By: Charlie Pine ’28

Attending the recent general session and reception and celebration banquet hosted by the Paper and Pulp Advisory Board (PPAB) was a truly memorable experience, especially since it was the first time attending as a student in paper science and engineering. Overall, the day was a great mix of learning, networking, and just gaining a better appreciation for the paper industry.

The day started with the general session in the Coastal Ballroom sponsored by PPAB member company, Valmet. Allen Sanders’ update on the Future Ready Initiative was encouraging and showed how much effort is going into moving the industry forward and supporting our students. The keynote speaker, Ray Heuchling, was another highlight. His story stood out because his path into the industry wasn’t typical, and it was interesting to see how different experiences can still lead to success in this field. The Q&A afterward made it even more engaging and gave some useful insight into his career with Irving Paper and advice he had for students.

The evening reception and banquet were just as impactful, but in a different way. Along with the delicious food, it was a great opportunity to talk with industry partners and get to know upperclassmen who already have a lot of experience. The “tent revival” tradition from Dr. Med Byrd added a fun and familiar element to the night and gave a glimpse into the pillars of pulp and paper. One of the most meaningful parts of the evening was getting to sit with the current steward of the International Paper NCSU Alumni Endowed Scholarship, which I am honored to receive. That moment really highlighted how strong the support system is for students in the program. It was also great to hear about newly endowed scholarships, including one established by alum and former Assistant Dean of Philanthropy, Jennifer Piercy, which shows how much alumnae and the industry care about supporting students financially enabling them to pursue fulfilling careers in the paper and allied industries.

Overall, it was an absolutely inspiring experience. Being around people who are genuinely passionate about the paper industry and invested in helping students succeed made it even more exciting to be part of this community and to think about a future in the industry.