Your Messages

"Thank you for your welcomed and fine leadership. I have particularly enjoyed the entrepreneurial focus during your tenure."

"Dr. Woodson personifies the values of Wolfpack leadership perfectly, including establishing meaningful pathways to advance the quality of our society; the level-headed, professional, yet resilient persistence to get things done; and the unpretentious and approachable style that makes me proud to be an alumnus of NC State University."

“We can never thank you enough for all you have accomplished! You are family now!”

"When I read this news from the university website, I was surprised, actually I didn’t expect to know it. Even though I haven’t had the chance to meet you in person, I read about and see all your great service and management through the social networks. NC State will be missing you, but we will always appreciate you and remember you. Thank you very much all you're doing and all your warm support."

“You have been an absolutely fantastic leader and representative for our university! Your accomplishments for NC State are unprecedented, and we will sincerely miss your clear and informed leadership. I wish you the very best in retirement.”

"Thanks for your extraordinary leadership and service to State. Your contributions have made us proud, as you have placed us on an incredible academic trajectory! The transformation has been amazing! Best wishes to you and your wife!"

“I just want to thank you for your service to the community and humanity.”

"Your and Susan’s impact on the university was so apparent to my husband Rick (‘75) and myself (‘74) when we were moving our granddaughter in several weeks ago. I am sorry to admit that we have not been back to the school in many years, and although I used to be very active while at State (cheerleader) and after graduation (Education and Psychology Foundation Board), we found ourselves gradually being distanced from the university. Several weeks ago at move-in, we had the opportunity to walk around the campus and reacquaint ourselves with the school. It was beautiful! I never had thought of State as a beautiful school.…

“Mahalo and best wishes for all you have done. You managed to turn a Cougar alum into a friend of the Wolfpack! You are a true GOAT!”

"I want to thank you for your support for the Plant Science Initiative and the construction of the NC State Plant Sciences Building. As the launch director for this project, I knew that we had to "get it right" for someone who knew something about plants and interdisciplinary collaboration. I am confident that the students and their research that emerges from this initiative will change the world for the better."

"When my daughter was a freshman at NC State, I emailed the chancellor, never expecting to hear back. But to my surprise he replied quickly and answered my questions. I was impressed then and there right from the start."

"Mr. and Mrs. Woodson, it has been an honor to have served you for the past eight years. We have enjoyed working for you and your dear wife Susan. We wish you the best in this new stage of your life, and we will always remember you. Once again thank you very much for the trust you gave us to work for you in your residence. We wish you the best."

"Thank you for your and Susan's commitment, service and sacrifice to NC State University. Your gifts have served humanity well."

"Thank you so much for all you’ve done for our great university! Your fundraising initiatives have helped bring in millions of dollars to make our university one of the greatest in the nation! We will miss you, but we hope you enjoy retirement in our great state, North Carolina!❤️🐺‼️ From my Wolfpack family! Susan Yates Gressel, class of ’78 Margaret Yates Glass, class of ’78 Kathy Yates Tyndall, master’s class of ’94 Timothy Tyndall, class of ’95 David Tyndall, class of ’98 Eric Gressel, class of ’06 Will Gressel, class of ’13 and master’s class of ’14"

"Thank you for all that you have done for NC State!"

"My involvement as an alum, now parent of three alumni and board member has grown more than I would ever have imagined under your tenure as chancellor, and I truly appreciate and credit your leadership for deepening not only my engagement but my love for my alma mater. You are irreplaceable. Thanks and love to you and Susan!"

"No, you didn't do it single-handedly, but your leadership empowered others and drove the synergistic growth of NC State over the last 15 years. Your departure just shy of Chancellor Caldwell's 16 years is no coincidence, and speaks to your selflessness and humility. Your shoes will be hard to fill!"

"Thank you for the tremendous leadership that you have given to NC State. I was retired before you were hired so I have observed your leadership from afar and by reading about it through email messages. I am truly proud of NC State and hope to provide two named professors in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering soon. NC State was good to me and I want to give back to it."

