NC State Hosts Summit on University Role in Driving Economy

How do universities leverage their research findings to spur job creation and transform economies? North Carolina State University will host academic, business and thought leaders to discuss university innovation and how it drives economic growth during a forum on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the James B. Hunt Jr. Library on Centennial Campus.

The event, Transforming Economies: The Role of University Innovation in Economic Growth, includes two parts. Media are invited to both. Parking is available in the Oval West parking deck just north of the library.

At noon, Gov. Pat McCrory will address an invitation-only luncheon that also features a keynote address from John Seely Brown, independent co-chairman of the Deloitte’s Center for the Edge and a visiting scholar and advisor to the provost at the University of Southern California.

At 1:30 p.m., a public forum begins with panel sessions featuring academic, business and thoughts leaders from across the nation. During the first open afternoon session, NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson and other university leaders will discuss innovation from the land-grant perspective with the president of the Association of Public Land-Grant Universities, Peter McPherson.

At 2:15 p.m., business leaders from leading firms will discuss how to effectively partner with universities to drive economic growth. Panelists include: moderator Rob Glass, vice president, technology at Cree; Jim Goodnight, co-founder and CEO of SAS; Stewart Witzeman, director of Eastman Innovation Center, Eastman Chemical; and Linda Butler, vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer, Rex Healthcare.

At 3:30 p.m., university and industry leaders will talk about the role of universities in developing economic clusters in such areas as agricultural biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals. Panelists include: moderator Terri Lomax, vice chancellor for research, innovation & economic development; Machelle Sanders, vice president, manufacturing & general manager, Biogen Idec; Tom Daugherty, associate director, corporate R&D, Procter & Gamble; Allen Burchett, business development, North America, ABB; and Miles Wright, CEO, Xanofi.

A 4:15 p.m. session will present case studies and best practices on how universities can become innovative engines for economic growth. Panelists include: moderator Ted Abernathy, executive director, Southern Growth Policies Board; David Day, assistant vice president, director, Office of Technology Transfer, University of Florida; and Denis Gray, a professor at NC State.

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