NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

From a middle school FFA member to a graduate of NC State CALS, Chloé Sharpe has sown a passion for agriculture into a field of opportunity. 🌱 Sharpe graduated this past weekend with a degree in agroecology and sustainable food systems, which she describes as the study of sustainable agriculture from seed to fork. Between leading @ncsu_agroecology and interning with @ncstateextension , she has spent her college career building community and championing agriculture. “I’ve been learning who I am and what I’m good at outside of everything that I had been labeled as — and I don’t mean that negatively. People, when you’re growing up, they want to help you reach your full potential, and so they’re like, ‘I notice you’re good at this, so why don’t you do that?’ That’s how I ended up in FFA and that has led me here, so I’m grateful for that.” Now, she hopes to take her passion for sustainable agriculture and service into a career with NC State Extension to help bridge the gap between farmers and consumers. Read more about Sharpe and her experience at NC State CALS at the link in our bio. #NCState26

This past weekend, twelve CALS departments held graduation ceremonies for their #NCState26 graduates. 🎓 👏 Check out some of our favorite snapshots of the ceremonies for @ncstate_bae , @are_ncstate , @ahsncstate , @ncsupmb , @ncstate.ans , @fbnsncstate and the NC State Department of Horticultural Science.

“And never forget, wherever you go, you will always be part of the Wolfpack.” — CALS Dean Garey Fox We are so proud of you, #NCState26! 🎓🫶

Caps off to you, #NCState26. 🫶🎓 We could not be prouder of all 821 of our newest CALS alumni. In the words of Dean Garey Fox: “Go forth, embrace the challenges and change our state, our country and the world for the better.”

Meet CALS grad McKenzie Wilkes! 👋✨ McKenzie is from Wake Forest, North Carolina, and will be graduating this weekend with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business Management. On campus, McKenzie was a member of the Sigma Alpha professional agricultural sorority and served as the the student chapter president of the NC State National Agri-Marketing Association this past year. Her advice for incoming CALS students? “As a graduating senior, my advice to CALS students is to take advantage of every opportunity. Say yes even if it pushes you out of your comfort zone! Get involved, ask questions and connect with everyone you can because the connections and experiences you gain outside of the classroom are just as important as those inside.” After graduation, she will be working in marketing at Verdesian Life Sciences. Congratulations, McKenzie, and welcome to the CALS Alumni Pack! 🐺

At age 13, Jeffrey Bradley knew he wanted to be part of the Wolfpack. Now, he's graduating with a full-time job lined up at John Deere. 🐺🚜 The biological and agricultural engineering technology major is kickstarting his career with a broad range of skills to draw upon — not just from his coursework, but also the many involvements he had on campus. From designing tractors with the Pack Pullers to interning with Extension to playing the tuba in the marching band, Bradley made the most of his time at NC State. “Jeffrey’s one of those students that you could tell him to do anything, get out of the way and trust it will be done right, ” said Grant Ellington, BAE associate Extension professor and Pack Pullers advisor. “Regardless of the technology we were using, there were several software packages that I got him to learn and then teach me.” Learn more about Bradley and his journey at the link in our bio.

The cow’s out of the bag. 🛻🐄 @NCStateHowlingCow ’s brand new food truck made its first rounds on campus today to celebrate the end of the semester. Stay tuned for moo-re info about the truck this summer… 👀

Say hello to soon-to-be CALS grad Malorie Woodard! 👋🎓 Malorie is from New Bern, North Carolina, and will graduate this weekend with a Bachelor of Science in Crop and Soil Sciences with a concentration in Agronomy. In addition to her studies, Malorie was active on campus, being part of @ncstatechancellorsaides , the @agrilifecouncil , the @ncsuagronomyclub , the University Honors Program and @ncsusigmaalpha . Her advice for future CALS students? "Say yes to all the things you think you might want to do. Trying new things and being involved not only helped me clarify my career goals and led me to opportunities I did not know existed, but also allowed me to meet some of my best friends!" After graduation, she plants to continue her journey at NC State to pursue her Master of Science in Crop Science. Congratulations, Malorie, and welcome to the CALS Alumni Pack! 🐺

Follow along for a day in the life of agricultural education major Junior Torres Diaz! 🌟 He takes you through his experience at the Wake County Ag Symposium, extracurricular activities with @ncstateffa and coursework.

What an incredible end to a great semester. 🎈🐺 We had a blast at the CALS Block Party today! From affirmation stations to food trucks to senior pins, students celebrated their hard work and de-stressed to prep for finals season. Thank you to all who came out, and to the CALS Academic Programs team for hosting the event!

Wherever you choose to study this finals season, just know that Dean Garey Fox is rooting for you. 📚 Happy Reading Day, CALS Pack! - - - 🎥 Video description: Dean Garey Fox walks out of Patterson Hall. Text appears above him reading, “The NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences presents: Dean Fox Studying Where He’s Never Studied Before.” Dean Fox is wearing a suit and reading textbooks in a tractor, at the Agroecology Education Farm, during a leadership meeting, outside the Free Expression Tunnel, in Talley Student Union and in a greenhouse. The video ends with Dean Fox holding a textbook and ice cream cone standing at the Howling Cow Dairy Education Center and Creamery.

Turfgrass science major Ty High is teed up for a success when he graduates in May. ⛳️🎓 High found his passion for golf course green management early, having grown up playing golf and landing a job on a golf course in high school. His time as a CALS student helped him understand the science behind what he’d seen on the course. After graduation, High will work as an assistant course superintendent in training at the Southern Hills Country Club. Southern Hills is set to host the 2032 PGA Championship, meaning he will help shape a course that will take a national stage. His advice to students coming behind him? “Use your network — your professors, your peers, everyone you meet along the way,” he said. “That network is more powerful than you realize.” Read more about High and his time at NC State CALS at the link in our bio.