{"id":511056,"date":"2021-02-24T12:23:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-24T17:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/?p=511056"},"modified":"2021-09-03T11:32:46","modified_gmt":"2021-09-03T15:32:46","slug":"the-gift-of-a-lifetime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/the-gift-of-a-lifetime\/","title":{"rendered":"The Gift of a LifeTime"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>By Caroline Barnhill<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-lead wp-block-paragraph\">On a cold morning in December 2010, Nelson Auditorium was filled with students, faculty, staff, community members, college supporters and local reporters as a historic gift was announced. Lonnie C. Poole, Jr., founder of Waste Industries, and his wife, Carol Johnson Poole, shared their intent to donate $40 million to the university \u2013\u2013 $37 million of which was designated to fund an endowment to support the College of Management, now named the Lonnie C. Poole Jr. College of Management.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-sandwich-narrative with-image\"><div class=\"ncst-sandwich-narrative\"><div class=\"sandwich-narrative__image-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\" class=\"sandwich-narrative__image wp-image-511058\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/Lonnie-and-Carol-Poole-1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/Lonnie-and-Carol-Poole-1.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/Lonnie-and-Carol-Poole-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/Lonnie-and-Carol-Poole-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/Lonnie-and-Carol-Poole-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/div><div class=\"sandwich-narrative__text-container\"><h2 class=\"sandwich-narrative__heading\">Lonnie and Carol Poole<\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lonnie Poole, a 1959 graduate of the&nbsp;NC State College of Engineering, is the founder and retired CEO and chairman of Waste Industries USA, a leading provider of solid waste and recycling collection services. Poole founded the Environmental Research and Education Foundation and served as director of its board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-collapsible-more ncst-collapsible-more\"><div class=\"collapsible-more__collapsed-content-container collapse panel-collapse \" id=\"collapsible-more-0\" aria-labelledby=\"collapsible-more-heading-0\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Poole has served as chairman of the NC State University Foundation Board, the Board of Trustees of the Endowment Fund and the Dean\u2019s Advisory Board of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Carol Johnson Poole attended Meredith University and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is president of the Lonnie and Carol Poole Family Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lonnie and Carol Poole are co-chairs of the Campaign for NC State.<\/p>\n<\/div><a class=\"collapsible-more__interaction-cta collapsed\" href=\"#collapsible-more-0\" id=\"collapsible-more-heading-0\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapsible-more-0\"><span class=\"collapsible-more__expansion-indicator\"><span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"collapsible-more__text\">Expand to read more<\/span><span class=\"collapsible-more__text-collapse\">Collapse<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The endowment was the largest gift given to NC State in school history, and, in an interview with the <em>Triangle Business Journal<\/em>, Chancellor Randy Woodson shared it would \u201celevate our ability to have one of the most competitive business colleges in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They were prophetic words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOver the past 10 years, Poole College has experienced tremendous growth, not only in rankings &#8211; including as one of the top schools for entrepreneurship across the country \u2013\u2013 but also in our ability to attract and retain exceptionally talented faculty members and students,\u201d says Frank Buckless, dean of the Poole College of Management. \u201cThe generosity and vision of Lonnie and Carol Poole provided our college with the resources to deepen our impact through transformative research and practical student experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2011<\/strong>: Jenkins MBA Program established<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2015<\/strong>: The Entrepreneurship Clinic is established<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2015<\/strong>: Business Sustainability Collaborative is established<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2015<\/strong>: McLauchlan Leadership Series for Jenkins MBA students is established<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2016<\/strong>: Honors Analytics Program for undergraduate students is created<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2019<\/strong>: Jenkins Online Master of Accounting program is established<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2019<\/strong>: Poole Leadership Program for all undergraduate students is established<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2019<\/strong>: The Office of Global Programs is expanded to college-wide<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2020<\/strong>: Business Analytics and AI Initiative is established<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2020<\/strong>: The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is elevated to the college-level<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2021<\/strong>: Master of Management in Marketing Analytics will be launched<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThese significant undertakings, which have impacted the lives of thousands of students, faculty and business professionals, would simply not have been possible without the Poole endowment,\u201d Buckless says. \u201cBeyond new programs and initiatives, we have been able to support faculty research and launch our Poole Thought Leadership website that puts faculty knowledge and research into actionable insights for our broader community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the endowment has touched a multitude of areas across the college, two key disciplines &#8211; entrepreneurship and sustainability \u2013\u2013 were personally chosen by the Pooles as critical for the college\u2019s future success.