This fall, the fifteenth class of Park Scholars arrived on campus at NC State University. The class was selected from over 1,300 individuals who submitted their applications by last year’s November 1 deadline. Over 200 Park Scholarships and NC State alumni, faculty, and friends of the program participated in the selection process.

The class includes the creator of a youth anti-drug program, a recipient of the President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award, the founder of a program that provides school supplies to children in need, and the chairperson of a community trust youth philanthropy. Globally, members of the new class have founded a bookmobile program in Mexico, and participated in service projects in countries such as Ecuador and Costa Rica.

In August, the class participated in a three-day community building retreat in Black Mountain, North Carolina, led by Park Faculty Scholars Dr. Jim Martin, Department of Chemistry, and Dr. Jocelyn Taliaferro, Department of Social Work, along with members of the Park staff.

Over the course of this year, the Class of 2014 will take part in Park Scholar experiences designed to foster the development of each student. In the First-Year Seminar, Scholars will study leadership and approaches to problem solving through a cross-disciplinary lens. Through the Civic Engagement Initiatives, students will work together in groups and partner with Raleigh non-profit organizations to address needs across the city. In Learning Lab I, Park Scholars will explore a challenge facing the state of North Carolina and analyze issues alongside elected officials, researchers, and local residents.

Park Class of 2014 on their retreat in Black Mountain, North Carolina.