"You are very highly respected for doing a wonderful job for the university during your tenure. Bless you and best wishes for your future endeavors from Pittsburgh, PA."

"Thank you for your untiring dedication to the success of NC State and its community! You have led the university to new heights while faced with the "unprecedented" leadership challenge of guiding our community through the fear and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. You showed up to make freshmen feel welcome on campus; to make graduates feel excited about the wide world awaiting them; and on every day in between, helping us all understand what it means to be part of the Pack. Enjoy your well-earned retirement, and I look forward to continuing to be part of the NC State community together. Go Pack!"

"Thank you for engaging Eastern NC. New Bern loves hosting the chancellor. Happy retirement!"

"Chancellor Woodson and his wife open their beautiful home every Christmas for faculty and staff. It is always a highlight of the season for me. Dr. Woodson is the most personable, out-there for the students and staff [leader] that I've known in my 30 years at NC State. I will miss his kind, generous spirit!"

"Thanks, Chancellor Randy Woodson for your 14 years of dedicated and trailblazing service. God bless and best future endeavors to you and your family. Go Pack!"

"From the first time I saw you, I found your smile to be generous and your spirit to be infectious. In a job where academic credentials are high, you don't always find such a vibrant personality. I've been proud to call you Chancellor. Thank you for never taking yourself too seriously but being serious about our university and its students, faculty and staff. You will be missed."

"Always enjoyed hooting with ya about the last thing you’d fixed on the grill…thanks for your years of great service to NC State. All the best to ya!"

"To Mrs. Susan Woodson's husband, The Chancellor: You are such an incredible leader! You both have made an insanely positive impact on my time at NC State and your legacy will continue to positively impact the institution, community, city and beyond. I am so thankful for the time I got to spend with you both. Your retirement is well deserved!"

"Chancellor Woodson, thank you for your leadership, inclusive behavior and vision to elevate NC State! I personally appreciate the diversity that you have in your cabinet and the leadership at the institution. During your leadership, I have become more engaged and philanthropic to the university. Thank you!"

"As a member of the class of 2014 (College of Natural Resources), I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Chancellor Woodson for his service and leadership to NC State. I’ve appreciated his vision to help transform the university into one of the premier institutions in North Carolina and the country. Each time I return to campus, I feel pride in seeing its growth and always feel at home. Thank you Chancellor Woodson for everything you have done for my alma mater!"

"Randy, thank you and Susan for your outstanding service to NC State. I have enjoyed serving on the NC State Foundation Board and having the opportunity to work with you during my tenure. Lori and I thank you for your hospitality and the many fun times we have had at the Point and on campus. We wish you all the best for the future."

"Chancellor Woodson, I've thoroughly enjoyed your time at NC State. As a 2002 alumand an employee since 2006, I've seen a couple chancellors and can honestly say your impact was seen and felt across the campus. Your face became very recognizable early on in your tenure here. That means a lot to students and employees to see you out and about in the NC State community. I've been looking forward to my 20-year service award breakfast at your residence so I could meet you in person and I am saddened that I will not get to meet you personally. Your impact will be beneficial for years to…

"Chancellor Woodson and Mrs. Woodson,I am so grateful that my time at NC State was under your guidance and leadership. I wish you both the greatest happiness in all your future endeavors! Thank you for making my experience at NC State the greatest it could be!"

"From the moment I heard you speak at my son’s engineering orientation, I knew we had made the right choice for our children. Your warm personality was inviting and you were able to throw in the perfect amount of humor to connect to all, young and veteran Pack. When it came time for our second child to make a college decision, we knew that a leader with a history in horticulture was the perfect place for our plant loving daughter. Thank you for making a connection with students, parents and the PACK community. Best wishes on your retirement! Suzie Benoit (Class of 2000), Jeremy Benoit, Jack Benoit…

"Chancellor Woodson, thank you for being the greatest chancellor in this great university's history. Your guidance, dedication and decisions have given us a university that we can be proud to be a part of."

