On the Season 5 finale of the NC State Philanthropy Podcast, we’re joined by Lyndenise Berdecía Rivera, chair of NC State Alumni’s board of directors, to talk about her experiences with the university and why she chooses to give back.

Berdecía Rivera graduated from the Poole College of Management in 2006 and has gone on to become a consultant and digital analyst in higher education. Of all the universities she’s worked with over the years, there’s one particularly near and dear to her heart. That’s why she has chosen to give of her time, talents and even treasure in support of NC State — especially its Latinx community.

Learn how Berdecía Rivera re-engaged with her alma mater and what she’s doing now to help others find their place as students, alumni and friends of the Wolfpack.

Transcript: https://news.giving.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/04/5.8-Lyndenise-Berdecia-Rivera.docx.

On this episode of the NC State Philanthropy Podcast, we’re joined by Chuck Flink, director of the university’s Peter A. Pappas Real Estate Development Program, to talk about his decades-long relationship with NC State as a student, faculty member, volunteer and donor.

Flink is a two-time alumnus of NC State’s College of Design, where he’s currently a professor of the practice in landscape architecture and environmental planning. He is also an award-winning author, landscape architect and planner whose work has benefited communities around the world.

Together with his wife, Marjorie, Flink is a dedicated NC State supporter. In recognition of his contributions, Flink was selected as a 2019 Watauga Medalist, a 2006 Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Design and one of the original 50 recipients of the college’s Wings on Wings award.

Flink played a key role in securing funding for the university’s real estate development program, which was made possible in large part by the generosity of his friend, Peter Pappas, who is a College of Design alumnus as well.

To learn more about the Pappas Real Estate Development Program and how you can support it — especially on Day of Giving 2026 — visit go.ncsu.edu/designpod. If you’d like to hear even more stories of Wolfpack success, subscribe to the NC State Philanthropy Podcast today via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Podbean. Please leave a comment and rating as well to let us know how we’re doing.

Thanks for listening, and as always, go Pack!

Transcript available at https://news.giving.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/03/Transcript-5.7-Chuck-Flink.pdf.

On this episode of the NC State Philanthropy Podcast, we’re joined by Hyemi Sevening, assistant dean of philanthropy for the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), to learn how donors can partner in its life-changing work.

CVM is an invaluable component of NC State’s land-grant efforts, enabling the university to benefit animals — and people — across North Carolina and beyond. From training tomorrow’s veterinarians and ensuring the state’s food supply is safe to helping heal a beloved pet and much more, the college stands at the forefront of making the world a healthier and happier place through applied science.

Medicine at CVM extends far beyond emergency care for cuts or broken bones, though. Oncology, cardiology, neurology and other specialized departments diagnose and treat all kinds of ailments in all kinds of animals. Much of the research taking place within the college’s cutting-edge facilities also holds implications for human health.

As the only veterinary college in North Carolina, CVM provides an extraordinary philanthropic opportunity. Donors can benefit CVM’s students, faculty and staff through scholarships, professorships and programmatic support, as well as directly impact clients and patients of the college’s veterinary hospital by helping cover the costs of medical care. Whatever your veterinary passions, there’s a way to make your mark by giving to CVM.

Visit cvm.ncsu.edu to learn more about the College of Veterinary Medicine, and click here to learn how you can support its work on Day of Giving 2026.

If you’d like to hear even more stories of Wolfpack success, subscribe to the NC State Philanthropy Podcast today via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Podbean. Please leave a comment and rating as well to let us know how we’re doing.

Transcript available here.

On this episode of the NC State Philanthropy Podcast, we’re joined by Courtney Hughes, director of the University Fellowships Office, to discuss how it helps NC State students and alumni further their educations.

Nationally and internationally administered fellowships play an instrumental role in how Pack members Think and Do. Hughes and her office are committed to helping every applicant find the right fit for their career plans and apply successfully. These awards can also provide a major visibility boost to the university as a whole, elevating the value of an NC State education in the eyes of the public.

Listen to learn more about how they aid undergraduate and graduate students, and even alumni, in the search for invaluable academic funding.

Transcript available here.

On this episode of the NC State Philanthropy Podcast, we’re joined by Kerri Fowler, executive director of Parents and Families Services, to learn how her team helps strengthen and support the Wolfpack community.

Parents and Families Services does far more than welcome the members of each new student’s personal Pack to campus during orientation, although that is an important part of its work. Throughout a student’s academic career, the office’s staff seeks to ensure that family members and other key supporters have the information needed to help empower their students academically and beyond.

From universitywide activities such as the annual Parents and Families Weekend to special “cheer kits” created for students who remain on campus during winter break, Fowler and her team work hard to ensure everyone finds their place in the Wolfpack. There are plenty of opportunities for supporters to contribute as well, including numerous volunteer openings. The upcoming Spring Fling, scheduled for March 6-8, 2026, is one of them.

To learn more about Parents and Families Services, visit parents.ncsu.edu. If you’d like to hear even more stories of Wolfpack success, subscribe to the NC State Philanthropy Podcast today. Please leave a comment and rating as well to let us know how we’re doing.

Thanks for listening, and as always, go Pack!

Transcript available here.

