A lot can happen in six months, and few know this to be as true as members of the Occupy movement. Since October, Occupy movements around the country have been vocal about their concerns.

As the most persistent Occupy chapter, Raleigh’s organization against corporate personhood, greed and tuition hikes has grown throughout the school year.

Among the most important events for Occupiers at N.C. State was the “mic check” on Wells Fargo CEO John Stumph. Several members of Occupy NCSU got together for an afternoon of protest leading up to a calling out of the CEO for alleged unjust business practices.

Ryan Thomson, member of Occupy NCSU and Raleigh and graduate student in anthropology, said it was among one his favorite moments this year.

“I’m still grinning about [the mic check] and I probably forever will,” Thomson said.

Bryan Perlmutter, junior in business administration, said the Stumph protest moved the group forward, and was one of the most exciting moments of the year.

“When we mic checked John Stumph earlier in the year, it was good, because it brought a lot of media attention, and it  brought to light who we should be letting speak at our University,” Perlmutter said.

Perlmutter said Stumph isn’t the type of speaker that should be lecturing at the University, implying his business ethics as questionable.

Ishan Raval, occupier and freshman in philosophy, cited the mic check as one of the most important highlights of Occupy NCSU. He thinks in general, the Occupy movement has inspired Americans to get off of their feet.

“Since the 60s there hasn’t really been anything like this,” Raval said. “Things have been quiet and people have been content watching TV and eating Big Macs.”

Perlmutter said it has sparked change not only among those who back Occupy, but it has changed politics in the U.S.

“The student movement in general really started to come together this year, and started some great things for our future,” Perlmutter said.

Katina Gad, senior in fashion and textile management, said the movement has spread awareness about corrupt banking practices.

“People are a lot more conscious of what the banks are doing,” Gad said.

And while Raleigh Occupiers traveled Wall Street to protest banks first-hand, some maintained a voice in North Carolina.

For Ryan Thomson, going to New York City to join those who started the movement was an experience he won’t forget.

“When I got to march on Wall Street and 6,000 people took over, that was huge for me,” Thomson said.

From New York City, to Raleigh, and around the country, the Occupy movement made and continues to change politics in America.

“We’ve shifted the political discussion,” Thomson said. “That is hands down the biggest thing that I think all of Occupy has done.”

As the school year unfolds, Occupiers plan to keep persistent in their views, with a change in attitude.

“We’ve taken to the Capital, we’ve readjusted our approach to local politics and are becoming increasingly engaged instead of othering ourselves and saying ‘we’re opposed to them,’” Thomson said. “We’re saying ‘here are the changes we want to see and here’s why.’”

The movement’s new approach is organized and self-aware, and Occupy Raleigh is currently back on the capitol lawn, protesting in defiance of what they call corporate greed.

“We’re getting more strategic with our campaign, we’re not trying to be so up in your face all of the time,” Thomson said.

Thomson reflected upon the work that he and Occupy NCSU have done, saying that the experience was great, and that he was proud of what he has accomplished.

“It has been a heck of a ride to say the least,” Thomson said.