RALEIGH (October 26, 2016) – Whether it’s creating flame-retardant fabrics or drug-detecting nail polish, protecting the power grid or introducing sweet potatoes in sub-Saharan Africa, Randy Woodson calls it a “think and do” mentality at NC State University.

“This is a place that wants to do things, that wants to build things, make things work – and that sets us apart,” Woodson – NC State’s chancellor since 2010 – says in the accompanying video.

“The faculty here and the students here are really trying to turn their science and engineering into solutions to real-world problems.”

NC State wants to use science to change the world, Woodson says.

“At NC State, we always want to be seen as a university that makes a difference – a difference in the community we live in, the state we support, and the globe.  And so what really differentiates us is that we’re working to solve real problems and make a difference in people’s lives.”

While NC State is proud of state support that makes it one of the most affordable universities in the country, Woodson says, the university also recognizes it must raise private dollars in an impending capital campaign to attract and keep the best students and faculty.

“We know – to be great, to recruit and retain the best faculty, to keep this university accessible to great students regardless of their financial means, we have to raise money,” Woodson says.

“So our campaign is about making sure that NC State has the resource base necessary to be great.”