University Honors Program Hosts Inaugural Rooted in Raleigh Program
Incoming students from rural North Carolina and other states arrived on campus early for an opportunity to explore campus and the Raleigh area — and a sneak peek at a new alumni-owned business on Hillsborough Street.
This week, a group of new residents in the Honors Village and students in the University Honors Program arrived on campus for three days of special programming to help get them acclimated to their new home.
“We wanted to take a little time for students to get to know us, each other and the amazing opportunities offered not only by NC State but also by all that the city of Raleigh has to offer in terms of community engagement, service, research and exploration,” said Holly Hurlburt, assistant dean and executive director for Academic Enrichment Programming for University College. “We urged the students to channel their curiosity and begin honing their observation and reflection skills — things we want them to draw on in their Honors Program and NC State experiences.”
As part of the new bridge program called Rooted in Raleigh, 23 students from out-of-state and rural North Carolina had the opportunity to take tours of campus, meet their classmates and NC State staff and learn about campus resources. They also ventured off campus to visit the State Farmers Market, Howling Cow Creamery, museums and other Raleigh landmarks, and met alumni like Maggie Kane, founder and owner of A Place at the Table. They also got a sneak peek at the new storefront location for 321 Coffee, created and operated by Lindsay Wrege, an alumna of what was then the University Honors and Scholars Program.
Rooted students had the opportunity to meet Wrege and some of her staff and ask them questions. When asked by a student how she got started with 321, Wrege replied, “I said it.” She went on to explain that articulating her idea aloud to a group of supportive friends gave her the belief she needed. She followed her dream to begin a business that trains and employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Learn more about the University Honors Program here, and see more photos from their visit to 321 Coffee below.