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Blazing Trails in Entrepreneurship<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are few disciplines across the college that show the impact of the Poole gift as much as its entrepreneurship program. The growth of the program has drastically increased over the last decade to not only impact Poole students, but also students from every one of NC State\u2019s 12 colleges. Lewis Sheats, assistant vice provost for entrepreneurship, says the launch of the college\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurshipclinic.ncsu.edu\/\">Entrepreneurship Clinic<\/a> in 2015 has made widespread impact not only on our students, but also companies across the country who choose to partner with the Poole College in hopes of accessing the next great entrepreneurial minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe E-Clinic, which is housed in start-up hotspot Raleigh Founded (formerly known as HQ Raleigh) has allowed us to really embed ourselves within the entrepreneurial ecosystem,\u201d explains Sheats, who also serves as the clinic\u2019s executive director. \u201cWe now have greater engagements with business partners, which has led to increased recruitment of our students, and even a cyclical effect where we see our alumni come back with new projects for our current E-Clinic students to work on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-widget default right-aside\"><blockquote class=\"has-custombg-one-text-color wp-block-ncst-pullquote\">\n  <div class=\"pullquote-container\">\n    <p class=\"pullquote-content\"><strong>16 % of undergraduate students across campus take at least one class in entrepreneurship.<\/strong><\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In measuring the program\u2019s success, Lewis also points to the growth of students interested in entrepreneurship across the university. Currently, 16 percent of undergraduate students across campus take at least one class in entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen I started applying the clinical model of entrepreneurship to teaching in 2008, you might find two or three students who were not in the business school in my classes,\u201d he says. \u201cToday, about half the students involved in our entrepreneurship program are from other areas across the university \u2013\u2013 from engineering to agriculture to textiles. Our teams are now stronger because the students bring with them different skillsets and backgrounds. They think differently from one another and learn to collaborate as a team, which is exactly what they\u2019ll be doing in the real world.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sheats credits the Poole family for serving as a \u201cnorthstar,\u201d guiding the college to create a more structured and collaborative approach to entrepreneurship \u2013\u2013 and it\u2019s paying off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, the university\u2019s undergraduate and graduate entrepreneurship programs are ranked in the <a href=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/news\/2020\/11\/17\/2021-princeton-review-rankings-reflect-university-wide-entrepreneurship-efforts\/\">top 20 of schools nationwide<\/a>, according to recent Princeton Review rankings. While pleased with the rankings, Sheats is quick to point out that the program\u2019s work is not done in pursuit of rankings, but rather in equipping the next generation of entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe see rankings as just one way to validate the hard work we are doing within the college. However, we recognize that these rankings bring increased awareness of our program not only to prospective students, but also to top companies looking to partner with us,\u201d Sheats says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And while the program continues to grow year after year, Sheats isn\u2019t done yet.<\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"has-custombg-one-text-color wp-block-ncst-pullquote\">\n  <div class=\"pullquote-container\">\n    <p class=\"pullquote-content\">Ten years ago, maybe 50 students within the college participated in an entrepreneurship class each semester \u2013\u2013 today it\u2019s more than 1,000 each year. Over the next five years, I want to expand that even more so that each student at Poole College participates in an entrepreneurship class or program.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m an entrepreneur at heart so of course I always want to keep moving. Ten years ago, maybe 50 students within the college participated in an entrepreneurship class each semester \u2013\u2013 today it\u2019s more than 1,000 each year. Over the next five years, I want to expand that even more so that each student at Poole College participates in an entrepreneurship class or program,\u201d Sheats says. \u201cWe\u2019re also working to create more company spin-offs through our E-Clinic, while graduating an entrepreneurial-minded workforce equipped to lead these spin-offs alongside partner companies. We\u2019re going to keep doing what we\u2019re doing, while also figuring out how to push the bar even further.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-highlight with-image\"><h2 class=\"highlight__label\">Related<\/h2><a href=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/meet-poole-entrepreneurs\/\" class=\"highlight__link\" data-ua-cat=\"Highlight Block\" data-ua-action=\"Story Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/meet-poole-entrepreneurs\/\"><div class=\"highlight__image-container\"><div class=\"highlight__image-background\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\" class=\"highlight__image wp-image-2523\" src=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2020\/09\/Sani-1-2.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2020\/09\/Sani-1-2.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2020\/09\/Sani-1-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2020\/09\/Sani-1-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2020\/09\/Sani-1-2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"highlight__text-container\"><h3 class=\"highlight__heading\">Meet Our Entrepreneurs<br><\/h3><p class=\"highlight__teaser\">Explore four start-up companies chosen to complete the Andrews Launch Accelerator summer program.<\/p><p class=\"highlight__cta\">Read <span class=\"nowrap\">More\u00a0<span class=\"arrow-indicator\"> <svg class=\"wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"false\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg> <\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/aside>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Shining a Spotlight on Business Sustainability<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When <a href=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/people\/jothomas\/\">Jessica Yinka Thomas<\/a> came on board at Poole College in 2013, she brought with her years of experience working domestically and internationally in sustainable enterprise, social innovation and business development, as well as expertise leading sustainability focused academic initiatives at UNC\u2019s Kenan Flagler Business School and Duke\u2019s Pratt School of Engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen I joined Poole, there was already an incredible amount of work being done in the area of sustainability within the college, but what the Poole\u2019s gift allowed us to do was bring together that existing research, teaching and engagement work under a more formal initiative \u2013\u2013 the <a href=\"https:\/\/bsc.poole.ncsu.edu\/\">Business Sustainability Collaborative<\/a> (BSC) and build from there,\u201d Thomas explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The investment, she says, was a timely one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFrom everything we\u2019re seeing in the business world, the purpose of business has shifted from merely one of product or service creation and profitability, to instead one that creates value for its customers, shareholders and employees and benefits the communities in which companies operate, while also minimizing its impact on the environment,\u201d Thomas says. \u201cMore and more businesses are seeking to adopt sustainable business practices, but are unsure of how to go about it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In response, Poole College is on the frontlines creating the next generation of professionals capable of using business as a force for good.