NC State hosted its 2024 Pullen Society induction ceremony April 23, complete with a surprise ending that had attendees applauding long and loud. At the luncheon, 89 new members joined the legacy society, bringing its total membership to more than 2,000 committed Wolfpack planned-giving donors.
The induction took place in historic Reynolds Coliseum and began with a warm welcome from Katherine Miller, executive director of the Office of Gift Planning. Krista Ringler, NC State’s associate vice provost and director of Scholarships and Financial Aid, then spoke about the important work her office does to help students and potential students find the means to make their academic dreams a reality — and how estate gifts support that work.
Following lunch, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Brian Sischo gave a short history of the Pullen Society and noted how this year’s induction ceremony was particularly special. The society is named for the late R. Stanhope Pullen, a Raleigh businessman and NC State supporter who donated the original 62 acres that the university was built upon. It was created in 1993 to recognize Pack members who have included the university in their wills, trusts, IRA rollovers and more. The first induction ceremony was held the following year, making the 2024 event the society’s 30th anniversary.
Sischo then introduced Chancellor Randy Woodson, who gave a quick recap of NC State’s extraordinary spring 2024 semester. Following the chancellor’s remarks, Jim Broschart, associate vice chancellor for University Development, read short biographies about the inductees as they made their way forward to receive certificates and pose for a quick photo with Woodson.
Click the thumbnails below to expand the photo gallery.
Krista Ringler, NC State’s associate vice provost and director of Scholarships and Financial Aid, discusses her office’s work and its importance — and how planned giving helps make it all possible. 
The 2024 Pullen Society induction ceremony was held in historic Reynolds Coliseum. 
The Office of Gift Planning team. From left: Jennifer Reavey, Stacy Zearing, Katherine Miller, Mary Elizabeth Brake and Wendy Spaulding. 
Brian Sischo, vice chancellor for University Advancement, speaks to the group. 
Chancellor Randy Woodson presents Mr. and Ms. Wuf with their honorary Pullen Society induction certificate. 
Chancellor Woodson chatting with Pullen induction guests. 
A group photo of many of the 2024 Pullen Society inductees, and Mr. and Ms. Wuf. Photo by Marc Hall.
The 2024 ceremony was attended by many of this year’s inductees and their guests, as well as current Pullen members and their guests, NC State faculty and staff members, and even Mr. and Ms. Wuf, who made their surprise appearance toward the end of the event.
The beloved mascots weren’t just on hand for photo ops with the attendees, however, although they did take time to pose for pictures with guests afterward. Mr. and Ms. Wuf were actually being inducted into the Pullen Society themselves. The honorary certificates were symbolically bestowed upon each mascot by the chancellor, drawing a tremendous round of applause.
“Mr. and Ms. Wuf represent the very heart and soul of NC State,” Broschart read as the two made their way to the stage. “These dynamic symbols of our Wolfpack have been involved in campus life for decades, with their current, named versions introduced in 1981. They have been cheering us on ever since, and just like other Pullen Society members, they plan to keep on doing so far into the future.”
For more information on planned giving and how you, too, 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.
This post was originally published in Giving News.
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