EVENT SCHEDULE

LOCATION DETAILS

North Carolina State University - Centennial Campus
890 Oval Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27606

Directions

Find directions to the venue here.

Route Map

Want to get familiar with the route before the event? Check out the route here. All routes will be family‑friendly and will have options for those who wish to take a shorter, lighter stroll.

Parking

Free parking is available at the Oval West Parking Deck and Monteith Engineering Research Center Building (MRC) underground parking.

Pets

We love animals just as much as you do! However, due to safety and liability reasons, pets are not allowed at Pancreatic Cancer Action Network events. Service animals are welcome.

Strollers and Wheelchairs

Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome at PurpleStride!

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Register for free today and kickstart your fundraising! Raise or make a personal donation of $50 or more to get a PurpleStride T-shirt. Raise $1,000 or more to become a Grand Club member and get an exclusive gift.

SPECIAL GUESTS

DJ Thom Dunn

DJ Thom Dunn has enjoyed a career as a professional Disc Jockey for over 25 years. Starting as a hobby during college at Appalachian State University, in Boone, NC, he quickly turned his hobby into a successful career, while achieving two college degrees; one in marketing and one in advertising and graphic design.

As a mobile DJ, Thom has performed for all kinds of events, including weddings, birthdays, sorority and fraternity functions, church events, neighborhood events, pool parties, charity events, etc., proving his ability to play to many diverse crowds and mix the music of many musical genres. Although his forte is in the top-40 arena, Thom has a vast knowledge of music from all cultures and formats. His ability to “read a crowd” ... something many DJs either don’t care about or don’t have the ability to do ... makes him a true asset to any venue or event that he is playing.

Ken Smith

Professional Experience:
WBNB-TV, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; WRBL-TV, Columbus, Ga.; WSAV-TV, Savannah, Ga.; KGW-TV, Portland, Ore.; WSFA-TV, Montgomery, Ala.; WRAL-TV

Awards & Recognition:
Awards include a 2008 Mid-South Regional Emmy for best weekend newscast; 2009 Mid-South Regional Emmy for Spot News; 2012 Mid-South Regional Emmy for Breaking News; 2012 National Emmy nomination for Breaking News; Two Georgia Associated Press awards for best spot news and best feature.

News Philosophy:
News is about people. If we can make it relevant to the lives of the people in our community, we have done half of our jobs. The other half is making sure that information is accurate and pertinent.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, 1986, University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla.

Birthplace:
I was born on the Island of Tortola, British Virgin Islands and grew up on the Island of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Involvement:
Tennis, reading, hiking, music (jazz&calypso); a self-proclaimed Foodie; Special Olympics N.C. volunteer; Wake County schools volunteer

Family:
Married to Amanda Bitler-Smith; Sons: Franklin Kensley and Jamard Karim. Parents, aunts and uncles who still reside in St. Thomas

Favorite Books & Movies:
I enjoy suspense novels, books about history and biographies as well as travel and food magazines. I'm a huge fan of authors Douglas Brinkley, James Patterson, Dan Brown and Lee Childs. I'm a big fan of old movies like "Casablanca,""An Affair to Remember," 007 James Bond movies, “Live and Let Die,” “Dr. No,” “Goldfinger,” Classics like “Rear Window,” “The Godfather” (all three)

Likes Best About North Carolina:
The North Carolina coast which reminds me of growing up in the Virgin Islands and the North Carolina Mountains, particularly during the Fall, my favorite time of the year.

Most Memorable Assignments:
Covering the news gives us an opportunity to have a front-row seat to memorable and historical events in our community and sometimes around the world. In our community, I witnessed firsthand the resilience and fortitude of friends and neighbors after Hurricane Irene and the April Tornado of 2011. Overseas, I was given such an opportunity to travel with Fort Bragg troops to northern Afghanistan in 2011 and the battle in Iraq in 2003 & 2004. I considered it an honor and a privilege to tell the stories of the troops waiting in Kuwait to head to the frontlines and the Fort Bragg troops stationed in Mosul, Iraq.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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CONTACT US

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