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-widget default left-aside\"><blockquote class=\"has-custombg-one-text-color wp-block-ncst-pullquote\">\n  <div class=\"pullquote-container\">\n    <p class=\"pullquote-content\"><strong>27% of Poole faculty are teaching sustainability within their courses.<\/strong><\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since the inception of the BSC, Thomas and others have worked to engage faculty across disciplines to strategically embed sustainability into their curriculum within Poole\u2019s undergraduate, MBA and MAC programs. Today, twenty-seven percent of Poole faculty are teaching sustainability within their <a href=\"https:\/\/bsc.poole.ncsu.edu\/student-opportunities\/courses\/\">courses<\/a> \u2013\u2013 touching issues such as labor and human rights within the supply chain, impact investing in finance, conscious consumer behavior in marketing and other strategies to incorporate sustainable business practices.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-widget default right-aside\"><blockquote class=\"has-custombg-one-text-color wp-block-ncst-pullquote\">\n  <div class=\"pullquote-container\">\n    <p class=\"pullquote-content\">329 students worked on 68 projects with companies around the world via the B Corp Clinic.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs part of the clinic, we\u2019ve engaged 329 students and worked on 68 projects with companies around the world \u2013\u2013 from tech startups to multi-national corporations \u2013\u2013 allowing these companies to connect with our students to improve their social and environmental impact,\u201d Thomas says. \u201cDue to the program\u2019s success, other academic institutions like the University of Florida, the University of Georgia and the University of New Hampshire, are replicating the model we created. Poole College is truly an innovator in this space of creating experiential learning opportunities for students, and allowing them to apply what they\u2019re learning in the classroom within a real-world setting that makes an actual impact on real businesses.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"has-custombg-one-text-color wp-block-ncst-pullquote\">\n  <div class=\"pullquote-container\">\n    <p class=\"pullquote-content\">Due to the program\u2019s success, other academic institutions like the University of Florida, the University of Georgia and the University of New Hampshire, are replicating the model we created. Poole College is truly an innovator in this space of creating experiential learning opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">B Corp certification has fast-become a coveted designation for businesses across the world, held by major companies such as Patagonia, Athleta and New Belgium Brewing, and Thomas believes it\u2019s the future of business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTwenty years down the road, you won&#8217;t be able to successfully operate a business without also discussing how your business is addressing environmental and social impacts,\u201d Thomas explains. \u201cYou\u2019ll also need to be able to demonstrate and quantify how you\u2019re doing that \u2013\u2013 which is what makes the B Corp certification so valuable.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The college\u2019s work within the sustainability space has made it a thought leader amongst other universities around the world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Four years ago, Thomas co-founded <a href=\"https:\/\/bsc.poole.ncsu.edu\/b-corporations\/b-academics\/\">B Academics<\/a> to advance the state of academic study into business as a force for good. Today, it is a global network of more than 2,000 educators and researchers from over 50 countries who have published more than 200 research papers related to B Corps. NC State Poole College is one of the organization\u2019s founding academic institutions and Thomas serves as the organization\u2019s president and board chair.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"has-custombg-one-text-color wp-block-ncst-pullquote\">\n  <div class=\"pullquote-container\">\n    <p class=\"pullquote-content\">Through their generosity, the Pooles have already impacted thousands of students who will be uniquely equipped to lead in this new, and critically important, era of business using business as an engine to drive social and environmental change, as well as bottom-line financial value.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSustainability is so important in a business environment because it\u2019s one of the few areas that truly cuts across disciplines,\u201d Thomas says. \u201cThrough their generosity, the Pooles have already impacted thousands of students who will be uniquely equipped to lead in this new, and critically important, era of business using business as an engine to drive social and environmental change, as well as bottom-line financial value.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-related-stories\"><h2 class=\"related-stories__label\">Related<\/h2><div class=\"ncst-component__related-stories-container\"><a \n      href=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/news\/2017\/03\/31\/faculty-integrate-sustainability-in-business-courses-2\/\"\n      class=\"ncst-component__bold-link text-link\"\n                >\n    <span class=\"text\">Faculty Integrate Sustainability In Business Courses<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n    <\/a>\n  \n\n<a \n      href=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/news\/2018\/04\/20\/b-corp-clinic-gives-students-experience-while-helping-businesses-achieve-goals\/\"\n      class=\"ncst-component__bold-link text-link\"\n                >\n    <span class=\"text\">B Corp Clinic Gives Students Experience While Helping Businesses Achieve Goals<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-highlight with-image\"><h2 class=\"highlight__label\">For the Pack.