Alumni share College experiences during student recruiting events

Nearly 400 high school students and their parents sampled desserts, chatted with NC State engineering students and alumni, and learned about succeeding in one of the nation’s top public engineering schools during five recruiting events the College of Engineering held across North Carolina this fall.

The College organized the events — held in Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, Hickory and Wilmington — to encourage top performing high school students to apply for admission. The events have proven effective, with 80 percent of those attending previous events eventually applying to the College.

“The program gave many of the families who attended real insight into the College and to all the potential in the profession,” said Tom Laundon, a 1974 NC State industrial engineering graduate who co-hosted one of the events. Laundon’s son is currently a freshman engineering student at NC State.

Held from late September through early October, the events come at a time when high school students are narrowing their choices for college applications. NC State academic affairs officers find that by hitting the road and holding dessert receptions in students’ hometowns, they are able to establish personal relationships with students. The dean of engineering, Dr. Louis A. Martin-Vega, attended the events, along with alumni and current NC State engineering students.

“We want to show students all the great things that the College of Engineering has to offer and answer any questions they have,” said Kay Leager, the director of enrollment management for the College who helped plan the events. “The sharing of real experiences by College alumni and students at the events was a highlight for the attendees.”

Alumni told students about the lifelong benefits of an engineering education. Rob Burlington, an alumni co-host and a 1997 civil engineering graduate, told parents and students, “as an employer, I value the scientific thought process that engineers bring to our complicated technical problems.”

The events also serve as information sessions for parents, educating them about the important choices facing their children.

“Engineering is a good field to pursue even in tough economic times,” said Jim Wilson, another co-host and a 1967 NC State graduate in civil engineering. “Engineering skills will always be needed.”

The College considers new student recruitment a top priority. Attracting talented students boosts its academic reputation, adds value to the degrees held by current alumni, and moves the College closer to Martin-Vega’s goal of becoming the top public engineering college in the nation.

Planning is already under way for next fall’s events.

“Alumni and current students bring these events to life when they share their engineering experiences during these events,” Leager said. “We’re so appreciative of all their hard work and their support of the College.”