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N.C. State conference a big "family reunion"

RALEIGH, North Carolina -- For the 62nd consecutive year, alumni, students, faculty and friends gathered for the annual "family reunion" -- the North Carolina State University Pulp and Paper Foundation Annual Meeting.

Between 300 and 400 were on hand for the Celebration Banquet Dinner, where awards and honors were awarded to students and friends of the foundation.

Jennifer Piercy, the foundation's executive director, said there is no greater joy than working with students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and friends who diligently challenge the status quo and shape the college's world-class operation.

"This is the highlight of the year for me, because it's wonderful to see students, alumni, former faculty, new faculty, so many people here together, and we really, really appreciate that every single person in this room is supporting our students and foundation," Piercy said. "We come together as a huge team and I'm appreciative of the teamwork."

Gray Carter, the foundation board president and an N.C. State pulp and paper graduate, noted that student enrollment is at an all-time high, and support for the foundation continues to grow.

"We have a lot to be thankful for and it would not happen without the involvement of our N.C. State Pulp and Paper Foundation Board members, dedicated alumni and friends, and the college, department and program faculty and staff," he said. "We are now celebrating 62 years of funding and developing leaders for the future. I find this venture both exciting and rewarding, especially when our hard work is so evident among our amazing students."

Dr. Mary C. Watzin, the Dean of N.C. State's College of Natural Resources, said that the Paper Science and Engineering program continues to boast a 100-percent job placement and some of the highest starting salaries of the college's graduates.

"Our Paper Science and Engineering program is thriving, and I am privileged to say it is one of the best in the country," Dr. Watzin said. "With a strong hands-on education, our students continue to advance our college's mission of providing cutting-edge solutions for the sustainable use of natural resources.

"I am so proud of our Paper Science and Engineering students, alumni, faculty, staff, volunteers and supporters," she said. "Your continued support of this prestigious program keeps our college robust and relevant in a constantly changing world. We are strong today because of the lifelong commitment so many of our dedicated alumni, donors and industry partners make to our program."

Dr. Med Byrd, an Associate Teaching Professor and Undergraduate Coordinator for the Paper Science and Engineering program, said the annual conference is like a big family reunion. With a total enrollment of nearly 200 students, "The Paper Science and Engineering program continues to be robust" and that the "quality of the student joining our program continues to improve," Dr. Byrd said.

Attendees of the conference also heard from Dr. Marko Hakovirta, the new Department Head of the Department of Forest Biomaterials at N.C. State. Dr. Hakovirta joined N.C. State from Stora Enso, where he was a Senior Vice President of Innovation and R&D.

"N.C. State and the Department of Forest Biomaterials have a great reputation of being a top research and education provider for the forest products industry in the U.S.," Dr. Hakovirta said. "It is truly an honor to join the department and to be part of this community. Our department is educating top talent to our industry and finding novel value added solutions to the current and future needs and challenges."

In addition to the annual banquet, a paper industry career fair was held at the Hunt Library on campus, there were several meetings and sessions, and Agenda 2020 provided an update on its work.

In October, papermakers will be returning to N.C. State as the 7th Annual Light Green Machine Institute Conference will be held at the Doubletree-Brownstone Hotel near the campus of NC State University in Raleigh, NC. This year's theme is Competing in the 21st Century.

The conference will be held the 16th through 18th of October, and during this 7th annual conference, industry professionals, academics, suppliers and consultants will gather to discuss the latest trends and ideas for improving the efficiencies of pulp & paper manufacturing operations.

"We're excited that the Light Green Machine institute is coming to N.C. State and that half of the gross receipts of the conference will be donated to the N.C. State University Pulp & Paper Foundation for student scholarships," Piercy said.


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