Pullen Society Welcomes 112 New Members in 2023 Induction Ceremony
NC State’s R. Stanhope Pullen Society held its annual induction luncheon for new members April 25. The ceremony honors members of the Pack who have made a deferred gift to the university in the last year and celebrates all the gift-makers who came before them.
This year’s event took place in Reynolds Coliseum’s James T. Valvano Arena, coinciding nicely with the 40th anniversary of NC State’s men’s basketball team’s victory in the 1983 NCAA Championship under Valvano’s leadership. The timing also was a fitting reminder of all that the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which was created by the late Wolfpack head coach during his battle with cancer, has enabled NC State researchers to Think and Do through its financial support of the university in the years since.
The ceremony began with a welcome from Katherine Miller, executive director of the Office of Gift Planning, which helps donors facilitate gifts to the university through their wills, trusts, IRA rollovers and more. Miller then introduced Michael Nolan, a professor of radiation oncology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, who spoke about how deferred gifts and support from organizations such as the V Foundation are helping him and his colleagues develop new and better methods for treating animal cancer patients — and, as a result, helping improve the methods of treating humans with cancer.
The 2023 Pullen induction ceremony was held in Reynolds Coliseum’s James T. Valvano Arena. 
Katherine Miller, executive director of NC State’s Office of Gift Planning, welcomes guests to the annual luncheon event. 
Professor Michael Nolan gives a presentation on the important cancer research he and his team are conducting in the College of Veterinary Medicine thanks to private support. 
Vice Chancellor Brian Sischo gives a short history of the Pullen Society. 
Chancellor Randy Woodson thanks planned gift-makers for their long-term support of NC State. 
Chancellor Woodson presents a Pullen inductee with her commemorative certificate as Associate Vice Chancellor Reshunda Mahone reads a short bio about the inductee. 
Associate Vice Chancellor Reshunda Mahone reads a donor’s bio as they make their way forward for induction into the Pullen Society.
After lunch, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Brian Sischo provided a short history of the Pullen Society. He also reminded guests, including existing Pullen members who joined with university leadership in welcoming the new class of inductees, about the invaluable impact their gifts will make on NC State.
Chancellor Randy Woodson seconded these remarks as he took the stage later and prepared to present each of the 112 new members with a certificate commemorating the occasion.
“You have entrusted us with a part of your personal legacy through your planned gift, and we are deeply honored — and empowered — by that trust,” Woodson said. “NC State continues to draw top minds from around the world to study, teach and conduct research with our Pack, and your ongoing support will enable them to continue thinking and doing for many years to come.”
Woodson then shook hands and posed for photos with the inductees as Associate Vice Chancellor of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving Reshunda Mahone introduced them.
The Pullen Society is named for R. Stanhope Pullen, the Raleigh businessman and NC State supporter who donated the original 62 acres that the university was built upon. The society recognizes members of the Pack who have made a gift benefiting NC State through their wills, trusts or other holdings. No minimum gift amount is required, with all planned gifts being deemed equally important to NC State’s pursuit of educational excellence and worthy of recognition.
For more information on planned giving and how you can become a member of the Pullen Society, contact the Office of Gift Planning at 919-515-5106 or giftplanning@ncsu.edu, or visit ncsugift.org.
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