The life of Bob Kennel reflects what NC State’s all about. Bob grew up in eastern
North Carolina, the first person in his family to ever go to college. And he was able
to go to NC State because a scholarship became available to him.
But it paid everything. In those days a $1,000 a year covered everything. So, I did
not have to work or, it allowed me time to do a number of things like athletics and
ultimately help form a fraternity. Air Force ROTC had let me go ahead through the
second years to go into the Air Force, which tied in with the nuclear as well.
Bob has done a lot of things across our campus. He was President of the Alumni
Association Board and was very instrumental in the development of the plans for
the Park Alumni Center. Bob served as president of the Parents Association here on
campus.
Well, I’ve always believed when something’s given to you, your job is to give back.
And in the athletic side was pretty clean on one end. The academic side was pretty
clean on the other, because just like Hall of Fame coaches, I had what would be Hall
of Fame professors like Dr. Raymond Murray who really wrote the book on nuclear
engineering, and Dr. Wes Doggit who was my thesis advisor.
He has been president of the UNC Systems Council of Alumni Association Presidents
for many years. He’s been on the Friends of the Library Board of Directors. He
endowed a Caldwell scholarship. Bob has just done so many things worthy of this
recognition tonight, and somebody that’s really made and impact on our campus.
Twenty years ago we formed an organization called the Council of UNC Alumni
Association Presidents. It was working with the Alumni Associations of all sixteen
public universities. And I was the president, and then I became the executive
director for the last eighteen years and we needed something you know
demonstrable. And so it hit me that a way to do it was to NC State, the state of North
Carolina was basketball. I mean you knew us, and that the university system, the
colors of all sixteen public universities are on one ball. I mean each of the colors.
And so I made up the first one.
Baseball’s always been his first love and he came back and endowed, a few years ago
endowed a baseball scholarship for coach Avent’s program.
Just, he has lifetime seats rights, which, and he endowed a baseball scholarship
which is the education side of Bob and Elaine. But I think the lifetime rights might
be more than Elaine. She loves baseball I think more than he does. I think that’s
more attributed to her than him.
. He’s been recognized statewide. He’s recipient of the long Order of the Long Leaf
Pine, which goes to our top citizens in our state. And he’s been recognized all over
our campus for various accomplishments he’s had at NC State as well. And the most
fitting tonight and the greatest honor of them all is the Watauga Medal. And to Bob I
just want to say congratulations, well deserved, and we’re all very proud of you and
very happy for you. And you and Elaine enjoy this evening, because it’s for you.
You know he’s just a giver. You know there’s givers in life that get back. Bob and
Elaina I hope this is part of your get back. I know you do things for what it means
within, and you don’t do it for rewards, but what a reward this is. I just want to say
Bob and Elaine just enjoy this night so much, because you have given to so many
people including myself and so many Wolfpack people who you dearly love and they
love you. And I just want to say Bob, Elaine enjoy this night.