"It is sometimes difficult to find someone, in such a position as chancellor, who feels warm, authentic and as though they truly care about all members of the campus community. In my observations and brief interaction with you I found a warm, authentic, pithy and empathic leader. Thank you for your many years of service, the standard you set for being a part of our Pack and for exemplifying leadership with authenticity. Enjoy your retirement and Go Pack!!"

"You have been our most impactful chancellor. Your visionary leadership has enabled NC State to reach new heights. I am sad but know that you will enjoy a well-deserved retirement. Go Pack!"

"If it would be practical, I would first say... "Please don't leave us!!!" but I believe your decision is already firmly made. We have been so lucky to have such an inspired, competent and engaging leader. Thank you, Chancellor Woodson for all you and Susan have done for NC State and I hope your next chapter of life is similarly fulfilling. God bless you."

"Thank you for your leadership and passion! Both of you are very warm and welcoming into your home and work. Your leadership has really made strategic contributions, and sustaining changes meaning your legacy will result many generations to come."

"Randy, what can I say other than thanks for all you've done for NC State these past fourteen years. It was an honor and a privilege to serve on NC State's endowment/investment committee during much of your tenure in office and I trust "retirement" shall serve you and your lovely wife well. Here's to you, my friend; warmest possible regards."

“Simply the best 💖 Thank you for your service, passion and dedication to the Pack. Your unique way of connecting and building community will surely be missed. Wishing you all the best in your retirement! Go Pack!”

"Thank you for being there for NC State. I was overjoyed when you made the move from my alma mater Purdue University to NC State. I was also overjoyed that the late David R. Nimocks III was on the board and had a chance to speak to you and welcome you as well. I have a shared allegiance with Purdue and NC State. This certainly became an issue with the Final Four this year. Boiler Up and Back the Pack!"

"Congratulations on all that you have accomplished and what you stand for. It has been a true honor to have served under your leadership. May the years ahead be filled with new endeavors. So proud of you both!"

"Randy, my best to you and Susan. Hard to believe it's been 14 years. What a great job you have done. The university is far and away better than the way you found it...and it was in good shape then! I have always admired not just your dedication and commitment, but also your style. Very in-depth, but even-minded and even-keeled as well, something I cannot say about academia in general. It has been a delight to be associated with you and NC State over these years. Hope you and Susan enjoy the next great stage of your lives. Much success and happiness!!"

"Chancellor Woodson, I have really enjoyed my interaction with you and your family over the past few years by working at the Point. I remember going into the residence for the first time and seeing how beautiful that house is and thinking to myself, who am I going to get to maintain this house, I did not know that it came with the right people to do the job, Bobby Cross and Martha Catalan. Together they really made my job so much easier. It was good to interact with Susan Woodson and to meet your son and daughter and your grandchildren and all of the pets. I…

"Chancellor Woodson: It was my privilege to serve on various boards for 15 years during your tenure. You have, indeed, transformed NC State University into one of the very top universities in our country, and I would submit, in the world. I thought the piece the Assembly recently wrote about you was spot on. Your work to develop relationships with the General Assembly was a key to the university's success during your service. Also, I have heard it said that the sign of an effective leader is the ability to identify and recruit talent. Here again, you have excelled. Two of my favorites are Brian Sisco and…

"When you first arrived in Raleigh I was working for Holden Thorp at UNC, and I will never forget how kind you were then and when you recognized and remembered me not once but twice outside of that professional context — once at the women’s basketball tournament in Greensboro, and once in PNC Arena when you offered to let a friend and I sit in your level seats. You have been a true gift to this wonderful university, and an even bigger gift to those of us who had the pleasure of knowing you. Thank you for elevating NC State to new heights, and for bringing all…

