The launch of Poole CollegE’s new Dean’s Circle brings together passionate Poole supporters with a desire to give where it matters most to them — while also helping Poole carve a strategic path to the top ranks of the country’s most successful business schools.

With tens of thousands of alumni and stakeholders, Poole’s vast network of supporters have different passions and areas of interest. The Dean’s Circle meets donors where they are, offering focused giving opportunities through annual gifts of $5,000 and above to select college-wide and departmental funds.

“When we look across the nation’s top business schools, these schools have a high volume of support from alumni and external stakeholders,” says Frank Buckless, Stephen P. Zelnak Jr. Dean of Poole College. “The Dean’s Circle establishes that within Poole in a meaningful way.”

There’s power in the precision of the program, according to Brian Clark, executive director of philanthropy for Poole College. A $5,000 gift to the General Scholarship Fund can provide critical support that helps a student with financial need complete his or her degree. 

That idea matters to Jim Stewart (MBA ‘09), who chose to focus his support on scholarships. As someone who recognizes and is grateful for the professional rewards his own Poole experience provided, Stewart says he wants to help other students realize their goals.

“I believe that a strong scholarship base of funds helps the college to maintain a multifaceted group of qualified students.” —Jim Stewart (MBA ‘09)

“I believe that a strong scholarship base of funds helps the college to maintain a diverse group of qualified students and helps assist students who are qualified but who may lack the funds required for attendance,” he says.

Other opportunities for support vary widely, so Poole supporters can give where it matters most to them. That same $5,000 amount toward the Global Programs Scholarship Fund might mean the difference between a student staying home or embarking on their first international experience. The High-Impact Experiences Fund supports everything from student case competitions at prestigious universities to practicum experiences where students tackle real-world business challenges.

That spoke to Dean’s Circle members Randall and Catherine Pooler. The couple are proud Pack parents, and Randall is a 1993 alum with a degree in economics and business management.

“I’m a huge proponent of hands-on, real-world experiences for students,” Randall Pooler says. “I want to make sure that students who want to have these experiences have the support and resources that they need.”

Donors could also choose to support an array of other funds that cover areas from mental health services for students to academic departments that help compensate peer tutors or send faculty to cutting-edge AI training.

For Elizabeth Murray (B.S. Accounting ‘99, MAC ‘00), being a member of the Dean’s Circle reflects a desire to give back, to support the future of her own profession, accounting, and to come together as one Poole community.

“My contribution to the Dean’s Circle wasn’t large, but if everyone gave something, we could make a huge difference.” —Elizabeth Murray (B.S. Accounting ‘99, MAC ‘00)

“I want every student who wishes to pursue a degree in accounting to have the opportunity to go to college,” she says. “My contribution to the Dean’s Circle wasn’t large, but if everyone gave something, we could make a huge difference.”

In addition to directly impacting Poole and its students, the idea of bringing together a community speaks to another valuable component of the Dean’s Circle.

“There’s the impact and then there’s the connectivity within the Dean’s Circle,” Clark says. “The program connects like-minded supporters who share an affinity for Poole and our mission to develop business leaders at NC State.”

“There’s the impact and then there’s the connectivity within the Dean’s Circle.” —Brian Clark

Brooks Deaton (B.S. Business Management ’03) echoes that sentiment. He says support from alumni and friends coming together means Poole can move faster in expanding scholarships, attracting top faculty, and bringing real-world experiences to the classroom.

“Joining the Dean’s Circle is a simple way to turn gratitude for my own Poole experience into momentum for the college,” Deaton says. “I’d tell anyone on the fence that your gift goes farther at Poole because it brings together a community of future Pack leaders.”

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