Dr. Norman and Betty Camp Partners for Environment Justice Scholarship Established

Posted on February 19, 2013 by

Dr. Norman Camp is an educator, environmentalist, political activist, community advocate and NC State University alumnus. He received his Ph.D. in Science Education in 1979, was born in East Raleigh and grew up exploring the Walnut Creek Wetlands. Dr. Camp served as college administrator at three different institutions throughout the Southeast, including holding positions of Dean and Vice Chancellor.

Dean Mary Watzin joins in Camps in celebrating the PArtners for Environmental Justice Scholarship at NC State University

Dean Mary Watzin (left) joins Mrs. Betty Camp (middle) and Dr. Norman Camp (right) in celebrating the new Partners for Environmental Justice Scholarship at NC State University

A prominent figure in Southeast Raleigh for over 35 years, he has served as chairman of the South Citizens Advisory Council, a member of the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, a member of the Garner Road Development Committee and as Trustee of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund.

One of his greatest passions is his role as chairman of Partners for Environmental Justice, a nonprofit coalition that spearheaded the effort to restore and preserve the Walnut Creek Wetlands and successfully establish an urban wetland education center and park.

Dr. Norman and Betty Camp’s shared passion for the environment, education and social justice has inspired the establishment of this scholarship in hopes that future generations will follow a similar path–one of increasing stewardship and access to the natural world for all people, especially those traditionally excluded from this fundamental human experience of communing with nature.

An anonymous donor established the Dr. Norman and Betty Camp Partners for Environmental Justice Scholarship Endowment to honor the legacy of Norman and Betty Camp and to provide a scholarship award to deserving students. As an alum of NC State University working in the environmental field, the donor has chosen to honor the Camps because of their shared passion for giving back and for promoting stewardship of our natural resources.

Need-based awards from this endowment will be made to a student in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, College of Natural Resources at NC State University who has graduated from a Southeast Raleigh public high school. The award(s) may be renewable based on specific criteria being met.

NC State and Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network Team Up to Help Raleigh Startup Tethis Close Series A Venture Round

Posted on February 18, 2013 by

From Research, Innovation and Economic Development, NC State University
Release date 2.13.13

Raleigh, NC – An NC State startup company commercializing technology that removes salt and other materials from water created as a by-product of industrial processes – useful in processes like hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking” – has received $800K in private funding.

Tethis, Inc., which is located in Raleigh, recently closed a Series A stock round. The company is commercializing a technology, originated in North Carolina State University’s College of Natural Resources, to remove salt and other hazardous materials from water generated as a by-product of industrial processes, including fracking.

Blackstone Network Executive Director Bob Creeden says Tethis co-founder and CEO Scott Bolin is exactly the kind of entrepreneur that the Blackstone Network is positioned to help. “Scott brought the right combination of a high-potential technology developed at NC State and the passion to pursue forming a company,” Creeden says.

The funding round was led by seasoned area entrepreneur Chris Evans, who became involved with Tethis in his role as the company’s mentor-lead in the Triangle-based Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network. Evans, co-founder of DaVinci Systems, founder of Hotlinx and Accipiter and an NC State alumnus, invested $100,000 of his own money in the company and will remain involved as executive chairman.

Bolin, Moataz Mousa and Ryan Chan moved Tethis from a class project in NC State’s HiTEC program to licensing the technology developed by professors Joel Pawlak and Richard Venditti to form Tethis. The new company also is a member of the 2013 NC State Fast 15, receiving launch support from the university’s New Venture Services.

“NC State and the Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network have built a strong relationship focused on driving new venture success. Their mentor network combines with our innovation ecosystem to help new companies grow,” says Vice Chancellor Terri Lomax of NC State’s Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development.

The group of investors meets key strategic interests for the company and brings experience. “We wanted to raise the capital necessary to sustain our commercialization efforts, but we also wanted to have investors who know the markets we’ll play in and can help the company as it evolves,” Evans adds.

Through the Blackstone Network, Bolin also was invited to pitch the technology at Blackstone’s corporate headquarters to industry experts and investment managers, resulting in key connections and an opportunity for site-testing the technology.

The treatment and disposal of saltwater and brine is a global challenge costing industry and governments billions annually. The markets for saltwater treatment include the desalination and recycling of frack flowback water – salt-laden water that is a byproduct of hydraulically fractured gas wells. To do this, the company uses Tethex, a biodegradable foam licensed from NC State, that binds with dissolved salts, minerals and other materials, allowing them to be removed from wastewater.

About NC State’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: NC State’s Office of Technology Transfer evaluates university-developed technology, with an eye for commercial potential within existing companies or as the basis of startups. New Venture Services, within OTT, provides company launch support through the annual Fast 15, a grouping of the most compelling business opportunities from faculty research and student creativity across the university. The Poole College of Management’s Graduate Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Program, known as HiTEC, develop venture-grade commercialization plans through student courses. Learn more at research.ncsu.edu/ott.