“Chancellor Woodson, congratulations on your upcoming retirement. Hope and I extend our heartfelt thanks to you and Susan for your contributions to NC State. Your tenure has been extraordinary and your impact has been profound. You led our hugely successful capital campaign and the proceeds from this raising of resources will do a lot of good for a lot of people for a long, long time. I’ve admired greatly the way that you’ve worked with the General Assembly and won such strong legislative support for the university. For all of this and more, we’re so fortunate that you’ve been at the helm this decade and a half.…

“Randy, thank you for helping our region and state be a great place to live, learn, walk and play. Morrisville has benefited greatly from your leadership and I want to personally thank you for hosting myself and fellow elected officials over the years. I am at orientation right now for my son Ryan who begins his Wolfpack journey this fall with intended Environmental Engineering. Thanks again and all the best as you continue your life’s journey.”

"Best wishes, Chancellor, as you retire. It was an honor to work with you in Holladay Hall and to witness your vision and inspiration spread across our beautiful campus. From blueprints to the grand opening, being part of the team involved in the building of the chancellor's residence, The Point, was an extraordinary opportunity. I hope you and Susan always felt at home. Thank you and Go Pack!"

"I am so thankful for everything you have done to make NC State a better place over the last 15 years. I am grateful for all the support you have prioritized for research to make NC State the amazing, world-class university it is today. NC State makes the world better through our research, academic growth and our amazing graduates. Your leadership is a huge part of why that is true. I will genuinely miss your sharp wit and your big ideas."

"As newly dating students at NC State, my now wife and I were immediately behind you and President Obama during his visit in 2014. We are so grateful for the memory (and stellar photo we reshare every single year). We also were taking photos at the Belltower with a group of friends for graduation and knocked on the chancellor's office door to ask if he would take a photo with us — you did! It was such a wonderful way to cap our undergraduate memories at NC State. Thank you, Chancellor Woodson! You were a huge part of our NC State memories. We appreciate everything you've done…

“I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for your exceptional leadership and dedication to our university. Your vision and commitment have significantly impacted our community, and your contributions will be remembered for years to come. We will miss seeing your cheerful clip video saying, ‘Go Pack!’ with the wolfpack hand symbol. Go Pack!!”

"I thank you for your enlightened leadership of NC State University as you enter your final year of service to this great institution. I truly believe you have done more to elevate NC State into a preeminent position alongside that most prestigious colleges and universities in our nation. Our reputation and visibility has been heightened to an amazing degree, and your hand in that effort is undeniable. Your tenure as chancellor will no doubt be regarded as one of the impactful periods in the history of this institution. You have the admiration and devotion of students, faculty, staff and alumni to carry you onward after your departure.…

“Thank you for your leadership and for all you have done for our great university. Two quick memories about your leadership. When I worked at UNC, I attended an energy conference at NC State, in Hunt Library, and you were standing at the door, shaking everyone's hand. This was a bit different — and much more welcoming — than how UNC chancellors handled events...! Also, when my daughter, Lindley, '21, '23, was admitted to NC State, we posted a photo of Lindley and me (I am an '83 graduate) celebrating. Somehow, you found that post and commented on it. My daughter was so impressed and delighted! NC…

“Thank you very much for all of your hard work and effort to make NC State what it is today. This is the best this university has been in my almost 30-year time in and around NC State. The buzz that surrounds discussions with parents of children that are soon to be attending a university is great! There has been a fundamental shift away from UNC being the flagship university of North Carolina to NC State taking those honors. You and your team should be commended for your ability to do that!”

"Thank you, Dr. Woodson, for being an outstanding leader during the later years of my career at NC State. I always had confidence that you were doing your best to advance the academic mission of the university and supporting the faculty and staff to achieve our mutual goal — educating the next generation of citizens, scientists, analysts and leaders. I spent 47 years at NC State as a computer science student (BS '79, MS '83) and as a senior research associate. I retired in 2022 and still miss being on campus every day and meeting excited and smart students from all over the world!"

