In Reynolds Coliseum, packed with thousands of smiling faces, the biggest smile in the room belonged to the newly installed chancellor, Kevin Howell. 

Howell’s installation as the 15th chancellor of NC State included speeches from Phil Berger, N.C. senate president pro-tempore; Wendy Murphy, chair of the UNC Board of Governors; and Ed Stack, the chair of the NC State Board of Trustees.

Howell has officially been presiding over the University since May, but Thursday marked his official installation. Paul Newby, chief justice of the N.C. Supreme Court administered the oath of office to Howell over his personal bible.

Many of the speakers at the event praised the University for its role in North Carolina’s culture and economy, a sentiment stemming from the fact that Howell is an NC native and a graduate of NC State who was elected as the first Black student body president in 1987.

Stack said Howell is the coming of a new day for NC State leadership. He emphasized Howell’s leadership experience and said his character traits are what make him the best person for the job.

“I can think of no one more able and ready to lead us in this time than our new chancellor.

Kevin Howell, quite literally, embodies the spirit of NC State. His reputation as a person of great integrity, unwavering dedication and solid leadership is what led him to this day,” Stack said.

Isaac Carreno, NC State’s student body president, spoke about Howell’s rise from small-town North Carolina to student body president and now chancellor.

“Chancellor Howell isn’t just a proud alumnus of NC State, he came to the University from Shelby, a small town in Cleveland County,” Carreno said. “Like me, he studied political science, but was called to serve his community and advocate for the needs of everybody in it.”

Like Carreno, many of the speakers at the ceremony noted Howell’s humble origins and how it has shaped him into the leader he is today. Several speakers indicated that being from North Carolina makes Howell better equipped to face issues and create goals for the University.

Howell spent much of his career in public service before becoming chancellor. Carreno said he went out of his way at every opportunity to make North Carolina a better place for all.

“At the State Court of Appeals, General Assembly, at UNC Health and at NC State and all of his roles, Chancellor Howell has sought partnership with the people and leadership in the state, knowing they would share his faith in North Carolina and its potential,” Carreno said.

Dean Arp, N.C. House Representative, said his professional relationship with Howell has already shown him that he is the leader that NC State needs. 

“I’ve been on the receiving end of his endless and relentless advocacy,” Arp said. “Whether securing funds for faculty and facility needs, advocating for programs like engineering North Carolina’s future [to] elevate or casting vision for what NC State’s tomorrows will be.”

Arp said all aspects of Howell’s career, including his time as a student leader at NC State, have prepared him for this role and make him the perfect person for the job.

“I am convinced that there is not another person that has his skills, passion and love of this hallowed institution than Chancellor Howell has at this moment,” Arp said

Howell, illuminated by dim red light, reflected on his roots at NC State and credited the University for enabling his current success and that of its students.

“Your participation in this ceremony, whether you’re here in person or with us online, signals that this place, and more importantly its people, have shaped you,” Howell said. Eliciting laughter from the audience, Howell continued, “The path that led you here to this moment, is most certainly paved in brick.”

During his speech, Howell recounted a health scare he experienced exactly 10 years ago, on Oct. 30.

“October 30 is a deeply meaningful day for me, in more than one way. In fact, 10 years ago, Oct. 30, 2015, my kidneys failed,” Howell said, taking the opportunity to thank the medical staff at UNC Health.

The new chancellor also took the opportunity to thank former university leaders, including former Chancellor Randy Woodson, who stood from the audience to widespread applause.

“Our predecessors were extraordinary individuals. They planted, they nurtured seeds for trees they knew they would never sit beneath,” Howell said.

Howell spoke about the need for NC State to prepare students for a rapidly changing economy and society, referring to the school as a “frontier university” and championing its leadership in research and innovation to adapt to an evolving society.

Howell highlighted NC State’s role as a land-grant university, enabling greater access to education for North Carolinians, and emphasized the importance of ensuring the benefits of innovation and progress are widely shared across society.

“I see a future where NC State is the gold standard of a 21st-century land grant university,” Howell said. “Leading with intention … and freely sharing the fruits of our labor, because progress means nothing, unless it is shared.”

Wolfpack Connect was also championed by Howell for expanding educational access. The program provides guaranteed admission to certain colleges at NC State for transfers who earn an associate degree and maintain a 3.0 GPA at North Carolina community colleges.

Howell mentioned the necessity of keeping students at the forefront of his vision while ensuring the school receives philanthropic support to assist its research and mission.

“Without compromise, students are our highest priority. That’s why NC State exists,” Howell said. “We must secure meaningful philanthropic support from those who understand that an investment in NC State is an investment in a better tomorrow.”

Howell said both education in science, technology, education and math as well as the liberal arts are crucial to the University’s success in leading applied research.

“The work we do here at NC State, it matters. Ladies and gentlemen, higher education matters. Research, it matters,” Howell said. “Because our world needs engineers and designers. Because our world needs farmers, architects and veterinarians. Because our world needs polymer chemists, astronauts and teachers. It needs poets, it needs artists, it needs public servants.”

Howell closed his speech by remarking on NC State’s mission to serve the public.

“Public good will remain the driving force behind our discoveries,” Howell said. “NC State will forever be the University for the people.”