NC State College of Humanities and Social Sciences

05/19/2026

After 34 years of elevating the voices of North Carolina, linguistics professor Walt Wolfram is retiring. 🫶

While at NC State University, he helped shape the university’s identity as a place where scholars study the world and engage with it, bringing research into communities and elevating people’s voices.

His mission has always been the same: to help people hear the value in the ways they speak and to take pride in who they are. “In a sense, language is what really makes us human”, Walt said.

If the university were to mark his career with a plaque, Walt knows exactly what it should say: “Thank you for the opportunity to do what I love.”

Thank YOU, Walt! 🐺 ❤️

Full story: http://ncst.at/CLxi50Z1PpX

05/18/2026

The fifth and final episode of the Talking Black in America series, produced by the Language and Life Project at NC State, was nominated for an Emmy in the historical documentary category at the Southeast Regional Emmy Awards this past weekend. This marks the series’ fourth nomination, following one previous win. 👏

Talking Black in America – Social Justice, the series’ concluding installment, highlights the core themes and concerns that have shaped the project from its inception. It explores linguistic discrimination and its lifelong effects on Black language speakers — in education, employment, housing, healthcare, the legal system and more. The episode also honors Black language as a source of strength, solidarity and a significant influence on American and global cultures.

05/12/2026

Last week, three CHASS students received the 2026 Mathews Medal, honoring graduating seniors who have demonstrated student leadership and made significant contributions to the advancement of the university.

NC State University presented the highest non-academic distinction awarded to students to Isaac Carreno, political science and social work ’26; Abby Mulry, international studies ’26; and Molly Sue Smith, social work ’26.

05/12/2026

What is...CHASS? 😎

05/11/2026

The moment made it official! 🎓 🐺

05/08/2026

To graduate is human. It’s a milestone, a rite of passage and the start of a new adventure — one shaped by late-night study sessions, bold conversations and quiet determination. 🐺

Along the way, the Class of 2026 has also discovered what it means to be human, carrying forward stories defined by hard work, big dreams, tough challenges and notable achievements.

Hear from five of our 2026 undergraduate and graduate students as they prepare to celebrate their achievements during the spring commencement ceremony this weekend:

🎓 http://ncst.at/BkZ150YWJf2

05/08/2026

Film studies professor Marsha Gordon landed in Hollywood last week as a special guest at the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival! Gordon introduced screenings of "Next Time We Love" (1936), a film based on a novel of the same name by Ursula Parrott.

Gordon's recent book, "Becoming the Ex-Wife: The Unconventional Life and Forgotten Writings of Ursula Parrott", is all about Parrott's legacy and many contributions to film.

05/05/2026

CHASS student Tonya Henderson Gatling (B.A. in leadership in the public sector) will take the stage at spring commencement as student speaker, sharing the insights she has gained in her journey back to NC State. 🐺

Meet Tonya Henderson Gatling, student speaker at NC State's spring 2026 commencement.

05/04/2026

Happy May 4th to all who celebrate — especially Dean Dannels!