At the Crossroads

This past year at North Carolina State University was one of the most exciting in our history. We celebrated the completion of a $1 billion capital campaign that is fueling the creation of new labs and classrooms and underwriting important faculty research in clean energy, educational innovation, science and technology, and health and nutrition.

We embarked on an ambitious "Year of Energy," and launched a collaborative effort, funded by the National Science Foundation, to remake the nation's power grid to tap into solar, wind and other alternative energy sources. We strengthened our state's economic foundation, developing programs to educate a 21st century workforce in high-growth fields such as advanced analytics, biomanufacturing, nonwoven fabrics and nanotechnology. We celebrated the many accomplishments of our faculty, staff, students and alumni, including the work of our former colleague and alumnus, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, and our Olympic gold medal winner in swimming, Cullen Jones.

And so, we're pleased to present highlights from the 2008 Chancellor's Report, looking back on a challenging, eventful year, and looking forward to 2009 with optimism and confidence.