Fred Lybrand is pursuing a dual bachelor’s degree in paper science and engineering and chemical engineering. He recently completed his first year at the NC State College of Natural Resources.
A native of New Hampshire, Lybrand is one of a few out-of-state students to be awarded a full-ride scholarship to NC State through the college’s “Paper Super Scholars” program.
Lybrand is currently a member of the student chapter of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) and the student advisory committee for the Pulp and Paper Advisory Board.
NC State writer Emma Stuck recently spoke with Lybrand about his decision to study paper science and engineering at the College of Natural Resources and what he hopes to accomplish going forward.
Why did you choose to study paper science and enbgineering?
Fred Lybrand: I chose to study paper science and engineering because this program has more to offer than any other engineering program I have ever heard of. Truth be told, NC State was the last school I applied to, and I doubted I would come here. But a few weeks after I submitted my application for chemical engineering, I received the fated email that I had been selected for some kind of scholarship. I had no clue what paper science was, but the scholarship certainly interested me.
After that, I was on a flight to NC State for the Paper Super Scholars weekend. Later that day, I laid my eyes on Biltmore Hall for the first time. The enthusiasm of the faculty and staff, especially Med Byrd and Angie Rush, was something I had not seen in any other program. All of the students seemed to love the program and everyone had an internship offer. Once I saw the “WolfPack Baby” pilot plant, I was sold. Regardless of the scholarship, I knew I was going to come to NC State to study.
What is your favorite memory or class from your time at NC State?
Lybrand: One of my favorite memories was the Super Bowl LIX watch party we held in the dorm in February. Early in the football season, I convinced my roommate to bring a crock pot and we started making buffalo chicken dip for game days. This tradition soon evolved into larger and larger watch parties that we held in our room. By the time the Super Bowl came around, 20 of us got together and we had a spread big enough to fill a whole table in our dorm’s lounge. It was such a fun experience to get the whole group together, and it showed me how strong and connected the community at NC State can be.
What are your career goals?
Lybrand: My goal is to become an expert in process control and apply this knowledge in management within the paper industry. This fall, I will be working for International Paper’s Franklin, Virginia mill on a five-month co-op. This will be my first industry experience, and my hope is for it to provide a good launch point for my career to come. Over the next several years, my plan is to take internships in process control, a linerboard mill and a box plant. My aim with these work experiences is to gain a wide range of knowledge to maximize my utility within all sections of the industry. I want to know how it all works.
How has the College of Natural Resources prepared you for your future?
Lybrand: I don’t know how I could be any better prepared. As a freshman, I have a co-op, and if not for my summer job at a beach bar in New Hampshire, I would have an internship, too. The Paper Science and Engineering program and the College of Natural Resources have provided me with countless opportunities for resume development, mock interviews, career fairs and whatever else you can think of. I have more career opportunities than any of my friends, and I feel like I have a better idea of where I want to go in life as well.
What advice would you give to students entering your major?
Lybrand: Paper science, like anything worth doing, is difficult. There will undoubtedly be struggles and points when you feel like you can’t persevere. What matters most in these moments is that you focus on your input, not the outcome. You can only control what you do. Hard times are when you grow — you learn the most when you push yourself beyond what you thought was possible. Every time you push the boundaries and improve your systems, you learn how to make that effort you put in go a little bit further. When you learn to embrace the struggle, everything gets a lot easier.
But life in college isn’t just about doing work — this is one of the most fun experiences you will ever have. Pushing yourself hard academically is important, but you also need to push yourself socially. My guiding principle here has been, “If I have time, say ‘Yes’.” This philosophy has led me to countless experiences I never could have predicted. If you told high-school me that I would be good at country swing dancing, I would have laughed in your face. But it was one of the most fun things I did in the first semester, and I never would have gone without the motto!
Tell us about something you are passionate about outside of your academic studies.
Lybrand: I’m big on the gym, hiking and cooking. If I’m not studying or with friends, I’m probably doing one of those three. I love going to Carmichael Gym; walking down for a good lift is always a highlight of my day. We only made it out camping once this semester, but it was a great time. Cooking’s been a little tricky without a kitchen in the dorms, but we’ve made the most of it. We’ve had a bunch of cookouts on the outdoor grills, and during football season, we made buffalo chicken dip every Sunday. I can’t wait to have both a car and a kitchen next year. Raleigh is going to feel a whole lot bigger.
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