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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
graduates at NC State commencement

CALS Alumni and Friends

Catch up on college news, learn about upcoming events and stay in touch with other graduates.

Welcome Home

We are glad that you are visiting. We hope you can take a few minutes to catch up on the news of the college and learn about our upcoming events.

We also hope you stay in touch. Our students are interested in learning more about their alumni, so we welcome you to submit suggestions for stories, as well as brief announcements about professional achievements.

CALS donor giving advice to student at 2016 Donor Recognition Dinner

Alumni Recognition

The CALS Alumni and Friends Society recognizes alumni for their achievements and support of CALS and NC State.

Learn More 
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Alumni and Friends Society Advisory Board

View the current board members and meeting schedule.

Board Members and Meetings 
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Update Your Contact Info

Keep your information current by completing the biographical update form.

Complete the Form 

Contact CALS Alumni and Friends Society

Phone: 919-515-7222
Fax:  919-515-5274
Email:  calsalum@ncsu.edu

CALS Alumni and Friends Society Advisory Board

2021 Meeting Schedule

May 20, 2021

Board Members

NameCompanyTitleGraduationBoard Role
Mr. William B. Upchurch Jr.NC Tobacco Trust Fund CommissionExecutive DirectorClass of ’91President
Mr. Chad BentonBASF CorporationScientist IIIClass of ’05Vice President
Mrs. Leslie B. FriedrichSyngenta Crop ProtectionRetiredClass of ’87Secretary/Treasurer
Mr. George SimpsonYara North America, Inc.Regional ManagerClass of ’92Immediate Past President
Mr. Jason BarbourBearded Cob Farms & Barbour FarmsOwner/Operator and PartnerClass of ’12Member
Dr. Travis BurkeNC State Administration – ExtensionEmeritusClass of ’82, ’87, ’02Member
Mr. Jason BurtonJason P. Burton, Attorney at LawAttorneyClass of ’98, ’02Member
Ms. Lakean ByrdSouth Johnston High SchoolAgriculture Education TeacherClass of ’13Member
Mrs. Ashley CollinsAgriculture Future of AmericaDirector of Collegiate RelationsClass of ’05Member
Mr. Jeff JenningsClass of ’87Member
Mr. Chris HegeCoastal Agro BusinessSeed and Technology ManagerClass of ’97Member
Mr. Jacob TraverseTriangle Global Health ConsortiumExecutive DirectorClass of ’01, ’05Member
Dr. Bonnie JamesWal-Mart FoundationPharmacistClass of ’09, ’13Member
Mrs. Lendy JohnsonNC Farm Bureau Foundation, Inc.Director of OrganizationClass of ’06, ’11Member
Mr. David ParrishNC Cotton Producers AssociationCEOClass of ’02Member
Mr. George ScottUniversal Leaf FoundationVice PresidentClass of ’98, ’00Member
Mrs. Gabby SecklerNetsertiveClient Success CoordinatorClass of ’15Member
Mrs. Sharon TysonTyson Family FarmsFarm Co-ManagerClass of ’92Member
Mr. Bryant SpiveyNorth Carolina State UniversityCounty Extension DirectorClass of ’93, ’01NCCES Representative
Mr. Gary CartwrightNorth Carolina State UniversityDairy Enterprise DirectorClass of ’79Faculty Advisor – Agriculture
TBDFaculty Advisor – Life Sciences
Ms. Karin ShankNorth Carolina Biotechnology CenterSenior Research AnalystClass of ’00NC Biotechnology Center Representative
Mrs. Beth FarrellNorth Carolina Department of AgricultureAgriculture Program SpecialistClass of ’02NCDA Representative
Ms. Courtney ThorntonNC State CALS StudentClass of ’19Student Representative
Mr. Chad TysonNC State CALS StudentClass of ’20Student Representative
Mr. Matthew WilliamsNC State Alumni AssociationCoordinator of Constituency GroupsClass of ’14NC State Alumni Association Advisor