At NC State, giving back reflects a shared commitment to community — a reflection of pride, Pack spirit and purpose. Through I Give Because, we share the stories behind the Wolfpack’s devotion — the people whose generosity keeps this red-and-white heartbeat strong.

This installment features Will Quick ’07 ’09, a former student body president and Park Scholar who is now a member of the NC State Alumni board of directors and a successful business attorney with Brooks Pierce Law Firm. 

Q: Finish this sentence: “I give because…” 

A: I give because NC State gave a lot to me. I first came to NC State as a Park Scholar, which was already a huge gift to give to me at the start of my college journey. The people I went on to meet and the experiences I had as a student leader shaped so much of my identity, which is why it’s important for me to give back. Honestly, I probably majored in NC State as a whole more than I majored in any particular degree over my six years.

Q: What is important to you that our readers know about your journey? Tell us about your personal connection to the Wolfpack.

A: One of the primary areas I give to are the Park Scholarships funds because the Park program was what initially brought me here. A brief funny story, I knew very little about NC State growing up in South Carolina. A lot of my friends wanted to go to Clemson University, so I went to visit in fall 2002 and happened to go on the weekend of the NC State football game. State ended up beating Clemson 38-6, and I was sold from then on. At the time, I was going to a residential STEM high school that got a student nomination to the Park Scholars program every year, so I went to the guidance counselor’s office that very next Monday morning and signed up. 

Q: Is there a particular moment, person or experience that determined how you chose to give back to the Pack?

A: During my new student orientation program, I struck up a friendship with Tony Caravano, who served as student body president from 2003 to 2005 and became a part of his student government network and friend group. I ended up running for – and winning – a freshman student senate seat, and then decided with Tony’s support to run for student senate president going into my sophomore year. Despite our almost four-year age gap, we stayed friends after he graduated. He was a part of my wedding, and, while we don’t talk as much as we used to, I’ll always appreciate his mentorship and the countless doors he opened for me.

I also met then Gov. Jim Hunt not long after I was elected student body president, which he also was at one point. He was always so kind despite the heights he had achieved, and, given his recent passing, I’ve reflected on our past interactions and the little notes of encouragement he would write me. That connection is reinforced daily because my wife, Meghan, whom I met at State, is now North Carolina Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt’s chief of staff. It’s amazing to see how Gov. Hunt’s legacy of leadership lives on in his daughter’s service.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the impact that NC State administrators and key Board of Trustee members had on me as well: Tom Stafford, Jim Oblinger and Peaches Blank to name a few. I hope one day our boys hold strong to what their mom and I try to do as inspiration for giving back themselves. 

Q: When you think about the impact of your giving, whether through time, talent or treasure, what change do you most hope to see within our Pack?

A: Susan K. Nutter, former vice provost and director of the NC State University Libraries when I was in school, was about 5-foot-2, but she carried herself like she was 10 feet tall. She was a ferocious advocate for the libraries and the impact they had on students, professors and so many others. She was a friend and mentor to me while I was a student leader. Early on after I graduated, she asked me to get involved in the Friends of the Libraries Young Alumni Leadership Council. I couldn’t tell her no. Several years later I ended up chairing the Friends of the Libraries Board of Directors, and my hope is that more grads answer the call and take the time to invest back in the university, the people and programs that made their success possible. Our young alumni need to walk through the door when someone like Susan opens it. 

Q: What would you say to fellow alumni or friends of the university who might be considering ways to give back?

A: Think about three to five things that you’re most interested in and whatever it is there is probably a program, a director or a professor who is focused very intently on that exact thing. Once you start a habit of giving back – whether through time, talent or treasure – it becomes almost second nature. They took a chance on me, so I take every chance I can to give back to them.