Making Your Career Recession-Proof

Last fall, as the country skidded into a deep economic recession, Rebecca Swanson read a panicky e-mail from an NC State alumnus. "He was a middle manager and in a heartbeat he had been laid off," Swanson said. "He had no job, no skills that were in demand, and two kids to support. So he turned to his school for help."

Ready to Lead

After a long, distinguished career in higher education, Jim Woodward found himself quite comfortable in retirement – a career choice that allowed the former UNC-Charlotte chancellor an opportunity to relax the days away (sans jacket and tie, of course) with his wife, Martha, and their new puppy. Then came a Sunday afternoon phone call from UNC system president Erskine Bowles, who asked if Woodward – whose teaching career began at NC State in 1968 – would be interested in returning to campus as the university’s chancellor. It was the only position, Woodward recalled earlier this week, capable of luring him out of retirement.

Saving History

In the dark and dusty recesses of Reynolds Coliseum, NC State's athletics history has been waiting for a crew of liberators. Its freedom is close at hand, as GoPack.com managing editor Tim Peeler, Wolfpack football wide receiver Donald Bowens, athletics marketing intern Blake Scher and others have begun to uncover everything from Bill Cowher's long-lost personnel file to 1930's film footage featuring NC State coaching legend Everett Case guiding a squad of high schoolers through the 1937 Indiana state playoffs.