Class of 2019 – They Will Make a Difference

On May 11^th, twenty-two new paper science and engineering (PSE) graduates received their diplomas in Reynolds Coliseum. After growing close as a class and bonding over shared experiences, the graduates were excited to enter the next chapter of their lives.

The Places they Will Go

These graduates from the class of 2019 will be going to work at Evergreen Packaging, Domtar, Graphic Packaging, WestRock, International Paper, Georgia-Pacific, Twin Rivers Paper, National Gypsum, Nalco, EDT, and Andritz. Their degrees in paper science and engineering make them uniquely prepared for their new jobs, as several of the graduates will attest. Kable Young, who will be  working with Georgia-Pacific in Big Island, Virginia, feels that he “has a working knowledge that is invaluable in the industry.” In addition to teaching technical skills, Manon MacAllister, who will be working with International Paper in Georgetown, South Carolina, believes that the PSE program “prepares it students to be competent writers, comfortable public speakers, and skilled communicators.”

It’s More Than a Degree

With their challenging senior year behind them, the graduates are able to reflect on what made their time at NC State special. For Young, the opportunity to work closely with his professors while increasing his technical knowledge made his last year in the program memorable. He also had the opportunity to get to know more students in the program and says that by being a TA for PSE 472, he “become involved with the program again and really got to know a group of students who I only knew in passing.”

Although the classes were difficult, the senior class made sure to enjoy the end of their time in college. MacAllister notes that her favorite memories from senior year involve going to Raleigh Brewing near Meredith College to unwind, a tradition that she hopes is carried on by future  classes. By the time graduation day arrived, the seniors were filled with mixed emotions. Reflecting on graduation, MacAllister says that she “had spent the last five years with the same classmates, moving through the same space and complaining about homework together, and for me, graduation was not just a huge celebration of our accomplishments, but also the moment that I had to say goodbye to the best friends I made during my time here.” Young described the time surrounding graduation as a blur of many different events to attend, and the size of the College of Natural Resources took him by surprise.

Until we Meet Again

There are many difficult goodbyes for the seniors to give this time of year, from the many friends made in the program to the faculty who have been there every step of the way. MacAllister sums up the feelings of many when she says that “the program is absolutely like a family, and it’s never easy to say goodbye – especially when this time you’re not sure when you’ll see them again.” These seniors will be missed, and everyone in the program wishes them the very best. Congratulations to the class of 2019 as they look toward the bright futures ahead of them!

Guest Blogger Daniel Lucas