N.C. State fires alumni group chief

North Carolina State University has fired the executive director of its alumni association, Chancellor Jim Woodward said late Monday.

Woodward said in a statement that the decision to fire Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni Relations Lennie Barton came after "extensive discussions" with the university's Board of Trustees and a "careful and thorough evaluation" of the financial standing and operations of the alumni association.

"I firmly believe that new leadership is needed if the defined mission and purpose of the alumni association are to be successfully pursued in the years ahead," he said. "N.C. State’s best years are ahead, and I invite all alumni to help build a stronger and more vibrant alumni relations program and alumni association in support of your university."