DRAUGHON DRAWS: Kevin Howell's 38-year journey to become N.C. State's chancellor

CBC Editorial: Thursday, March 20, 2025; #8974

The following is the opinion of Capitol Broadcasting Company.

Newly appointed N.C. State University Chancellor Kevin Howell was more than editorial cartoonist Dennis Draughon’s fellow Wolfpack alumnus. In 1987 Howell defeated Draughon and five others to become student body president – the first African-American to hold the post.

Today’s editorial cartoon bridges a 38 year gap from a cartoon Draughon did in 1987, following Howell’s landmark election.

Dennis Draughon’s April 13, 1987 editorial cartoon in the NCSU Technician following Kevin Howell’s election as student body president.

While Draughon had some notoriety as the editorial cartoonist for The Technician – the NCSU campus newspaper – it wasn’t enough to build much of a wave of support – capturing a mere 1.7% of the vote.

But the crowded slate of candidates mandated a runoff. Even then, Draughon recalls, Howell was “an all around outstanding gentleman, very smart, capable and with a good sense of humor.”

In the runoff against two other candidates – familiar names in North Carolina politics Billy Maddalon and Perry Woods – Howell captured more than 50% of the vote.

By Draughon’s assessment then and now, Howell displayed great potential for the future.

Maddalon served on Charlotte City Council and has been a candidate for the N.C. state House of Representatives. Woods is a well-known Raleigh-based political consultant, with clients including former Raleigh mayors Charles Meeker and Nancy McFarlane.

Charles Helms, another candidate on the presidential slate, had a 27-year career with the N.C. Department of Revenue – including director of the Collections and Customer Services divisions before becoming executive director of the Southeastern Association of Tax Administrators and director of compliance and regional sections for the Federation of Tax Administrators.

A look at the 1987 candidates for N.C. State student body president, from the March 20, 1987 edition of The Technician, the campus newspaper.