‘Think and Do’ In Review

Extraordinary Highlights

In October 2016, the Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign launched publicly as the most ambitious fundraising effort in NC State’s history. Members of the Wolfpack community rallied like never before to power us past our Campaign target of $1.6 billion, raising $2,103,932,120 in total to help further the university’s mission of creating economic, societal and intellectual prosperity for all. From student scholarships to faculty support, and everything in between, the Campaign’s impact will be felt for years to come.

Now, we’re looking back on the many stories of success and support that our Pack has shared and made possible over the past five years. This collection of videos and related content highlights just a few of them.

Extraordinary Highlights

Victoria Fuda

Victoria Fuda graduated in December 2021 with incredible experience under her belt thanks to private support. Because of NC State’s Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign, she is equipped for a big, bold future as one of the university’s newest alumni.

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Jakub Sciora

Centennial Scholar Jakub Sciora ’22, part of an accelerated bachelor’s/master’s program in the Wilson College of Textiles, will soon be taking his “Think and Do” spirit to one of the nation’s premier public industrial materials companies as he begins an exciting new career.

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Bria Cofield Wright

Third-generation educator Bria Cofield Wright ’16 ’19 has been able to continue her family’s proud academic tradition thanks in part to funding from the Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign, with her students also benefiting as a result.

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Natasha Olby

The Dr. Kady M. Gjessing and Rahna M. Davidson Distinguished Chair in Gerontology, Professor Neurology and Neurosurgery provides Natasha Olby with critical funding to better understand and care for aging pets. This distinguished professorship is one of more than 100 created during the Campaign to help the university recruit and retain top educators and researchers.

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David Hill

NC State professor and head of the College of Design’s School of Architecture David Hill ’98 ’02 helps North Carolina’s coastal communities adapt to climate change. Through the Coastal Dynamics Design Lab, Hill’s team is envisioning new ways for towns like Nags Head and Princeville to interact with their environments — and private support boosts their work.

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Lindsay Wrege

NC State alumna Lindsay Wrege ’21 is helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities gain meaningful employment through 321 Coffee, a company that she co-founded. With support from the university’s Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign and NC State Entrepreneurship, the Park Scholar created this inclusive business while earning her degree.

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Taylor Rhodes

First-generation college student Taylor Rhodes ’21 wants to take what she learned at NC State and give back to farmers in her community. Thanks to support from the university’s Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign, she was able to graduate debt-free and can begin impacting her family’s agricultural company sooner than would otherwise be possible.

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Derek Ham

Derek Ham’s work in virtual reality is helping him teach NC State students the importance of intellectual curiosity and inclusivity like never before. Private support helps faculty members like Ham push the academic envelope, including empowering people to experience key moments in the Civil Rights Movement firsthand.

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Meriem Laroussi

Meriem Laroussi ’22 came to NC State to break the mold and learn like only she could. Through support from the university’s Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign, she has done just that — and more — as a Fitts Scholar in Fitts-Woolard Hall, an extraordinary new place also made possible by the Campaign.

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Mike Constantino

For Mike Constantino, NC State’s Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign has been a deeply personal endeavor. Along with his wife, Lori, the Wolfpack alumnus and former scholarship recipient is working to help others learn, grow and succeed at his alma mater by supporting the Extraordinary Opportunity Scholarship Initiative and other efforts.

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Dewayne and Adama Washington

For Adama and Dewayne Washington, the question was never whether they would give back to NC State but how they would do it. These Wolfpack alumni were leaders in the university’s Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign, working to help others follow in their dynamic footsteps on campus and beyond.

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Vie Villafuerte

Vie Villafuerte ’22 got her chance at earning an engineering degree in the U.S. when her family moved from Peru so she could chase her dreams. The Goodnight Transfer Scholarship, created during NC State’s Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign, then gave Villafuerte the opportunity to complete that degree as a member of the Pack.

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Nick Drake

Nick Drake is director of NC State’s Jeffrey Wright Military and Veteran Services, as well as a veteran himself. With help from the university’s Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign, he leads efforts supporting others in making the transition from the military to college graduation and beyond.

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Elissa Cunane

Elissa Cunane ’22 is one of NC State’s best basketball players, but she stays just as busy off the court. With help from the university’s Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign, student-athletes like Cunane are empowered as leaders in competition, the classroom and the community.

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Ryan Unger

As an RA, Ryan Unger ’20 was always helping others, but when COVID-19 sent students home in March 2020, Unger found himself in need of help. After graduating and starting his first job, he made a gift to the same fund that he had benefited from, bringing his story full circle as part of NC State’s Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign.

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Gino Fernandes II

Gino Fernandes II ’20, aka King Gino, is a microbiologist-rapper who discovered his passion and career path while attending NC State. The university empowered this first-generation college student not only to graduate but also to earn numerous awards while advocating for other students during the Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign.

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Victoria Gallagher

Victoria Gallagher’s work in virtual reality technology is enabling NC State students — and others — to experience a speech Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave firsthand. Support from NC State’s Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign enables our faculty to collaborate across disciplines and with cutting-edge tools to further research and immersive learning like never before.

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