NC State formally installs Kevin Howell as 15th chancellor

NC State University formally installed Kevin Howell as chancellor on Thursday morning in a special ceremony at Reynolds Coliseum.

Howell and his wife, Aleta Howell, looked the part in holding up the Wolfpack hand symbol in front of a supportive crowd.

For Howell, Thursday was another step in a journey that started when he enrolled at NC State in the 1980s.

"The deep love that I hold for this place and its people began the moment that I decided as an undergraduate student from Shelby," Howell said. "I'm grateful to God for that one decision that changed my life forever."

Howell was presented with the traditional emblems of the chancellorship and took an oath with one hand on a bible. After that, he gave remarks that included one lighthearted quip that spoke to the heart of students and staff familiar with one of the campus's more prominent features. 

"The path that led me here to this moment is most certainly paved in brick," he said. "We all walked on them. We celebrated on them. We've lived and learned in places built with them. They're everywhere. Bricks connect this campus in such a special way. But what it really does, it reminds us that we're all part of something bigger."

Howell, a Shelby native and NC State graduate himself, replaces Randy Woodson, who spent 15 years at the helm. Howell received his undergraduate degree in political science, earned a law degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and previously served as chief of external affairs for UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine.

"Kevin Howell quite literally embodies the spirit of NC State," said NC State Board of Trustees Chair Ed Stack. "His reputation is a person of great integrity, unwavering dedication and solid leadership is what led him to this day."

Howell was named chancellor on March 19 and began work on May 5. 

N.C. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, NC State Student Body President Isaac Carreno and UNC Board of Governors Chair Wendy Murphy were among the speakers.

The NC State marching band played and the NC State Chorale performed the National Anthem and Alma Mater.

In July, NC State was ranked in the top 10 in the Princeton Review rankings of the nation's best colleges, placing high in best value for students with no demonstrated financial need and best value overall among public schools. State is the largest university in North Carolina with an estimated 39,000 students and two campuses between main campus and Centennial Campus.

Howell spoke to the importance of higher education, research and supplying the workforce with aspiring and ambitious voices to drive innovation.

"My goal as your chancellor is for the world to see what I already do - that NC State is poised to be the best, most innovative land grant university in the country," Howell said before a big ovation.

Howell's installation comes at a time when NC State is dealing with the fallout from the discovery of PCBs at Poe Hall, where many former students, workers and faculty have reported having cancer.