On this episode of the NC State Philanthropy Podcast, we‘re joined by Debbie Acker, director of the Shelton Leadership Center, to discuss its history and invaluable work.

The Shelton Leadership Center was founded in 2002 by Gen. H. Hugh Shelton following his retirement as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A native North Carolinian and an NC State alumnus, Shelton chose to support his alma mater by helping it train and empower the next generation of Wolfpack alumni. A scholarship led to an initiative that ultimately become the center, with its mission to “inspire, educate and develop values-based leaders committed to personal integrity, professional ethics and selfless service.”

The Shelton Leadership Center is preparing to host its 24th annual Shelton Leadership Forum this Thursday, Oct. 23. The virtual event is free, with registration available until 8 a.m. that morning. The forum will begin at 9 a.m. and runs through 12:45 p.m.

To learn more about the Shelton Leadership Center, visit, go.ncsu.edu/sheltonpodcast. To register for the Shelton Leadership Forum, visit go.ncsu.edu/slcforum.

If you’d like to hear even more stories of Wolfpack success, subscribe to the NC State Philanthropy Podcast today via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Podbean. Please leave a comment and rating as well to let us know how we’re doing.

Transcript available here.

On this episode of the NC State Philanthropy Podcast, we’re joined by Eva Feucht, director of the Park Scholarships program, to discuss its application process, as well as how supportive Pack members make the selection committee possible.

We previously discussed Park’s history and how private support started, and continues, its extraordinary work. Now, we delve into how the program’s leaders, through the Park Selection Committee, select which of its thousands of applicants each year are awarded these prestigious scholarships.

If the last 30 years are any indication, the committee is doing a wonderful job. The program has fielded some of NC State’s most talented and hardworking alumni who have gone on to truly impact the world. Many of the Park Selection Committee members are also alumni who volunteer their time and effort to help choose the next class of Park Scholars.

To learn more about the Park Scholarships program and how you can help its members Think and Do, visit park.ncsu.edu. To register for the program’s biennial sPark conference, scheduled for Oct. 24-25, 2025, visit go.ncsu.edu/spark25.

Transcript available here.

On the Season 5 premiere of the NC State Philanthropy Podcast, we’re joined by Eva Feucht, director of the Park Scholarships program, to talk about its invaluable role here at NC State — and a milestone it’s celebrating this fall.

The Park Scholarships program was established in 1996 through the generosity of the Park Foundation, which was created by NC State alumnus Roy H. Park ’31. Following Park’s passing, his family established the scholarship program to commemorate his love for his alma mater and to help others succeed during their own time on campus. Feucht is one of those alumni, having graduated in 2002 as part of Park’s third class of students.

Other donors have joined the Park Foundation in supporting the scholarship program over the years, making gifts of all sizes to power its efforts. A new partnership with the Stamps Scholars program will enable even more Park Scholars to join the Wolfpack and then make a lasting impact on the world around them as NC State alumni.

To learn more about the Park Scholarships program and how you can help its members Think and Do, visit park.ncsu.edu. To register for the program’s biennial sPark conference, scheduled for Oct. 24-25, 2025, visit go.ncsu.edu/spark25.

Transcript available here.

On our Season 4 finale, we’re joined by Holly Hurlburt, associate dean of the University College’s Academic Enrichment Programs, to discuss the many high-impact experiences (HIEs) available to NC State students.

HIEs are a fundamental part of an NC State education, helping students live out the latter half of our Think and Do motto. From traditional study-abroad opportunities and internships to Alternative Service Breaks and research, Pack members have many options to take what they have learned in the classroom and put it to use in the wider world — for their benefit and for the benefit of everyone around them.

Hurlburt details the vital importance of these experiences and how Wolfpack donors and volunteers are helping make them possible.

To learn more about HIEs and how you can empower NC State students to take part in them, visit go.ncsu.edu/experiences. If you would like to hear even more stories of Wolfpack success, subscribe to the NC State Philanthropy Podcast today via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Podbean. Please leave a comment and rating as well to let us know how we’re doing.

Thanks for listening, and as always, go Pack!

Transcript available here.

On this episode of the NC State Philanthropy Podcast, we’re joined by David Tully, Principal Librarian for Student Affordability at the NC State University Libraries. Tully has been on the Libraries’ staff for more than a decade, and in that time, he has seen countless instances of philanthropy empowering NC State students — and faculty and staff — to learn, grow and succeed without financial constraints.

Private support impacts the Libraries in numerous ways. The NC State University Libraries proudly hires some 250 student workers each academic year, but tuition, housing and other collegiate expenses can still create challenges. The Libraries offers numerous scholarships to help these and other students, regardless of their college or major. The Student Resource Fund also allows the Libraries to make direct interventions in cases where students from across campus do not have access to the resources they need to be successful at NC State, and the Alt-Textbook Project helps lessen the cost of various course materials — all of this and more is made possible with help from generous Wolfpack donors.

For more information about the NC State University Libraries, visit lib.ncsu.edu, and visit go.ncsu.edu/librarypodcast to learn more about how you can support the Libraries on Day of Giving 2025.

If you’d like to hear even more stories of Wolfpack success, subscribe to the NC State Philanthropy Podcast today. Please leave a comment and rating as well to let us know how we’re doing.

Thanks for listening, and as always, go Pack!

Transcript available here.