<\/h2><a href=\"https:\/\/dayofgiving.ncsu.edu\/\" class=\"highlight__link\" data-ua-cat=\"Highlight Block\" data-ua-action=\"Story Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/dayofgiving.ncsu.edu\/\"><div class=\"highlight__image-container\"><div class=\"highlight__image-background\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"843\" class=\"highlight__image wp-image-511318\" alt=\"DOG\" src=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DoG-facebookcoverphoto-1640x922-03-1-e1614180984131.jpg\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"highlight__text-container\"><h3 class=\"highlight__heading\">#GivingPack<\/h3><p class=\"highlight__teaser\">No matter what we face, we\u2019ll carry on with our work and our mission. But it\u2019s not business as usual. Each day at NC State, we strive for more: greater opportunity, increased educational access, bolder visions and leading-edge research<\/p><p class=\"highlight__cta\">Join us on March <span class=\"nowrap\">24\u00a0<span class=\"arrow-indicator\"> <svg class=\"wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"false\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg> <\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-magazine-preview  wp-block-ncst-magazine-preview has-reynolds-400-background-color\">\n    <h2 class=\"magazine-preview__heading\">More from Spring 2021<\/h2>\n          <p class=\"magazine-preview__teaser\">Due to industry demand, Poole College will launch the Master of Management in Marketing Analytics Program in Fall 2021.<\/p>\n    \n    <div class=\"magazine-preview__stories-container\">\n      <a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card \"\n    href=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/introducing-the-poole-podcast\/\"\n  >\n  \n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\"\n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-&lt;img width=&quot;1497&quot; height=&quot;844&quot; src=&quot;https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC01209.jpg&quot; class=&quot;attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image&quot; alt=&quot;Poole Podcast&quot; srcset=&quot;https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC01209.jpg 1497w, https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC01209-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC01209-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC01209-768x433.jpg 768w&quot; sizes=&quot;(max-width: 1497px) 100vw, 1497px&quot; \/&gt;\"\n            alt=\"\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC01209.jpg\"\n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n          \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Introducing the Poole Podcast<\/h3>\n              \n\n              \n\t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\"><span class=\"text\">The Poole Podcast will share research and ideas from inside the classroom from NC State faculty and explore how it\u2019s being used in industry. <\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-light\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-light\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n\t      \t    \n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n<a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card \"\n    href=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/a-new-world-of-marketing\/\"\n  >\n  \n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\"\n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-&lt;img width=&quot;1500&quot; height=&quot;844&quot; src=&quot;https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC01140.jpg&quot; class=&quot;attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image&quot; alt=&quot;Students&quot; srcset=&quot;https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC01140.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC01140-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC01140-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC01140-768x432.jpg 768w&quot; sizes=&quot;(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px&quot; \/&gt;\"\n            alt=\"\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC01140.jpg\"\n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n          \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">A New World of Marketing<\/h3>\n              \n\n              \n\t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\"><span class=\"text\">Due to industry demand, Poole College will launch the Master of Management in Marketing Analytics Program in Fall 2021.<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-light\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-light\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n\t      \t    \n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n<a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card \"\n    href=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/making-an-impact\/\"\n  >\n  \n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\"\n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-&lt;img width=&quot;1500&quot; height=&quot;844&quot; src=&quot;https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC03828.jpg&quot; class=&quot;attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image&quot; alt=&quot;Dean Frank Buckless&quot; srcset=&quot;https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC03828.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC03828-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC03828-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC03828-768x432.jpg 768w&quot; sizes=&quot;(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px&quot; \/&gt;\"\n            alt=\"\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DSC03828.jpg\"\n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n          \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">From the Dean: Making an Impact<\/h3>\n              \n\n              \n\t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\"><span class=\"text\">From launching new initiatives in the college to welcoming senior leaders, Dean Buckless shares key updates on the college&#8217;s strategic framework.<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-light\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-light\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n\t      \t    \n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/issues\/spring-2021\/\" class=\"magazine-preview__link\">\n          <span class=\"text\">See all in current issue<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span>\n        <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n","protected":false,"raw":"<!-- wp:ncst\/dynamic-header -->\n<!-- wp:ncst\/default-immersive-post-header \/-->\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/dynamic-header -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><em>By Caroline Barnhill<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"className\":\"is-style-lead\"} -->\n<p class=\"is-style-lead\">On a cold morning in December 2010, Nelson Auditorium was filled with students, faculty, staff, community members, college supporters and local reporters as a historic gift was announced. Lonnie C. Poole, Jr., founder of Waste Industries, and his wife, Carol Johnson Poole, shared their intent to donate $40 million to the university \u2013\u2013 $37 million of which was designated to fund an endowment to support the College of Management, now named the Lonnie C. Poole Jr. College of Management.