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Long known as a national hub for research, innovation and public-private partnership, Centennial Campus<\/a> is home to three of NC State\u2019s colleges and a number of research centers, institutes, laboratories and departments. Not to mention 76 industry, government and nonprofit partners.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s more than a research park. <\/p>\n Centennial Campus is a bustling \u2014 and growing \u2014 community. A sprawling landscape with walking trails, a championship golf course, restaurants, condos and a hotel. A mini-city nestled around Lake Raleigh. And, just as important, a destination for fun. <\/p>\n Did you know you can catch a movie on the lawn, chow down at a food truck rodeo, enjoy a live concert and kayak by moonlight on Centennial Campus? (Not all at once, of course). <\/p>\n Thanks to the activation efforts of the university\u2019s Real Estate and Development Office, these and other activities are springing up on Centennial Campus, drawing thousands of people and creating a vibrant after-hours atmosphere. <\/p>\n In real estate lingo, \u201cactivation\u201d means to bring built spaces to life. For Centennial Campus, activation also translates into innovation. <\/p>\n \u201cPeople\u2019s ideas need to collide, and in those collisions, you see innovation,\u201d says Imran Aukhil, assistant director of finance and asset management. \u201cOften those collisions are purposeful, like at conferences or symposia. Or they can be casual and serendipitous, like when people gather for a meal or outdoor concert. Our goal is to maximize those collisions so new ideas and relationships form that reflect Centennial Campus\u2019 mission of innovation.\u201d <\/p>\n Aukhil joined NC State about two years ago, along with activation specialist Jude DesNoyer, to bring new life to Centennial Campus. They\u2019ve hit the ground running, launching everything from an outdoor concert series to popular food truck rodeos.<\/p>\n It all started with a toilet, DesNoyer says with a laugh. <\/p>\n \u201cThe very first thing I did, that I felt proud of, was to put a port-a-potty down at Lake Raleigh, along with a couple of picnic tables and some grills,\u201d he says. \u201cI know that sounds really low brow, but it had a pretty immediate impact. The parking lot is full on the weekends and after five on weekdays. People are using the facilities. We made something out of nothing with minimal effort, and it turned out great.\u201d<\/p>\n That small victory led to bigger ones. <\/p>\n Food trucks<\/a> have been a daily lunchtime presence on Centennial Campus for years, thanks to a partnership with Campus Enterprises. DesNoyer worked with them recently to increase the number and variety of food trucks, and now Centennial Campus has a rotating 20-truck menu. <\/p>\n Centennial Campus also hosts several themed food truck rodeos \u2014 events that feature about 10 different trucks gathered in one spot, alongside a tented seating area. June\u2019s C.R.A.F.T. (Centennial Rodeo for Arts and Food Trucks) event showcased the NC State Crafts Center and its program offerings. For the \u201cPups and Trucks\u201d event in April, DesNoyer partnered with a local pet adoption center. <\/p>\n The next food truck rodeo, in November, will spotlight STEM education through a partnership with the NC Science Olympiad, which is based on Centennial Campus. <\/p>\n Through a partnership with Triangle Pop-Up, Centennial Campus will host an evening of food trucks, live music and shopping from local artists<\/a>. The event takes place Sept. 26 on the greenspace in front of Hunt Library. <\/p>\n DesNoyer also joined forces with NC State LIVE to produce a spring music series by Lake Raleigh that featured live bands and food trucks. He says he expected 50 people to come to the first LIVE@Lake Raleigh<\/a> concert. It drew 700. And that number continued to climb. The family-friendly events became so popular that next spring\u2019s lineup is already in the works.<\/p>\n Laura and McNair Bell, who both graduated from NC State in 1987, visit Centennial Campus regularly. They bike along part of the city\u2019s greenway system that connects their neighborhood to places like the North Carolina Museum of Art, Centennial Campus, the State Farmers Market and downtown. <\/p>\n They frequent Centennial Campus for both business and pleasure, attending meetings and enjoying outdoor concerts. <\/p>\n \u201cCentennial Campus is poised to be a major community asset,\u201d McNair Bell says. \u201cWith the connectivity to other assets along the greenway and in the urban core of Raleigh, it is nothing less than a diamond. <\/p>\n \u201cAs directed by our university\u2019s land-grant charter, community outreach is primary. What better way to engage the community than by immersing them in the campus? I think music, food and entertainment is a great draw and only the beginning of what we could do.\u201d<\/p>\n Creating wellness opportunities also is central to the Centennial Campus activation effort. <\/p>\nHumble Beginnings<\/h3>\n
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\u2018Nothing Less Than a Diamond\u2019<\/h3>\n
Focus on Fitness<\/h3>\n
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