About Wolfpack Pick Up

History

Wolfpack Pick Up was founded in 2014 under the leadership of students in collaboration with university officials. Paige Maxon, a former NC State student who had her own experience with a physical disability was inspired to implement a service for students experiencing physical impairment to better navigate NC State University’s campus.

By the spring semester of 2014, after rallying support the previous year from administrators and private donors, Maxon worked with the Student Government and the first team of student-drivers to launch the pilot program. In its initial pilot operation, Wolfpack Pick Up served just over 800 rides to students.

From 2014 to 2018, Wolfpack Pick Up operated much the same way: advertising through various forms of communications and activities, and the program was even recognized on a number of occasions for its impact on campus, receiving awards like the Deborah S. Moore Award for Outstanding Service Program in 2015-2016. During these years, Wolfpack Pick Up employed scores of student-drivers and coordinators, empowering transferable experiential learning opportunities outside of the classroom in customer service, communication, leadership, and co-working, among other skills.

The program faced its fair share of challenges, too. During these four years, the infrastructure of the golf carts and the digital presence led to complications later on. By the fall of 2017, Wolfpack Pick Up was in need of upgrades and serious attention to maintain the same level of quality service outlined by the original founders. These upgrades were initiated promptly in the fall of 2017, and by the spring semester of 2018, the physical infrastructure of the program was improved and up to operation standards, including the purchase of a new-used golf cart to add to the fleet. During the summer of 2018, two additional new-used golf carts were purchased thanks to a grant from the NC State University Foundation.

Thereafter through the present day, we have been working constantly to improve our digital and online presence, including marketing and educational information for our campus community and beyond.

Today, Wolfpack Pick Up has grown to its largest reach to date, now serving the entire campus community, including students, faculty, staff, and approved university guests. In addition to our service expansion, our fleet has also grown. Wolfpack Pick Up now operates four golf carts, both electric and gasoline-powered.

This feat would not be possible without the generous private and university support. Wolfpack Pick Up recognizes especially our continued sponsors, North State Bank, the NC State University Foundation, Inc., and the Bateman family of Atlanta, Georgia for their lasting investments in ensuring our campus remains open to all. Members of the Wolfpack have been positively affected by our program, and each day we pride ourselves on the opportunity to serve our community well.

Wolfpack Pick Up had a temporary setback during the midst of COVID-19. When COVID-19 hit our campus in March 2020 and students were sent home, we paused service until August 2020. Since our return, we have been making incredible strides in returning our program to its peak. As of 2022, Wolfpack Pick Up has provided over 20,000 rides to over 1,200 members of our Wolfpack community.

Inquiries

For inquiries about the program, its history, or other questions, please contact us via email at wolfpackpickup@ncsu.edu.