This summer North Carolina A&T State University introduced a new branding campaign that aspires to unify the university’s integrated marketing and strategic communications efforts through consistent messaging.

“This new branding campaign aims to deliver cohesive messaging and positioning of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University,” said Dr. Harold L. Martin Sr., chancellor. “It was developed within the framework of the A&T Preeminence 2020 long-range strategic plan and supports the university’s overall institutional goals.”

N.C. A&T partnered with a responsive marketing and communications agency to research and assess its brand perceptions among key constituents and to develop a new brand messaging/positioning platform for all future university communications. The new campaign is the result of the agency’s comprehensive and revealing findings.

Since June, Nicole Pride, chief of staff and interim vice chancellor for university advancement, has been meeting with the campus and external communities to share the agency's findings and to introduce the new positioning statement, tagline and key messaging.

“The assessment uncovers our attitudes, perceptions and preferences toward A&T. It also reveals how likely it is for students, employees, alumni and other constituents to support—or even consider supporting—the university based on these current beliefs. These findings are important as we position A&T for preeminence and plan for other strategic efforts designed to advance the work of the institution,” said Pride.

The new positioning statement combines all of those things with the university’s strategic themes. The result is a clarion call to excellence:

We are proud. Our history is rich with achievement and tradition. Our university is a place where the dynamic and visionary challenge the status quo. We share a vision of preeminence; using our minds, our research and our passion, we engage the community and create positive, lasting global change. We are better than yesterday, but never as good as tomorrow. Because our excellence has no boundaries—and because that’s what AGGIES DO!

Pride says the next phase of the campaign is to develop creative collateral that impacts all facets of the university.

“The response to our branding efforts and AGGIES DO! has been very positive, and the majority of the campus community is eagerly anticipating the creative phase,” said Pride.

Those who haven’t had an opportunity may attend one of the following sessions to hear the outcomes, goals and timeline firsthand: Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. or 4 p.m., and Thursday, Aug. 21, at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. or 11 a.m.

A formal campus community rollout will take place this fall with ongoing brand development through the spring.

North Carolina A&T State University and North Carolina State University faculty members are invited to attend a one-day workshop on the Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) program, Friday, Aug. 29, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

EPICS is a solution to two problems. First, many engineering graduates lack the real-world skills needed for project management. Second, many non-profit organizations do not have funding for the professional engineering services they need to design displays and exhibits or keep relevant databases. The solution is to use the skills of undergraduates to provide services to local non-profit organizations.

Founded at Purdue University in 1995, the EPICS program has grown its original five project teams to 25 teams that include over 400 students and is now operating at about 15 universities across the United States.

For details about the speakers and agenda, visit the Aggie Research blog. There is no fee to attend the workshop or for lunch. RSVP by Wednesday, Aug. 27, to Dr. Keith Schimmel. Location at N.C. A&T to be announced.

The workshop is sponsored by the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University.

This year’s Aggie Alumni Homecoming Concert will be “A ‘Knight’ to Remember,” when seven-time Grammy winner Gladys Knight takes the stage Friday, Oct. 24, at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center. Special guest Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes will also perform.

Sponsored by the N.C. A&T University Foundation Inc., tickets are now on sale. VIP tables are $5,000 and $2,800, reserved tables are $1,400 and individual tickets are $140 and $120 per seat. All tables have 10 seats.

Tickets may be purchased at the N.C. A&T University Foundation Office, which is located at the Alumni-Foundation Event Center, 200 N. Benbow Road, Greensboro, N.C. For more information, call 336-433-5560.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m., a buffet reception is 7:45–8:30 p.m., and the show begins at 8:30 p.m. 

For over 50 years, Knight has had No. 1 hits in pop, gospel, R&B and adult contemporary, as well as triumphed in film, television and live performances.

In her first effort since 2013’s “Another Journey”—Knight’s eighth solo album—she is currently in the studio working on a new gospel album (her fourth) for Deseret Book. “Another Journey” enjoyed success from the hit “I Who Have Nothing” as well as the up-tempo track “Settle,” produced by Randy Jackson, with whom she previously collaborated with on her Grammy-winning album, “At Last.” Knight also enjoyed the success of her song “You and I Ain’t Nothin’ No More,” which appeared over the end credits of the critically acclaimed Lee Daniels film, “The Butler.”