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/sandwich-narrative {\"heading\":\"Lonnie and Carol Poole\",\"imageID\":511058,\"imageURL\":\"https:\\\/\\\/poole.ncsu.edu\\\/magazine\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/29\\\/2021\\\/02\\\/Lonnie-and-Carol-Poole-1.jpg\",\"imageAlt\":\"\"} -->\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-sandwich-narrative with-image\"><div class=\"ncst-sandwich-narrative\"><div class=\"sandwich-narrative__image-container\"><img class=\"sandwich-narrative__image wp-image-511058\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/Lonnie-and-Carol-Poole-1.jpg\" \/><\/div><div class=\"sandwich-narrative__text-container\"><h2 class=\"sandwich-narrative__heading\">Lonnie and Carol Poole<\/h2><!-- wp:ncst\/text-heading-section -->\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Lonnie Poole, a 1959 graduate of the&nbsp;NC State College of Engineering, is the founder and retired CEO and chairman of Waste Industries USA, a leading provider of solid waste and recycling collection services. Poole founded the Environmental Research and Education Foundation and served as director of its board.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/text-heading-section -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/collapsible-more {\"instanceID\":0} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-collapsible-more ncst-collapsible-more\"><div class=\"collapsible-more__collapsed-content-container collapse panel-collapse \" id=\"collapsible-more-0\" aria-labelledby=\"collapsible-more-heading-0\"><!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Poole has served as chairman of the NC State University Foundation Board, the Board of Trustees of the Endowment Fund and the Dean\u2019s Advisory Board of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Carol Johnson Poole attended Meredith University and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is president of the Lonnie and Carol Poole Family Foundation.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Lonnie and Carol Poole are co-chairs of the Campaign for NC State.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/div><a class=\"collapsible-more__interaction-cta collapsed\" href=\"#collapsible-more-0\" id=\"collapsible-more-heading-0\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#collapsible-more-0\"><span class=\"collapsible-more__expansion-indicator\"><span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"collapsible-more__text\">Expand to read more<\/span><span class=\"collapsible-more__text-collapse\">Collapse<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/collapsible-more --><\/div><\/div><\/aside>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/sandwich-narrative -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The endowment was the largest gift given to NC State in school history, and, in an interview with the <em>Triangle Business Journal<\/em>, Chancellor Randy Woodson shared it would \u201celevate our ability to have one of the most competitive business colleges in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>They were prophetic words.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cOver the past 10 years, Poole College has experienced tremendous growth, not only in rankings - including as one of the top schools for entrepreneurship across the country \u2013\u2013 but also in our ability to attract and retain exceptionally talented faculty members and students,\u201d says Frank Buckless, dean of the Poole College of Management. \u201cThe generosity and vision of Lonnie and Carol Poole provided our college with the resources to deepen our impact through transformative research and practical student experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2011<\/strong>: Jenkins MBA Program established<\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2015<\/strong>: The Entrepreneurship Clinic is established<\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2015<\/strong>: Business Sustainability Collaborative is established<\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2015<\/strong>: McLauchlan Leadership Series for Jenkins MBA students is established<\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2016<\/strong>: Honors Analytics Program for undergraduate students is created<\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2019<\/strong>: Jenkins Online Master of Accounting program is established<\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2019<\/strong>: Poole Leadership Program for all undergraduate students is established<\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2019<\/strong>: The Office of Global Programs is expanded to college-wide<\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2020<\/strong>: Business Analytics and AI Initiative is established<\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2020<\/strong>: The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is elevated to the college-level<\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>2021<\/strong>: Master of Management in Marketing Analytics will be launched<\/li><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cThese significant undertakings, which have impacted the lives of thousands of students, faculty and business professionals, would simply not have been possible without the Poole endowment,\u201d Buckless says. \u201cBeyond new programs and initiatives, we have been able to support faculty research and launch our Poole Thought Leadership website that puts faculty knowledge and research into actionable insights for our broader community.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>While the endowment has touched a multitude of areas across the college, two key disciplines - entrepreneurship and sustainability \u2013\u2013 were personally chosen by the Pooles as critical for the college\u2019s future success.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2><strong>Blazing Trails in Entrepreneurship<\/strong><\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>There are few disciplines across the college that show the impact of the Poole gift as much as its entrepreneurship program. The growth of the program has drastically increased over the last decade to not only impact Poole students, but also students from every one of NC State\u2019s 12 colleges. Lewis Sheats, assistant vice provost for entrepreneurship, says the launch of the college\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/entrepreneurshipclinic.ncsu.edu\/\">Entrepreneurship Clinic<\/a> in 2015 has made widespread impact not only on our students, but also companies across the country who choose to partner with the Poole College in hopes of accessing the next great entrepreneurial minds.