Email
Print
Editorial: Research Campus dedication offers window into future
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: October 20, 2008
Oct. 20, 2008, will go down as a major, life-altering moment in Kannapolis and Cabarrus County history.
The date will be revered for the opening of the North Carolina Research Campus. The crisp autumn morning will be remembered as the dawn of a new era into nutritional and medical research that will affect millions worldwide.
On the site where Pillowtex closed, creating an economic crisis for Kannapolis, a flower of hope bloomed.
Research Campus founder David Murdock unveiled the Core Lab and two other buildings housing University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University researchers.
The promise of scientific and economic advances sit around the corner for the region, which will become known more for technology than textiles. Groundbreaking work and state-of-the-art facilities will attract the brightest minds for high-paying and high-profile jobs.
Nearly all the credit goes to Murdock, the 85-year-old CEO of Dole Food Company and one of the richest people in the world. Murdock has put more than $400 million of his estimated $4.7 billion worth into the 325-acre Research Campus.
Murdock's vision is to unlock the secrets of how nutrition impacts disease. The businessman hopes researchers can make inroads in curing cancer, diabetes and other maladies.
To conduct groundbreaking research that will make headlines worldwide, Murdock has created a private-public partnership with eight universities and at least 17 businesses to work on campus.
An estimated 1,500 invited guests watched a christening ceremony Monday, with state and local politicians singing Murdock's praises.
"From his personal wisdom and from his personal wealth, he is helping bring prosperity back to this city," Kannapolis Mayor Bob Misenheimer said.
"Mr. Murdock could have taken this (campus) anywhere in the world," Misenheimer said. "But he chose Kannapolis."
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., remembered meeting Murdock for the first time.
"I'll never forget when you came into my office and expressed your vision," Dole said to Murdock. "It was almost beyond belief."
University of North Carolina President Erskine Bowles understood the potential for the Research Campus. The former Clinton administration chief of staff went to bat for Murdock with the universities' chancellors and legislators. Without Bowles' endorsement, Murdock would have been successful, but the path might have been bumpier.
"This is a turning point in building a healthier and more prosperous future for the people of North Carolina," Bowles said Monday.
State Sen. Fletcher Hartsell, R-Kannapolis, felt the sting of Pillowtex's closing. His family and friends were affected personally. To bring hope and prosperity back to Kannapolis, Hartsell has spent hundreds of hours with Murdock, learning about the project and selling it locally and to heavy-hitters in Raleigh.
"This is a glorious day," Hartsell said, who was with Murdock in 2005 when plans for the Research Campus were announced. "Frankly, three years ago, nobody really believed it would happen."
Lynne Safrit, president of Murdock-owned Castle & Cooke North Carolina and Atlantic American Properties, helped shape the vision for the campus and kept the work progressing in Kannapolis. Murdock's trusted adviser served as a spokesperson, advocate and manager for the project.
"Three years ago, we looked upon an empty canvas," Safrit said Monday. "It was empty only to those without an imagination."
Murdock and his team filled the imagination with tangible results. He has started building a campus where scientists can come and collaborate.
Researchers will make discoveries that will change the world. Along the way, Kannapolis' and Cabarrus' economies will improve, flourish and prosper.
For his vision and early results, Murdock deserved accolades and thanks. He deserved the standing ovation he received after speaking.
What we saw Monday morning, the dawn of a new era in this area's history, will not be soon forgotten.
Unsigned editorials represent the opinions of this newspaper.
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Click a region for news specific to that area.
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
Advertisement
