Thx U Chancellor and Susan Woodson
It's been a great 14+ years for Chancellor Woodson at NC State ... made most special by his wonderful partner and wife Susan ... appreciate ya'll! Kelli Darlin and I were invited to the 2024 College of Engineering Distinguished Alumni Dinner. It was at The Stateview Hotel in Raleigh, NC on Centinnial Campus of NC State University. The background is in this article Brown, Doaks and Miller receive 2024 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award HERE.
Here's what I had to say:
First let me say “thank you” to everyone in this room who has helped NC State become what it is today. It’s an honor to be recognized with Lane Miller and Tracy Doaks … thank you both for your continued support of the College of Engineering.
Second, Kelli … you must know how much I appreciate your support of all things Wolfpack.
I have been asked to say just a “few words” … and was given specific instructions to keep it between 3-5 mins. I’ve practiced and Kelli timed me so I can spend every second thanking Chancellor Woodson and his wife Susan Wynne Woodson.
The Woodson’s are wonderful folks who have been the “power plant” for State’s remarkable growth over the past 14+ years. Their commitment to our students, our state and beyond … is why the Brown Family remains invested in this exceptional University.
Since coming to Raleigh, Susan and Randy have made us feel apart of Wolfpack Nation with every personal interaction, social media post, and published article.
However, it’s not been all smooth sailing. The Woodsons have been at the helm of this institution during some very turbulent times, including:
- Attacks on the rights of women (see graph below) the queer community, and other marginalized North Carolina citizens;
- NCAA turmoil including NIL/Transfer Portal and realignment … that put TX & CA schools in the Atlantic Coast Conference; AND
- Mounting fiscal and facility demands here on campus … just to name a few.
Despite these many distractions, Chancellor Woodson at NC State has demonstrated a unique ability to keep us focused on the mission while weathering these storms.
STATISTICS 101: Any statistical bias in the political game created in 1776?
Let me highlight just a few traits of “the Woodson duo” that put NC State on the list of world-class academic institution.
Most importantly, their STUDENT FIRST MINDSET – if you had the chance to read about Chancellor Woodson at NC STATE magazine, the entire “Lighting it Red for Randy” edition chronicles their laser focus on student success. Whether it’s R&D with pyro-man or dinosaurs, buildings, or investments in faculty … it’s all about supporting our students.
Secondly, their ALL STAR TEAM – Chancellor Woodson has surrounded himself with exceptional humans dedicated to the mission of NC State. Folks like Ken Tate, Buzzy Correll, Dean Dannels, Sarah Langer Hall, Dr Ormond, Alan Taylor and many others who have dedicated their careers to this wonderful University.
Lastly, their IMPACT – Susan & Randy have Inspired Integrative Sciences & Innovation with Integrity & Inclusion that will have a long-lasting impact on campus. Most of us here are deeply engaged with NC State because of the Woodsons’ love, magical powers, and super-hero strength to has built this community we call Wolfpack Nation.
Thank you Susan & Chancellor Woodson. Thank you all. GoPack!
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Tony McLean Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from North Carolina State University in 1983. He also holds an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.
For almost 35 years, Brown has been a principal with the Public Consulting Group (PCG). Serving public sector clients in all 50 states, Canada, Poland and Australia, PCG is a general management consulting firm in health care, human services, education and technology consulting.
The Brown family proudly supports the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ MFA Creative Writing Program and the College of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science. They are lifetime members of the Wolfpack Club and Alumni Association. Tony served on the National Advisory Board of the Institute for Emerging Issues, and his son Miles Brown ’14 is currently serving on the board. His daughter Julia Brown ’18 was a Wolfpack volleyball player who is currently playing for League One Volleyball (LOVB).
Brown wrote Happy Guide to a Short Life in 2007 in response to a book written by Pulitzer Prize winner Anna Quindlen. Philanthropic efforts from this literary collaboration have generated more than $2 million in donations to over 500 charities/non-profit organizations across the globe, nation and state of North Carolina. Most recently, the Happy Guide community helped raise awareness and over $672,000 for victims of Hurricane Helene.
HERE'S TODAY'S VID-CLIP:
Tony McLean Brown
A Western NC hillbilly through and through, Tony McLean Brown was born in the small town of Enka-Candler outside of Asheville. His parents re-named him when he was 3 years old to Tony (a nickname provided by his grandfather) McLean (middle name of his Uncle Michael) while retaining his legal surname Brown.
Throughout his career, Tony McLean Brown worked as a farmer, computer programmer, and management consultant – in his adventurous years – author, song-writer, bass player, poet, pilot, mountaineer, certified scuba diver, and competitor in professional bull riding, NASCAR late model racing, Toughman boxing, Crossfit Open, Ironman, pole vaulting, marathon and ultra-marathon running, as well as parenting.
www.HappyGuidetoaShortLife.com has been leveraged to help charities and non-profits across the globe, USA, NC, and Lake Norman area. If you, your family, school, church, or charity has been supported, please take the time to share, like, subscribe, comment, and provide a 5 star review!