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cThe E-Clinic, which is housed in start-up hotspot Raleigh Founded (formerly known as HQ Raleigh) has allowed us to really embed ourselves within the entrepreneurial ecosystem,\u201d explains Sheats, who also serves as the clinic\u2019s executive director. \u201cWe now have greater engagements with business partners, which has led to increased recruitment of our students, and even a cyclical effect where we see our alumni come back with new projects for our current E-Clinic students to work on.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/aside-widget -->\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-widget default right-aside\"><!-- wp:ncst\/pullquote {\"value\":\"\\u003cstrong\\u003e16 % of undergraduate students across campus take at least one class in entrepreneurship.\\u003c\\\/strong\\u003e\"} -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-red-400-text-color\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\"><strong>16 % of undergraduate students across campus take at least one class in entrepreneurship.<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/pullquote --><\/aside>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/aside-widget -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In measuring the program\u2019s success, Lewis also points to the growth of students interested in entrepreneurship across the university. Currently, 16 percent of undergraduate students across campus take at least one class in entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cWhen I started applying the clinical model of entrepreneurship to teaching in 2008, you might find two or three students who were not in the business school in my classes,\u201d he says. \u201cToday, about half the students involved in our entrepreneurship program are from other areas across the university \u2013\u2013 from engineering to agriculture to textiles. Our teams are now stronger because the students bring with them different skillsets and backgrounds. They think differently from one another and learn to collaborate as a team, which is exactly what they\u2019ll be doing in the real world.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Sheats credits the Poole family for serving as a \u201cnorthstar,\u201d guiding the college to create a more structured and collaborative approach to entrepreneurship \u2013\u2013 and it\u2019s paying off.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Today, the university\u2019s undergraduate and graduate entrepreneurship programs are ranked in the <a href=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/news\/2020\/11\/17\/2021-princeton-review-rankings-reflect-university-wide-entrepreneurship-efforts\/\">top 20 of schools nationwide<\/a>, according to recent Princeton Review rankings. While pleased with the rankings, Sheats is quick to point out that the program\u2019s work is not done in pursuit of rankings, but rather in equipping the next generation of entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cWe see rankings as just one way to validate the hard work we are doing within the college. However, we recognize that these rankings bring increased awareness of our program not only to prospective students, but also to top companies looking to partner with us,\u201d Sheats says.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>And while the program continues to grow year after year, Sheats isn\u2019t done yet.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/pullquote {\"value\":\"Ten years ago, maybe 50 students within the college participated in an entrepreneurship class each semester \\u2013\\u2013 today it\\u2019s more than 1,000 each year. Over the next five years, I want to expand that even more so that each student at Poole College participates in an entrepreneurship class or program.\"} -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-red-400-text-color\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\">Ten years ago, maybe 50 students within the college participated in an entrepreneurship class each semester \u2013\u2013 today it\u2019s more than 1,000 each year. Over the next five years, I want to expand that even more so that each student at Poole College participates in an entrepreneurship class or program.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/pullquote -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m an entrepreneur at heart so of course I always want to keep moving. Ten years ago, maybe 50 students within the college participated in an entrepreneurship class each semester \u2013\u2013 today it\u2019s more than 1,000 each year. Over the next five years, I want to expand that even more so that each student at Poole College participates in an entrepreneurship class or program,\u201d Sheats says. \u201cWe\u2019re also working to create more company spin-offs through our E-Clinic, while graduating an entrepreneurial-minded workforce equipped to lead these spin-offs alongside partner companies. We\u2019re going to keep doing what we\u2019re doing, while also figuring out how to push the bar even further.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/highlight {\"teaser\":\"Explore four start-up companies chosen to complete the Andrews Launch Accelerator summer program.\",\"callToAction\":\"Read More\",\"imageID\":2523} -->\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-highlight with-image\"><h2 class=\"highlight__label\">Related<\/h2><a href=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/meet-poole-entrepreneurs\/\" class=\"highlight__link\" data-ua-cat=\"Highlight Block\" data-ua-action=\"Story Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/meet-poole-entrepreneurs\/\"><div class=\"highlight__image-container\"><div class=\"highlight__image-background\"><img class=\"highlight__image wp-image-2523\" src=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2020\/09\/Sani-1-2.jpg\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"highlight__text-container\"><h3 class=\"highlight__heading\">Meet Our Entrepreneurs<br><\/h3><p class=\"highlight__teaser\">Explore four start-up companies chosen to complete the Andrews Launch Accelerator summer program.<\/p><p class=\"highlight__cta\">Read <span class=\"nowrap\">More\u00a0<span class=\"arrow-indicator\"> <svg class=\"wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"false\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg> <\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/aside>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/highlight -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2><strong>Shining a Spotlight on Business Sustainability<\/strong><\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>When <a href=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/people\/jothomas\/\">Jessica Yinka Thomas<\/a> came on board at Poole College in 2013, she brought with her years of experience working domestically and internationally in sustainable enterprise, social innovation and business development, as well as expertise leading sustainability focused academic initiatives at UNC\u2019s Kenan Flagler Business School and Duke\u2019s Pratt School of Engineering.