Dorothy and Roy Park Alumni Center - Campaign for Excellence

History

The 2005 opening of the Dorothy and Roy Park Alumni Center marks a new era for NC State—one that will see NC State take its place as one of the country’s preeminent public universities.

A Distinguished Tradition

In 1895, members of NC State’s first three graduating classes organized the alumni association to connect alumni with each other and to support the university’s mission. During its distinguished 105-year history, the NC State Alumni Association has been a vital link between the university and its graduates, keeping alumni informed about NC State’s aspirations, goals, and needs. As it has involved alumni in university events, the association has worked to instill a sense of pride in NC State and a belief that alumni will always have a stake in their university.

A Strategic Vision

During the 1990s, the NC State Alumni Association developed a strategic plan to bolster the connections between alumni and the university. The Park Alumni Center is the cornerstone of this strategic vision.

Working with NC State leaders, the alumni association addressed some fundamental questions about the future of the university. From discussions with university officials and alumni association members came an inevitable conclusion—NC State and its alumni need a central place where they can come together, learn from each other and meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. The alumni association realized that there was no current facility on campus that would fill this need; NC State would have to construct a new building for the future.