"As my wife, Rhoda, and I were retired when you became chancellor, our contacts with you were when we visited the campus for various events. Thank you for the comments you made when we announced our gift intentions. Thank you for always taking time to visit with us on Ag Tailgate football day. There were several chancellors during my 35 years at NC State, but you were the most dynamic and personable and grew NC State into one of the best in the nation."

"Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. I've been associated with NC State for nearly 45 years. You've been the university's most impactful leader during that time. I'll admit, I've sent up a few prayers on your behalf when a controversial or difficult situation has arisen. I've thought to myself, "Chancellor Randy is in a tough spot!" On each occasion you've provided a solution that's been right for the university, often one that I hadn't considered. Please know that you are appreciated and admired. Both my children have graduated from NC State (B.S. and MAC) during your tenure. We consider the world class education they received an incredible value."

“Randy and Susan, I can't thank you enough for the mark you have made on the entire NC State community — past, present, and future. I am incredibly proud to be a Wolfpack alum and you have led with brains, humanity and heart! Warmest wishes, Nora Gardner and Matthew Kirtland.”

“I am Woo Seung Kim, who received my Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from MAE in 1989 and served as the 15th President of Hanyang University in Korea. I met Chancellor Woodson when he visited Korea while I was working as the secretary of the NC State Korea Alumni Association. Chancellor Woodson selected me as the first recipient of the Distinguished Global Alumni Award. He presented me with the award at the NC State Korea Alumni Association meeting on October 18, 2019, during his second visit to Korea. I am so grateful to Chancellor Woodson. The accomplishments Chancellor Woodson has made while serving as the NC State chancellor…

"Randy, during your tenure with the university, we have seen so many significant improvements — too many to list here. I seriously thank you for this and allowing me to join you on this ride to success through the Board of Visitors. Susan and you should enjoy absorbing the accolades coming your way and reflect on the impact you have had on the lives you have impacted. I will miss our monthly calls and your humor in describing what was happening around the university. Now it is time for the two of you to transition into retirement, and I know your service to the community will continue…

“Randy and Susan, I will address this note to both of you as I know that Susan had no small role in the transformation both of you helped bring to NC State. One of the honors of my life was participating on your search committee. While the entire committee was strongly positive about you becoming the next chancellor, I do not think we suspected how much change and transformation you would bring to the university. There are many things I could talk about that you have done — fundraising success, improved graduation rates, a highly effective management team, etc. — but I want to focus on one…

“As a former student, adjunct faculty and staff member, I cannot thank you enough for how much pride and stability you have brought to NC State! Your presence will be long appreciated. Wishing you a fulfilling, restful retirement! We (alumni) cannot thank you enough for all the time and energy you put into raising NC State's profile.”

"Chancellor, thank you so much for your leadership to NC State. You have been a tremendous asset to NC State and to the community. If Curtis were here, he would join me in wishing you and Susan the very best in your retirement, and we say you have made the Wolfpack proud. May this next year be a continuation of good things."

"I thank you for making the years between when I met you the first day in the Park Alumni Center until now some of the best of my career. You saw this university had great potential and helped us achieve it. Nearing 50 years here, I applaud all you have achieved in the last 14 and look forward to working with you to see what happens in year 15."

"Thank you, Randy and Susan Woodson, for all that you have done for NC State. It has been a pleasure to attend events and know that you at least recognize me. You are going to be missed! When I received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Sciences, I also received an NC State Football in a case and signed by the chancellor. The notation in it said, 'Nancy, thanks for your support! Randy Woodson.' It sits where I see it several times a day."

"Wow, I didn't realize my retirement after 23 years with the Computer Science department would open the floodgates on key leaders leaving the university. Mladen Vouk, Dan Stancel and now you, just to name a few! Seriously, it has been an honor and pleasure working under your leadership! As an alumnus, I've never been prouder of my alma mater. You are, by far, the very best chancellor this university has ever had. While your departure will be felt and you will leave some very big shoes to fill, you have also created an incredible platform for the next chancellor to use as a springboard to even greater…