Red and White Week 2025 Recap

Editor’s note: The work and impact of NC State Alumni Regional Networks and events like Red and White Week are made possible through generous donors who support the Alumni Impact Fund.

Every fall, Red and White Week brings to life a homecoming that resonates across the entire Wolfpack community. It’s a celebration of pride and connection — one that grows stronger each year.

That Pack spirit brought together alumni, students, staff, faculty, donors and friends from Raleigh to regions across the country. This year’s Red and White Week also included the installation of Chancellor Kevin Howell, the Wolfpack’s 15th chancellor, as well as a Wolfpack win over Georgia Tech.

The Pack Gives Back – Regional Events

For alumni like Pace Koenig, community isn’t confined to NC State’s campus. As a regional network volunteer, Koenig helped expand Red and White Week’s reach to South Florida, giving alumni who couldn’t return to Raleigh a new way to reconnect.

“I wanted to help reinvigorate the South Florida NC State alumni network because I’d attended events here years ago and knew others were eager to reconnect,” Koenig said. “Now feels like the perfect time to bridge those gaps. There’s real enthusiasm among alumni, and Red and White Week was the right moment to bring that energy together.”

The South Florida Alumni Network met for a morning beach cleanup, brightening their community and enjoying Wolfpack fellowship.

Koenig said the gatherings offered far-flung alumni a meaningful way to celebrate alongside the larger Wolfpack community.

“It gives us a chance to talk about campus news, homecoming and Wolfpack sports,” he said. “It’s comforting to see new graduates and long-time alumni forming bonds through shared pride — no matter how far from Raleigh we are.”

Black Alumni Society

While Koenig worked to strengthen regional connections, Courtney Simpson, homecoming co-chair of the Black Alumni Society, focused on deepening ties within her own network. This year’s BAS events drew a large attendance, reflecting the organization’s commitment to fostering lifelong connection among NC State graduates.

“I hope every event — whether it’s BASFest, the Legacy Reception or our regional gatherings — reminds alumni that they’re an essential part of NC State’s story,” Simpson said. “These moments are about celebrating who we are as Black alumni and building a legacy that reflects our strength and unity.”

Simpson said the turnout and enthusiasm at this year’s events underscored the lasting sense of community that BAS continues to nurture.

“Seeing generations of alumni come together — laughing, reminiscing and supporting one another — is powerful,” she said. “It’s a reminder that our connections to NC State extend well beyond our years on campus.”

Latinx Alumni Network

Across campus, the Latinx Alumni Network also strengthened its presence through a series of events designed to celebrate culture and connection. Jose Gonzalez, social and cultural engagement co-chair and current Ph.D. student, said this year’s programming reflected both growth and momentum for the group.

“One of LAN’s greatest strengths is to create spaces where alumni and students can connect and grow as professionals, individually and collaboratively,” Gonzalez said.

“A great example of the power of connection came when two alumni met through LAN. One alum recognized that the other had a skillset that could benefit his nonprofit organization. After collaborating and volunteering together successfully, that partnership not only strengthened the nonprofit’s work but also inspired the alum to take on a larger role, joining both the nonprofit’s board and the new 2025–2026 LAN officer cohort.”

For Gonzalez, the week was also a reminder of why giving back matters.

“There was a comment from one of our attendees that stood out. They said, ‘I give to those who gave to me. That’s why I’m invested in LAN.’ Those words reminded me exactly why I chose to stay connected to NC State. They made me realize how much LAN’s events, messages, and mission truly matter. LAN may not have existed when I was a student, but it has built the kind of vibrant community I would have loved to experience back then; one that nurtures connection, pride and purpose among alumni.” he said.

Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving

Chandler Oliver, director of engagement – experiences, is one of many team member who coordinate and amplify Red and White Week across the university.

“Our goal was to create experiences that deepen pride, connection and belonging across every corner of the Pack, a goal that directly reflects the mission of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving: an engaged and invested Wolfpack community for life,” Oliver said.

This year’s expanded programming — from regional gatherings to new alumni initiatives — reflects NC State’s ongoing commitment to connection and Wolfpack pride, she said.

“What stood out most to me this year was the sense of collective pride and energy that came through in every moment — from students lining up for Wear Red, Get Fed to alumni and friends gathering for dinner in Fountain Dining Hall to celebrating our incredible volunteers at Friday’s lunch. You could feel the pride and connection that unite our Wolfpack community.

“One moment that especially stood out was kicking off the week with Service Day — coming together in Raleigh and across our regional networks to give our time and make a difference. It perfectly captured what it means to be part of the Wolfpack: showing up for one another, serving our community and celebrating together.” she said. “Of course, we can’t talk about this year’s Red and White Week without recognizing the historic installation of NC State alum Kevin Howell as our 15th Chancellor — a beautiful and inspiring celebration led by my colleague Chelsea Doerfer and the University Special Events and Experiences team.

“What also captured the heart of the NC State spirit — though the public doesn’t always get to see it — were the partnerships, collaboration and teamwork that made Red and White Week possible. I saw the Student Alumni Association’s dedication to creating a week full of energy and connection for students, our Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving team stepping in wherever needed, volunteer community leaders working tirelessly to make each moment meaningful, our campus partners collaborating with us to bring new event ideas to life and our Alumni Association Board of Directors showing up as familiar, supportive faces throughout the week. That collective effort is what makes being part of the Wolfpack so special.”

Student Alumni Association

Oakleigh Shields, a student marketing director who helped plan this year’s events, said seeing those connections come to life was one of the most rewarding parts of her experience.

“One moment that really stood out was during NC SYNC,” Shields said. “Seeing Stewart Theatre filled with students cheering, laughing and supporting one another truly captured the unity we work so hard to create. The energy in that room showed that our efforts to engage students online and on campus really paid off.”

Shields also added that engagement metrics told the same story.

“We saw huge spikes in social media activity throughout the week, showing that students weren’t just attending events — they were sharing their experiences and spreading that school pride,” she said. “Looking ahead, I want to make Red and White Week even more accessible and visible, encouraging every student to take part in some way.”

To close out the week, the NC State Wolfpack capped off the celebrations with an unforgettable victory — triumphing over the undefeated No. 8 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, marking their first win over a top-10 opponent since 2021. Fitting this year’s theme – Light It Red – Carter-Finley Stadium glowed as fans celebrated, a fitting finale to a week defined by connection.

Red and White Week is homecoming at its best — a celebration of Wolfpack spirit through reunions, pride and memories that remind us of one truth: The strength of the wolf is the Pack.