How Day of Giving 2025 Powered Success for Textiles Students
Last year, generosity on Day of Giving went far beyond the numbers. Donations made in 2025 continue to shape the student experience at the Wilson College of Textiles, from funding an inaugural scholarship to supporting research and student-led events.
A single day of generosity can shape an entire year of opportunity.
Last year on March 26, the Wilson College of Textiles community came together once again to raise $1,012,414 from 545 gifts on NC State’s Day of Giving.
In turn, that impressive donor support during the 24-hour fundraiser strengthened scholarships, elevated student experiences and fueled the programs that power the college forward.
Beyond the total raised, Day of Giving 2025 is ultimately a story of what donors made possible, and how quickly that support translated into impact.
“Day of Giving is one of the clearest examples of what happens when a community rallies around students,” says Michael Ward, executive director of the North Carolina Textile Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Wilson College of Textiles. “Every gift, at every level, helps us respond to real needs and keep our college moving forward.”
What follows is a closer look at four funds that received strong support on Day of Giving, and the outcomes already taking shape because donors chose to make their mark.
NCTF Centennial Scholarship Endowment
Thanks to donor support, the North Carolina Textile Foundation (NCTF) Centennial Scholarship Endowment provided its first award this fall.
The inaugural recipient is Jesse Toscano, a first-year student majoring in fashion and textile management with a concentration in fashion development and product management, from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.
Inaugural NCTF Centennial Scholar
“This may sound cliché, but I know in my heart and mind that I am capable of greatness and success,” Toscano shares. “Thanks to my NCTF Centennial Scholarship, I am empowered to do whatever it takes and work however hard I need to in order to build something incredible.”
TECS Enhancement Fund
Day of Giving donors helped the Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science (TECS) Enhancement Fund sponsor 39 students to participate in the 2025 Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program.
Those students worked with 19 faculty in four service labs, including the Zeis Textiles Extension and the Milliken Textile Protection and Comfort Center, to gain direct experience in research, experimentation and applied problem-solving.
Two examples bring the numbers to life:
- Andrianna Hodges researched footwear performance and comfort, and the experience propelled her to the next step. This fall, she chose to continue her journey at the Wilson College as a textile engineering graduate student.
- Will Swanson taught himself the programming language of the college’s Jacquard loom to test its capabilities, showcasing the kind of curiosity and initiative that research opportunities can unlock.
TATM Enhancement Fund
Departmental funds help academic programs continue to prepare the next generation of leaders.
Day of Giving gifts to the Department of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management (TATM) Enhancement Fund went above and beyond to benefit students.
Four graduate students attended the 2025 International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference in November — registrations paid by the fund.
Day of Giving donors also helped partially fund two major TATM student-led events:
- 2025 FTD Emerging Designers Senior Showcase
- This well-attended showcase debuts the senior collections of students graduating from the Wilson College of Textiles’ fashion and textile design (FTD) program.
- 2025 Threads Fashion Gala
- Each fall, a group of fashion development and product management students set out to create their own unique five-look collections to showcase at the end of the semester.
Whether a student is presenting research, building a professional network or bringing a creative vision to the runway, these experiences are where learning becomes leadership.
Dean’s Textiles Innovation Fund
The Dean’s Textiles Innovation Fund was created to empower the dean of the Wilson College of Textiles to provide financial assistance to areas with the most critical need, as quickly as possible.
Through generous Day of Giving support, this fund helped deliver targeted investments across the college, including:
- $30,000 in personnel costs to support the college’s counselor as he provides critical support for students’ mental health.
- $8,000 to fund a partial graduate assistantship for a student who supports the Wells Fargo Pitch to the Pack competition.
- $5,000 for safety initiatives around the Textiles Complex and in labs to promote a culture of safety.
- $2,000 to support two 2025 fashion shows: Art2Wear and the African American Textile Society’s Fashion Exposé.
This is what agility looks like in action: meeting immediate needs and strengthening the environment where students can thrive.
Looking to 2026 to make a mark on Textiles
The impact made through Day of Giving 2025 ripples outward.
It shapes careers, strengthens the textile industry and reminds students that they are part of something bigger than themselves.
“We’re grateful to every donor who showed up for Textiles,” Ward says. “Your generosity turns into experiences, resources and support that help students stay focused on learning and confident in what comes next.”
On March 25, 2026, NC State Day of Giving offers the next opportunity to be part of that story. And for many students, that support arrives right when it’s needed most. It can be the difference between simply getting through a semester and truly thriving.
Your support on Day of Giving and beyond will help ensure Textiles students have the resources, experiences and encouragement to keep pushing what’s possible.
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