Page 46 - N.C. A&T Magazine Spring 2019

nearly 130 years of dOing

The university has been harnessing the power While some of those goals remain the same,
of do for 128 years, which led to it becoming the Preeminence 2023 added the elevation and
No. 1 public and largest HBCU in the country. It expansion of public service, community
continues to be a top three research institution in engagement and stewardship. The campaign
North Carolina. put A&T on the road to making the strategic goals
more attainable.
“There’s never been a better time to advance
the reach of A&T,” Sigmon said. “We have an As faculty prepare A&T students for careers of
opportunity to build a new era of preeminence and the future, the infrastructure of the university has
recognition to create an unprecedented idea of to keep pace. With increased enrollment growth,
what a 21st century HBCU can be.” there will be a need for more student housing
and campus parking, and a greater capacity for
The campaign for North Carolina A&T allows the communications, internet and Wi-Fi, development
university to do more good for more people. The systems and other student needs.
research done by faculty and students at N.C.
A&T can help communities and can be continued “With the help of the dedicated A&T students,
through more support. faculty, alumni, friends and community, are showing
the world what Aggies can do,” Sigmon said.
Whether funding research on the production of
allergen-reduced peanuts, health disparities, or a That support is being used to enhance academic
medical device to treat gallstone disease, private programs, fund facilities, strengthen scholarships
funds play a growing role at this doctoral, higher- and provide for faculty needs at what is now
research activity university. America’s No. 1 public historically black university,
By Jordan M. Howse according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best
Around $3.75 million came from private donors in Colleges rankings.
The tagline for North Carolina A&T’s 2017 to fund the high-level research that students
capital campaign is a testament to and faculty engage in. “At its heart, the Campaign for North Carolina
everything Aggies have done, are doing A&T stands for transformation and the abiding
and can do. “We’re solving real-world challenges that we all idea that by exercising our power, individually and
face,” Sigmon said. “Through this, we’re supporting collectively, we can move mountains,” Chancellor
capital The Campaign for North Carolina A&T the collective power of do. There really is a power in Harold L. Martin Sr. told the more than 400 guests
caMpaign focuses on four pillars: students, faculty, people deciding to make things happen and we can assembled at the kickoff event. “Our university
allows the program support and infrastructure. Ken do that with the investments.” will be a different institution when this campaign
Sigmon, vice chancellor of university
concludes, I promise you.”
University to advancement, said those pillars are what The A&T Preeminence 2020 strategic plan set A&T
make N.C. A&T great. on the path to achieve ambitious goals that would
do “A&T got started from the power of do,” encourage creative exchange, commit to excellence
in teaching, position the university as a premier
Sigmon said. “Private support got us
out the basement of Shaw University research institution, embrace the entrepreneurial
spirit, foster diversity and inclusion and achieve
More good and that’s what it’s going to take to help academic an operational excellence.
us become a preeminent land-grant
for More university.
people

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