Notable Alumni

Jul 7, 2015

Outstanding Young Alums

The NC State Alumni Association recognized two outstanding young alumni at its Evening of Stars gala. Award recipients Tony Caravano and Vansana Nolintha were Caldwell Fellows and both earned majors or minors in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. 

Jun 2, 2015

As Go the Tropics …

Alumna Sandra Harding (Ph.D., Sociology ’94) asks a deceptively simple question: “Is life in the Tropics getting better?” But don’t be fooled by the simplicity of that question: her quest for the answer, and her leadership as an economic sociologist, stand to change the world. Harding, vice chancellor and president of Australia’s James Cook University, chairs the State of the Tropics, a first-of-its-kind partnership with 12 research institutions around the globe. 

May 14, 2015

Poet’s First Book of Verse Wins Prize

NC State MFA alumna Noel Crook has achieved what felt like an unattainable dream: She is a poet, and a prize-winning one at that. Crook won the Crab Orchard Review First Book Award, a national prize providing up-and-coming poets with the opportunity to publish their first book. Crook, who earned her MFA in creative writing from NC State in 2008, gave her $2,500 prize money to NC State to support the MFA program, telling the university’s development office there wouldn’t be a book without John Balaban, the university’s emeritus poet-in-residence. 

Apr 24, 2015

Seeking Optimal Outcomes for Children with Autism

The brains of autistic girls appear to be wired more normally than those of autistic boys — and that can be both a blessing and a curse, according to Kevin Pelphrey (Psychology ’96), the Harris Professor at Yale University and director of Yale’s Center for Developmental Neuroscience. Pelphrey is the principal investigator on a five-year, $15 million grant from the National Institutes of Health that is investigating why autism is more prevalent in boys than in girls. His grant is one of the largest awards the NIH has given for autism research. 

Mar 2, 2015

Alum’s Think and Do Response To Children’s Cancer

Through Headbands of Hope, Jessica Ekstrom (Communication '13) embodies NC State's Think and Do approach to addressing challenges, even those faced by little girls who have cancer. 

Dec 22, 2014

English alum’s many hats: chef, TV star, commencement speaker

Chef, restaurateur, TV star and NC State English alum Vivian Howard served up a great speech during NC State's winter graduation ceremonies. 

Oct 8, 2014

Alums Get in the Game (Shows)

Our alumni get in the game. Literally, in some cases. Tensie Taylor ('09 Communication) appears on Wheel of Fortune this week; Josh Hager pulled in prize money as a contestant on Jeopardy last week. Who's next? 

Jul 11, 2014

Four Join CHASS Advisory Board

NC State's College of Humanities and Social Sciences has welcomed four new members to its Board of Advisors. All are NC State alumni; three of the four are alumni of CHASS. 

Jul 4, 2014

Chris Hondros is Remembered, Celebrated at D.C. Event

NC State alumni, friends and family gathered at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to remember Chris Hondros (English '93), the NC State alum who was killed on April 20, 2011, while on assignment for Getty Images in Libya. 

Jun 27, 2014

Philosophy Alum Creates Music in the Moment

Jeb Bishop (Philosophy ’89) is improvisational by nature. Over the course of his hugely successful career as a jazz musician, staying open to possibility has enabled him to do what he loves: create music in the moment. He has earned a reputation worldwide as a gifted trombonist and collaborator in free jazz and improvised music, forging partnerships with some of the most celebrated performers in the genre. And that philosophy degree? He says the habits of thought he acquired have served him well.