About the Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network: Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network was launched with a gift from The Blackstone Charitable Foundation in 2011. The Network draws from a regional pool of veteran entrepreneurs (EIRs) who help identify marketable innovations out of area universities and regional startups with the greatest potential to become high-growth companies. EIRs work as a team to mentor these local entrepreneurs in company building, make connections to their network of experts and funders, and provide access to the broader Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network. This greater network includes sector experts, venture coaches, angel investors and administrative and marketing support. Learn more at blackstoneentrepreneursnetwork.org.

For more information:
Gene Pinder | Research, Innovation and Economic Development, NC State University | 919-515-7036
Michelle Bolas | Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network | 919-225-2607

A.G. Raymond Forest Products Scholarship Established

Posted on February 18, 2013 by

Arthur G. Raymond, Jr.

Arthur G. Raymond, Jr. (Art), a 1969 alumnus of the College of Natural Resources, established the A.G. Raymond Forest Products Scholarship Endowment in the fall of 2012 to provide need-based undergraduate scholarships for Wood Products students in NC State University’s Department of Forest Biomaterials.

Having headed his own consulting firm specializing in wood products manufacturing and currently serving as Senior Vice President of Hooker Furniture, Art understands the importance of combining knowledge driven science with sound business practices to create usable, sustainable products for the consumer in the global market.

Art is an avid NC State supporter serving since 2002 on the NC State Natural Resources Foundation Board of Directors on the Executive Committee, Budget Committee and Chair of the Development Committee. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the College of Natural Resources and has served as a guest lecturer in Industrial Engineering, as well as, an active member of both the NC State Alumni Association and the Wolfpack Club.

This endowment will be used to provide need-based undergraduate scholarships for wood products students in the College of Natural Resources. Awards will be for one academic year and may be renewable based on specific criteria being met.

About the Department of Forest Biomaterials
NC State University’s Department of Forest Biomaterials (FB) is home to a nationally recognized wood products program with a long history of supporting wood manufacturing industries, sustainable housing and their surrounding communities and to one of the oldest and most respected paper science and engineering programs in the world. We also support a fast-growing forest biomaterials and bioenergy area, which examines the production of novel biomass resources, and develops the chemical science and engineering technology for the sustainable production of materials and energy.

The department pursues interdisciplinary teaching, research and extension activities. Our approach recognizes the scientific and engineering principles driving each area of study as well as applicable technology and business skills. Our programs also examine and acknowledge the broader sustainability issues that affect industries operating in these fields, including the financial, management and social components. All of our programs emphasize hands-on learning that identify solutions to real-world problems and developing futuristic products and environmentally friendly processes.

New Scholarship Recognizes Influence of Drs. Zobel and Kellison

Posted on February 14, 2013 by

The Richard and Rita Porterfield Charitable Trust established a scholarship endowment dedicated to the late Bruce J. Zobel and Robert C. Kellison. Drs. Zobel and Kellison, professors, mentors and friends to innumerable NC State University students over their decades of service to the profession of forestry, will be recognized in perpetuity through this endowment.

These “teachers” positively affected the lives and work of many natural resource managers here at NC State and around the world.

The endowment states, “The recipient of this scholarship should ever strive to be such a positive influence on others throughout their careers.”

Dr. Bruce Zobel

Dr. Zobel served NC State 55 years in the field of forest genetics and founded the Camcore program in gene conservation and forest genetics. During his tenure, Dr. Zobel received numerous awards including the Alexander Quarles Holladay medal for career achievements and contributions to the university.

Dr. Robert Kellison

Dr. Kellison, Professor Emeritus of Forestry, came to NC State in 1966 to pursue his MS and PhD. He joined the faculty and became a leader in the areas of forest genetics and silviculture. Because of their contributions, our natural environment as well as the populous of the world has ultimately benefited.

N.C. State Golf Management Students to Help Northgreen Country Club

Posted on February 13, 2013 by

N.C. State University has chosen Northgreen Country Club as a classroom case study for students this semester who are trying to make a career in the golf industry.

PGM students gain hands on knowledge through required internships and service projects

The PGA Golf Management course students have been analyzing Northgreen and its clubhouse and are offering suggestions for improving the business. The students, who are taking the course in the university’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, also are making site visits and will be assisting with clinics and other duties at the course.

The golf course was chosen for this semester’s case study after residents of the Northgreen Village Association sat down with course owner Ed Holloman to discuss ways they could work together to improve the course, which is considered a major selling point for their properties.

The partnership  between the university and course a win-win situation for everyone involved, Northgreen owner Wayne Holloman said. He said Northgreen Country Club gets free advice about how to improve the course and improve its bottom line. And students get a chance to work at a blue-collar course that is open to the public and similar to clubs some will be working at when they graduate, course instructor Andy Betz said. He said his upper- level students are putting together a marketing plan for Northgreen.

Holloman said (the partnership) resulted in what amounted to a free consultation. “It was amazing to see college kids put that much serious effort into something.” Residents said any  improvements to the course can only be a plus for the neighborhood.

Adapted from the “Rocky Mount Telegram”.
Read the complete article, written by John Henderson and published February 11, 2013