Two Staff Members Win NC State Awards for Excellence

By Sarah Stone

Two Wilson College of Textiles staff have been honored with the most prestigious awards given to non-faculty employees at NC State. 

Support Services Associate Bryson Keen and Director of Communications and Marketing Amanda Padbury were this year’s winners of the Awards for Excellence from the Wilson College. The awards celebrate Padbury and Keen’s accomplishments and impact on the college, the community and the university as a whole. Below, meet this year’s winners and learn impressive achievements highlighted in their nomination. 

Bryson Keen

Bryson is a Support Services Associate and is responsible for receiving and delivering packages, office and other moves, surplus, warehouse inventory, submitting facilities work orders, safety signage, and distribution of COVID-19 safety items. Bryson was nominated to represent the Wilson College of Textiles in the “Customer Service” category.

“Bryson is an incredible asset to the Wilson College community and has probably helped every single faculty and staff member at some point. Bryson is so quick to respond and deliver on submitted facilities requests. No matter how much he has going on, he is always willing to step in to help others even if that means rearranging his schedule. On numerous occasions, faculty and students have expressed great appreciation for Bryson’s willingness to help unload, unpack and set up new and heavy equipment. During these projects he always emphasizes the safety of others. In addition, throughout the pandemic, Bryson has been instrumental in helping ensure college facilities were stocked with necessary safety equipment and signage. Each member of our staff and faculty can work more efficiently thanks to Bryson’s support.”

Amanda Padbury 

As the Director of Communications and Marketing, Amanda leads the development and implementation of print and web communications, marketing and media and public relations for the college, to position us as the global leader in textile education, discovery, innovation and service. 

“Amanda has done an incredible job enhancing the college communication efforts since becoming the director of marketing and communication. She immediately overhauled the college’s existing online presence and oversaw the creation of numerous stories highlighting the outstanding work of students, staff and faculty to be featured on the website and social media. Her meticulous attention to detail and dedicated work ethic has helped grow the college’s social media engagement with new and existing followers. She collaborates with all college units and initiates incentives to encourage community members to share their work and be featured in our communication efforts. Amanda’s leadership is extremely important in helping us tell our story when recruiting new students, maintaining alumni connections, bringing in development donors and sharing the great work of our community members with internal and external stakeholders.”