The University community welcomed its new chancellor Wednesday in a reception at Reynolds Coliseum, a place which, according to Student Body President Jim Ceresnak, “symbolizes all the glory and greatness of N.C. State.”

The short ceremony was an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to meet Randy Woodson, the provost at Purdue University and the next chancellor of NCSU.

Originally from Arkansas and a graduate of the University of Arkansas in 1974, Woodson has spent the last 25 years at Purdue University, an institution similar to NCSU in many ways, including its status as a land-grant university under the Morrill Act of 1862.

Woodson officially accepted the chancellery at the University in January, taking the place of former Chancellor James Oblinger, who was caught in controversy stemming from the Mary Easley corruption scandal.

Woodson expressed the need for the University and its shareholders to have a “renewed confidence and trust” in the University leadership.

Accessibility to students, alumni and faculty is a way Woodson plans on restoring this lost trust. He made it clear in his first few months here he plans on doing a lot of listening and learning so he can learn more about the campus community.

When asked how he would respond to the financially trying times with budget cuts looming around each fiscal corner, Woodson said he was conscious of the concerns students have regarding class sizes and the faculty to student ratio, but “at the end of the day, you have to meet the budget.”

At the same time, he acknowledged the importance of the University’s extension mission. “It’s the people’s University of the State,” he said.

He added one of his primary goals regarding faculty will be to raise retention rates as “the faculty is really the heart of the University, and that an outstanding University is built upon an outstanding faculty.”

Twice during the speech, Woodson mentioned his desire for students at the University to take advantage of the great opportunities available in different disciplines regardless of their majors.

“This is a University where colleges need to work together,” Woodson said. Woodson warned against the tendency for each college to act independently, instead of as a united University.

When pressed on his particular views about the growth of each college to further the expansion of the University as a whole, and specifically the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the chancellor-elect expostulated on how CHASS is a vital part of the University as “the humanities and social sciences are the underpinning of all education.”

Reaffirming the importance of cohesion, Woodson said “together we can do what needs to be done to move N.C. State forward.”

Woodson said he wanted to enhance the student experience at the University, fully preparing students for success in the workforce post-graduation.

He also expressed a desire for the student experience with him to be a personal one. “I love being around students — and they are going to get to know me,” he said.

Some students who attended the event acted slightly apprehensive about welcoming in a new leader to the University.

Kelly Hook, chief of staff for the student body president, said she was “excited to see what he has to offer, even though it is hard to know what to expect just from what we currently know about him.”

Hook referred to the comment Woodson made regarding not planning on expanding CHASS, while she said she is very interested in learning what Woodson’s plans really are for the University.

Some students carried banners and posters they made welcoming the new chancellor.

Jenique Taylor, a senior in communications, and Brandon Compton, a senior in civil engineering, attended the event representing the organization Campus Crusade for Christ and voiced the ceremony was a “good way to get a feel for what the chancellor will bring to State.”

Chancellor Jim Woodward said the new chancellor set the right tone and seems to have a very good understanding of the sort of obligations being chancellor of a land-grant institution entails.

The chancellor-elect praised the University and all of its colleges during his time at the podium for being innovative, pursuing groundbreaking research and having students that are doing great things.

He mentioned another goal is to uphold the solid reputation of the University so that all alumni will be proud of the investments they’ve made in NCSU.

Woodson, who is still wrapping up his duties at Purdue University, will move into the chancellor’s home on Oberlin and Hillsborough the first week of April when he will assume the responsibilities of the chancellor.