This summer, Knight joined the cast of the Broadway musical, “After Midnight,” at the Brook’s Atkinson Theater. Co-created by Wynton Marsalis, Knight performs American songbook standards such as “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” “Stormy Weather,” Calloway’s “Zah Zuh Zah” and “On the Stage,” all backed onstage by the 17-piece Jazz at Lincoln Center All-Star Band.

On the small screen, Knight recently shared her musical expertise on the second season of Centric’s original series, “Apollo Live.” Joining judges Doug E. Fresh and Michael Bivins, she gave guidance to contestants as they took the stage with the hope to jumpstart their career in the entertainment industry. 

No stranger to performing and light choreography over the course of her career, Knight joined the cast of ABC’s reality competition “Dancing with the Stars” in 2012 for season 14, partnering with Tristan MacManus.

Click here for more information about Gladys Knight.

Brasil Guitar Duo, winner of the 2006 Concert Artist Guild International Competition, will open this year’s Lyceum Series at North Carolina A&T State University on Tuesday, Sept. 23, in Harrison Auditorium at 7 p.m.

This year’s Lyceum theme is “Valuing and Exploring Cultural Expressions Part III: Through Jazz and Hip-Hop.” Other featured artists will include New Orleans Hip-Hop artist Dee-1, jazz guitar virtuoso Stanley Jordan and Grammy nominee Cecile McLorin Salvant.

Hailed by Classical Guitar magazine for their “maturity of musicianship and technical virtuosity,” the Duo’s programming features a seamless blend of traditional and Brazilian works, resulting in a global touring schedule and a growing catalogue of critically acclaimed recordings.

The musicians are eager advocates for both traditional and new concerti, for two guitars and orchestra. They premiered a Concerto for Two Guitars and Orchestra by Brazilian composer Paulo Bellinati in 2012, and most recently performed with the Dallas and Houston Symphony Orchestras and the Ohio Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas.

Brasil Guitar Duo strives to expand the repertoire for two guitars with Lora contributing works of his own and Luis arranging classical and Brazilian music. The Duo performs a broad repertoire of classical guitar duos (Bach, Sor, Scarlatti and Debussy) combined with the traditional music of their native land (choro, samba, maxixe and baiao).

For more information about the Lyceum Program at N.C. A&T, contact Gregory J. Horton at 336-334-7852. For ticket information, call the University Ticket Office, 336-334-7749.

The 2014 Homecoming Parade will be Saturday, Oct. 25, beginning at 8 a.m., and volunteers are needed to serve on the parade committee.

All individuals, groups, organizations and agencies other than N.C. A&T recognized and registered student organizations are required to pay one or more of the parade entry fees listed below:

$200 for vehicles. The fee includes two new magnets per parade year. Vehicle entries are defined as one vehicle (car or truck), one float or two motorcycles.

$175 for all other entries including but not limited to pedestrian/walking units, two go-carts and performance groups.

$100 for additional units (e.g., walking unit with a float or vehicle) from either of the preceding categories based on availability.

$325 for group pricing (e.g., car clubs, motorcycle groups, etc.) for no more than six vehicles and $425 per group for up to 10 vehicles.

Groups are eligible to include one additional entry at the above stated rate.

All application fees are non-refundable and must be paid at the N.C. A&T Treasurer’s Office, located on the first floor of the Dowdy Building. A university transmittal form must accompany payments that are made at the Treasurer’s Office.

The parade application form is available online and must be submitted by Monday, Sept. 15. Completed applications will include an attached copy of the receipt for review. Out-of-state participants are encouraged to contact the Treasurer’s Office at 336-334-7721 (after the greeting, press 3) to arrange electronic payment of the parade fee.

Parade applications received after Monday, Sept. 15, will incur a $50 late fee. Applications received after Thursday, Sept. 25, or without payment will not be accepted.

To assure safety, all parade entrants are required to pass through the police security checkpoint on the morning of the parade. In addition, all floats must pass a safety inspection by the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Office, which will be on site the morning of the parade to conduct safety inspections. Throwing candy and other items along the parade route is PROHIBITED.

All participant entries/groups are required to attend a mandatory parade meeting. Parade permits, signs (if applicable) and instructions on when and where to arrive will be disseminated at the meeting. Entrants will receive information about meeting times and locations upon receipt of their application.

For additional information about the parade or to volunteer, contact Lt. Col. Joshua Jones or Maurtisha Thomas via email at jtjones3@ncat.edu or mthomas2@ncat.edu, respectively, or by phone at 336-285-2722.