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cWhen I joined Poole, there was already an incredible amount of work being done in the area of sustainability within the college, but what the Poole\u2019s gift allowed us to do was bring together that existing research, teaching and engagement work under a more formal initiative \u2013\u2013 the <a href=\"https:\/\/bsc.poole.ncsu.edu\/\">Business Sustainability Collaborative<\/a> (BSC) and build from there,\u201d Thomas explains.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The investment, she says, was a timely one.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cFrom everything we\u2019re seeing in the business world, the purpose of business has shifted from merely one of product or service creation and profitability, to instead one that creates value for its customers, shareholders and employees and benefits the communities in which companies operate, while also minimizing its impact on the environment,\u201d Thomas says. \u201cMore and more businesses are seeking to adopt sustainable business practices, but are unsure of how to go about it.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In response, Poole College is on the frontlines creating the next generation of professionals capable of using business as a force for good.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/aside-widget {\"alignment\":\"left\"} -->\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-widget default left-aside\"><!-- wp:ncst\/pullquote {\"value\":\"\\u003cstrong\\u003e27% of Poole faculty are teaching sustainability within their courses.\\u003c\\\/strong\\u003e\"} -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-red-400-text-color\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\"><strong>27% of Poole faculty are teaching sustainability within their courses.<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/pullquote --><\/aside>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/aside-widget -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Since the inception of the BSC, Thomas and others have worked to engage faculty across disciplines to strategically embed sustainability into their curriculum within Poole\u2019s undergraduate, MBA and MAC programs. Today, twenty-seven percent of Poole faculty are teaching sustainability within their <a href=\"https:\/\/bsc.poole.ncsu.edu\/student-opportunities\/courses\/\">courses<\/a> \u2013\u2013 touching issues such as labor and human rights within the supply chain, impact investing in finance, conscious consumer behavior in marketing and other strategies to incorporate sustainable business practices.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/aside-widget -->\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-widget default right-aside\"><!-- wp:ncst\/pullquote {\"value\":\"329 students worked on 68 projects with companies around the world via the B Corp Clinic.\"} -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-red-400-text-color\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\">329 students worked on 68 projects with companies around the world via the B Corp Clinic.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/pullquote --><\/aside>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/aside-widget -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cAs part of the clinic, we\u2019ve engaged 329 students and worked on 68 projects with companies around the world \u2013\u2013 from tech startups to multi-national corporations \u2013\u2013 allowing these companies to connect with our students to improve their social and environmental impact,\u201d Thomas says. \u201cDue to the program\u2019s success, other academic institutions like the University of Florida, the University of Georgia and the University of New Hampshire, are replicating the model we created. Poole College is truly an innovator in this space of creating experiential learning opportunities for students, and allowing them to apply what they\u2019re learning in the classroom within a real-world setting that makes an actual impact on real businesses.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/pullquote {\"value\":\"Due to the program\\u2019s success, other academic institutions like the University of Florida, the University of Georgia and the University of New Hampshire, are replicating the model we created. Poole College is truly an innovator in this space of creating experiential learning opportunities.\\u201d\"} -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-red-400-text-color\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\">Due to the program\u2019s success, other academic institutions like the University of Florida, the University of Georgia and the University of New Hampshire, are replicating the model we created. Poole College is truly an innovator in this space of creating experiential learning opportunities.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/pullquote -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>B Corp certification has fast-become a coveted designation for businesses across the world, held by major companies such as Patagonia, Athleta and New Belgium Brewing, and Thomas believes it\u2019s the future of business.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cTwenty years down the road, you won't be able to successfully operate a business without also discussing how your business is addressing environmental and social impacts,\u201d Thomas explains. \u201cYou\u2019ll also need to be able to demonstrate and quantify how you\u2019re doing that \u2013\u2013 which is what makes the B Corp certification so valuable.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The college\u2019s work within the sustainability space has made it a thought leader amongst other universities around the world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Four years ago, Thomas co-founded <a href=\"https:\/\/bsc.poole.ncsu.edu\/b-corporations\/b-academics\/\">B Academics<\/a> to advance the state of academic study into business as a force for good. Today, it is a global network of more than 2,000 educators and researchers from over 50 countries who have published more than 200 research papers related to B Corps. NC State Poole College is one of the organization\u2019s founding academic institutions and Thomas serves as the organization\u2019s president and board chair.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/pullquote {\"value\":\"Through their generosity, the Pooles have already impacted thousands of students who will be uniquely equipped to lead in this new, and critically important, era of business using business as an engine to drive social and environmental change, as well as bottom-line financial value.\"} -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-red-400-text-color\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\">Through their generosity, the Pooles have already impacted thousands of students who will be uniquely equipped to lead in this new, and critically important, era of business using business as an engine to drive social and environmental change, as well as bottom-line financial value.