. "The Racial Ruse: On Blackness and Blackface Comedy in fin-de-siecle Germany" was voted as the best article in The German Quarterly (vol. 84) by the journal's 16-member editorial board. Wipplinger will receive the Max Kade Prize -- one of the most prestigious prizes in German Studies -- for his work. 

Oct 4, 2012

Ramping Up Suicide Prevention at NC State

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. Social Work researchers Willa Casstevens and Jodi Hall have received a federal campus suicide prevention grant that they hope will help change campus culture around suicide, and ultimately, change the statistics, too. 

Oct 2, 2012

Entrepreneurial Students Win Competition

Three NC State students took top honors at the statewide UNC Social Business Plan Competition for the nonprofit they created, Pennies 4 Progress. No small feat, considering there were 31 teams competing from all 17 schools in the UNC system who were challenged to develop business solutions to pressing local and state issues. Pennies 4 Progress won the $2,500 prize to put toward their business, along with free mentoring from TiE Carolinas and the North Carolina Small Business Development Center.