Vice Provost Katharine Stewart to Shave Head (Seriously) if Faculty/Staff Donations to Student Emergency Fund Hit $25K by May 15

If NC State’s associate deans for academic affairs and others raise $25,000 for the university’s Student Emergency Fund before Friday, May 15, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Katharine Stewart will shave her head. That’s right — she will record the shaving of her head and will make the video available to the campus community.

“As a former associate dean for academic affairs (ADAA), I know how hard these folks have been working to support students during the pandemic,” said Stewart. “As we entered exam week, the ADAAs were thinking a lot about the emergency needs of our students —- many have lost jobs or financial support during the COVID-19 crisis or have had unexpected expenses associated with it.”

The Student Emergency Fund helps students facing new and overwhelming challenges in the face of COVID-19. To date, faculty, staff, alumni and other friends of the university have donated more than $1.1 million to the fund, and this new challenge will help out even more. At this point, the Student Emergency Fund is distributing $25,000 per day in small grants to help students stay afloat and on track academically.

Support for the Student Emergency Fund is needed now more than ever before, and many have already stepped up to the challenge. ADAAs are raising funds in their own colleges, with each ADAA offering their own “bonus” for meeting their college’s subgoal. For example, Deanna Dannels, ADAA in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, will dye her hair a color chosen by the CHASS community if the college meets their goal. Jerome Lavelle, ADAA in the College of Engineering and Wilson College of Textiles, has also promised to shave his head if each of those colleges reach their fundraising goals.

“I hope everyone will consider supporting the students of NC State through the Student Emergency Fund,” said Stewart. “Our students are amazing individuals doing great things, and I’m very happy to do something to help them out.”

Here is the general link for making a donation. Each college has their own giving link, and those interested in giving through those specific links should contact their respective ADAA. Please note: If you’d like to donate via check or payroll deduction, contact Adam Compton in Annual Giving at agcompto@ncsu.edu and he can help you get your donation credited to the effort.