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/pullquote -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cSustainability is so important in a business environment because it\u2019s one of the few areas that truly cuts across disciplines,\u201d Thomas says. \u201cThrough their generosity, the Pooles have already impacted thousands of students who will be uniquely equipped to lead in this new, and critically important, era of business using business as an engine to drive social and environmental change, as well as bottom-line financial value.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/related-stories -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-related-stories\"><h2 class=\"related-stories__label\">Related<\/h2><div class=\"ncst-component__related-stories-container\"><!-- wp:ncst\/bold-link {\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/poole.ncsu.edu\\\/news\\\/2017\\\/03\\\/31\\\/faculty-integrate-sustainability-in-business-courses-2\\\/\",\"text\":\"Faculty Integrate Sustainability In Business Courses\"} -->\n<a href=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/news\/2017\/03\/31\/faculty-integrate-sustainability-in-business-courses-2\/\" class=\"ncst-component__bold-link wp-block-ncst-bold-link\" data-ua-cat=\"Bold Link Block\" data-ua-action=\"Bold Link Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/news\/2017\/03\/31\/faculty-integrate-sustainability-in-business-courses-2\/\">Faculty Integrate Sustainability In Business <span class=\"nowrap\">Courses\u00a0<span class=\"arrow-indicator\"> <svg class=\"wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"false\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg> <\/span><\/span><\/a>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/bold-link -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/bold-link {\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/poole.ncsu.edu\\\/news\\\/2018\\\/04\\\/20\\\/b-corp-clinic-gives-students-experience-while-helping-businesses-achieve-goals\\\/\",\"text\":\"B Corp Clinic Gives Students Experience While Helping Businesses Achieve Goals\"} -->\n<a href=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/news\/2018\/04\/20\/b-corp-clinic-gives-students-experience-while-helping-businesses-achieve-goals\/\" class=\"ncst-component__bold-link wp-block-ncst-bold-link\" data-ua-cat=\"Bold Link Block\" data-ua-action=\"Bold Link Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/news\/2018\/04\/20\/b-corp-clinic-gives-students-experience-while-helping-businesses-achieve-goals\/\">B Corp Clinic Gives Students Experience While Helping Businesses Achieve <span class=\"nowrap\">Goals\u00a0<span class=\"arrow-indicator\"> <svg class=\"wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"false\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg> <\/span><\/span><\/a>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/bold-link --><\/div><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/related-stories -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/highlight {\"teaser\":\"No matter what we face, we\\u2019ll carry on with our work and our mission. But it\\u2019s not business as usual. Each day at NC State, we strive for more: greater opportunity, increased educational access, bolder visions and leading-edge research\",\"callToAction\":\"Join us on March 24\",\"imageID\":511318} -->\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-highlight with-image\"><h2 class=\"highlight__label\">For the Pack.<\/h2><a href=\"https:\/\/dayofgiving.ncsu.edu\/\" class=\"highlight__link\" data-ua-cat=\"Highlight Block\" data-ua-action=\"Story Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/dayofgiving.ncsu.edu\/\"><div class=\"highlight__image-container\"><div class=\"highlight__image-background\"><img class=\"highlight__image wp-image-511318\" alt=\"DOG\" src=\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/DoG-facebookcoverphoto-1640x922-03-1-e1614180984131.jpg\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"highlight__text-container\"><h3 class=\"highlight__heading\">#GivingPack<\/h3><p class=\"highlight__teaser\">No matter what we face, we\u2019ll carry on with our work and our mission. But it\u2019s not business as usual. Each day at NC State, we strive for more: greater opportunity, increased educational access, bolder visions and leading-edge research<\/p><p class=\"highlight__cta\">Join us on March <span class=\"nowrap\">24\u00a0<span class=\"arrow-indicator\"> <svg class=\"wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"false\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg> <\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/aside>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/highlight -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/magazine-preview {\"backgroundColor\":\"reynolds_400\",\"issueID\":27} \/-->"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Poole College of Management reflects on 10 years since the Poole Family Endowment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":511058,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"views\/single-immersive.blade.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/default-immersive-post-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"showAuthor\":false,\"showDate\":true,\"showFeaturedVideo\":false,\"backgroundColor\":\"red_400\",\"titleColor\":\"red_400\",\"image\":\"{\\\"alt\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"id\\\":511057,\\\"caption\\\":\\\"\\\",\\\"url\\\":\\\"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/425\/2021\/02\/EntrepreneurshipClinic125-1-1-1024x576.jpg\\\"}\",\"subtitle\":\"<em>Poole College of Management reflects on 10 years since the Poole Family Endowment<\/em>.\",\"displayCategoryID\":8,\"caption\":\"Lonnie and Carol Poole\"}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,26],"tags":[],"_ncst_magazine_issue":[27],"class_list":["post-511056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-giving","category-newswire"],"displayCategory":{"term_id":8,"name":"Impact of Giving","slug":"giving","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":8,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":15,"filter":"raw"},"acf":{"ncst_posts_meta_modified_date":null},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/511056","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=511056"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/511056\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":511366,"href":"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/511056\/revisions\/511366"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/511058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=511056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=511056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=511056"},{"taxonomy":"_ncst_magazine_issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/poole.ncsu.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/_ncst_magazine_issue?post=511056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}