The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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MARCH 2016 ■ 59 Basketball Team Endowment will pay for the rising costs of scholarships for the 13-player team, freeing other donations to the Wofpack Club to support scholarships for other varsity sports. A portion will also help pay for a men's basketball display in the Reynolds Coliseum Walk of Fame, which is slated to open in August. "Most of our major gifts over the last 20 years have gone to provide facilities," said Purcell, who is responsible for raising some $12 million annually for athletic scholar- ships. "This is the largest gift we have ever received specifically to endow scholarships." The Randy and Tiffany Ramsey Equine Sports Medicine Program will provide op- erational support for CVM's unique equine program, which treats performance-related diseases and injuries in Olympic, dressage and pleasure-riding horses. The gift will also endow professorships, fund equipment pur- chases and assist in the construction of new and renovated facilities. The Ramseys have served in important leadership positions at NC State for the last two decades. Randy Ramsey was elected to the Wolfpack Club Board of Directors, has served on the Athletics Council and is serving a term on the NC State Board of Trustees. Tiffany Ramsey, a graduate of East Carolina, worked as a licensed veterinary technician in a CVM externship in 2010 and has served a three-year term on the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Foundation Board. "This generous endowment gift by Randy and Tiffany Ramsey will make a game- changing impact in athletics and academics at NC State," Woodson said. " "As we look to embark on the largest fun- draising campaign in school history, this is yet another significant gift from a member of university leadership that will make a lasting impact on our students and student-athletes." The school's largest capital campaign in history, with hopes of raising more than a bil- lion dollars, begins in earnest later this year. Increasing both the university and Wolfpack Club endowments have been the focus of Woodson and Purcell in recent years. The university endowment, at about $300 million when Woodson arrived five years ago, is now teetering on $1 billion. "Clearly, since Chancellor Woodson has been here, his focus has been towards build- ing the endowment," Ramsey said. "It's been quite a feat. We wanted to do something that will help enhance that." Ramsey also made sure the gift would be directed to the things the couple is passion- ate about. "We wanted to do something with athlet- ics because we were so involved," he said. "Since basketball really brought me to the university, it seemed like the appropriate contribution would be there. Tiffany since a young age has been very passionate about animals. "I call the animals we have at home the herd. We currently have two dogs, two cats and two horses. All of them except the horses usually come with us when we come to Ra- leigh for games. They are part of our family." Ramsey enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with NC State students and student-athletes. He and Tiffany are devoted fans of every varsity program, as well as the academic programs that make NC State unique. "My personal passion is not just for ath- letics, but the academics the university is known for and how it transforms the lives of the students and the people who interact with the university," Ramsey said. "Every time I visit our campus and interact with the students here, I feel optimistic for the future of our country. "Athletics began my curiosity about NC State, but it was just a pathway to really discover the great things that go on here." ■ Tim Peeler is a regular contributor to The Wolfpacker and can be reached at tmpeeler@ncsu.edu. The Ramseys were honored by NC State chancellor Randy Woodson during NCSU's 77-74 win over Clemson Feb. 20 for their endowment gifts. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN