Connecting to the Future
Joining the Wolfpack Family...
... we are so excited to be joining the Wolfpack family. After several years of living apart (even while trying to raise Hannah!) and a couple of challenging years of *transition* at OSU, this move to NCSU brings the potential for Craig and I to balance our passion for work with our dedication to family. NCSU will be my third position and so I've decided to dedicate this blog to describing our experiences joining the family.
There are so many places I could begin, but I thought I would begin with our sense of team spirit. Craig, Hannah and I are ready to become full Wolfpack fans... (though we reserve the right to root for my GA Bulldogs!). But what does that mean? We wonder about the culture here surrounding athletics and academics. Coming from two small, private undergrad schools football culture was off my radar when I arrived at UGA. I learned really quick, renting a small studio right behind the Redcoat Band practice field that football was an important part of being a student. At first, I had a hard time reconciling how the library could possibly close on football Saturdays. But I came to appreciate the way in which athletics at GA united students of all backgrounds together (even when their teams were struggling... and believe me, my first four years of GA football were tough!). At UGA, it was expected that students would attend (regardless of the team's record) and students would dress up in their very best to root on their team. As a TA, many of the athletes were in my Intro Ed Psych class, and I observed how coaches pushed students to be successful in academics. I think one of our darkest hours was when some courses on campus were found manipulating grades for athletes.
I wonder, what is the culture is here at NCSU? How do students and faculty feel about the athletic program and the ways in which it contributes to the mission of the college/university?
There are so many places I could begin, but I thought I would begin with our sense of team spirit. Craig, Hannah and I are ready to become full Wolfpack fans... (though we reserve the right to root for my GA Bulldogs!). But what does that mean? We wonder about the culture here surrounding athletics and academics. Coming from two small, private undergrad schools football culture was off my radar when I arrived at UGA. I learned really quick, renting a small studio right behind the Redcoat Band practice field that football was an important part of being a student. At first, I had a hard time reconciling how the library could possibly close on football Saturdays. But I came to appreciate the way in which athletics at GA united students of all backgrounds together (even when their teams were struggling... and believe me, my first four years of GA football were tough!). At UGA, it was expected that students would attend (regardless of the team's record) and students would dress up in their very best to root on their team. As a TA, many of the athletes were in my Intro Ed Psych class, and I observed how coaches pushed students to be successful in academics. I think one of our darkest hours was when some courses on campus were found manipulating grades for athletes.
I wonder, what is the culture is here at NCSU? How do students and faculty feel about the athletic program and the ways in which it contributes to the mission of the college/university?
Comment
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Comment by John Lee on August 19, 2008 at 4:21pm - Heather - welcome from a fellow Bulldog ('86) now Wolfpacker. I have a lot of fond undergraduate memories of Georgia football "back in the day" - Herschel Walker, Vince Dooley, etc. My family has season tickets to State football (8 year son and 6 year daughter). We will be tailgating and enjoying the season will 50,000 of NC's finest in the biggest parking lot tailgate show in country! I think you will find the atmosphere fun, certainly a notch below Athens and Columbus in numbers, but no doubt as much passion per capita as anywhere. And don't forget we have five universities playing football within 2 hours - three of those 20 minutes apart! Oh yes, and a div II national champ in Ap State. But, for shear excitement and fan fun just wait to basketball season. There is nothing like it anywhere.
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Comment by Bethany Smith on August 19, 2008 at 2:58pm - I think NC State fans are fairly resilient. We will cheer our team on - no matter how good or bad they are!
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Comment by Jane Brocious on August 18, 2008 at 8:42pm -
Hi, Heather! Welcome to NC State and WOLFPACK mania! I think we met today in the 402 Suite. I think you're going to be in for a real treat when it comes to experiencing athletics here at NC State. I absolutely love the pageantry at the football games, though I don't get to go very often. My son has season tickets, and my husband and I have tickets to two games this fall, beginning with the home opener against William and Mary on September 6. We'll be tailgating with my son and daughter-in-law and he really likes to make a day of it. I don't know how old Hannah is, but I'm betting she would LOVE it if she's old enough to attend a game.
My experience with athletes here at State has been very positive. Their coaches keep track of their academic progress and check on them regularly (at least the ones I have taught).
Take care and I'll see you again soon, I'm sure!
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