The Wilson College of Textiles Shatters Records on Day of Giving While Honoring 125 Years of Textiles Education

In a whirlwind of generosity, the Wilson College of Textiles reached a new pinnacle of success on NC State’s sixth annual Day of Giving.

On March 20, alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, industry partners and friends donated $3,714,038 to the Wilson College through 716 generous gifts.

“A record-breaking impact was made on Day of Giving this March, which is especially timely as NC State is celebrating 125 years of textiles education, research and innovation this year,” says David Hinks, dean of the Wilson College of Textiles. “Donor support is vital to advancing our college and enabling us to continue to be recognized globally as the pre-eminent textiles institution for the next 125. Regardless of the amount, I am deeply grateful to all who have given, on Day of Giving and and all days. Your support is the engine our Wilson For Life culture that, in turn, enables us to transform lives.”

Supporters helped spread the word about Day of Giving in a variety of ways, including text messages sent to friends, enthusiastic participation in social media challenges, and gifts of their time, talent and treasure. 

“Each year since 2019, members of our Wilson Wolfpack have come together on Day of Giving to invest in the future of textiles and the next generation of textile leaders,” says Michael Ward, executive director of the North Carolina Textile Foundation (NCTF), which serves as the philanthropic arm of the college. “We are proud to celebrate the power of philanthropy and the fact that every gift, no matter the size, will have an extraordinary impact.”

When compared to the Wilson College’s participation in previous Days of Giving, this year’s totals shatter records by over $1 million and 98 gifts. The college’s success also contributes to NC State’s Day of Giving groundbreaking total: $46 million raised from 21,920 gifts.

Textiles Highlights on Day of Giving

The outpouring of support for the Wilson College reverberated throughout the day. 

Several major gifts were instrumental in establishing and sustaining funds that will attract and retain top tier talent and help to further elevate the college’s legacy of excellence in textiles education and research. 

• Thanks to a significant gift from Ernie Chornyei, an esteemed 1965 alumnus, the Chornyei Endowment for Infrastructure, Equipment and Technology was established. This is the first named fund dedicated to maintaining the college’s world-class facilities, propelling student success and strengthening the textile industry.
  
• A substantial investment from the Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation will support the Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC) through the TPACC Enhancement Fund and the newly established TPACC Graduate Support Fund. This gift will greatly impact the center’s ability to deliver the science and education needed by the textile industry, the U.S. government and academia.
  
• Four new life-changing scholarships were generously established on Day of Giving:
  
  • The Calabrese Endowed Scholarship, created by Cres ’89 and Michael Calabrese, will provide unlimited opportunities to talented Textiles students by easing the financial burden they face.
    
  • The Debra Hess Centennial Scholarship, created by Debra Hess ’78, will directly benefit exceptional students with a preference for those who demonstrate a financial need. 
    
  • The Johnson Family Scholarship, created by Matt ’01 and Rebecca Johnson, will honor their family’s textiles legacy and provide transformational support to deserving students.
    
  • The Arthur Rogers Sr. Endowed Scholarship, created by siblings Marshall Rogers, Art Rogers and Trudy Evans, will provide students with affordable educational access in honor of their father, a pioneer in hosiery manufacturing and yarn development.
    
• More than 250 donations to the NCTF Centennial Scholarship Endowment unlocked a $100,000 gift from Nancy Webster ’75, president of the NCTF Board of Directors, to support her Webster-Kametches Centennial Student Enrichment Endowment and the ITT/Milliken Centennial Scholarship Endowment.
  
• After reaching $125,000 in donor support, the Wilson College unlocked a $250,000 gift from an anonymous donor to support the Flex Factory Capital Fund. This investment will enhance the Flex Factory’s world-class facility, making it the world’s leading makerspace for entrepreneurs to develop fiber and textile-based products and businesses. 

Beyond the numbers

The critical funding raised on March 20 goes far beyond the numbers.

It will directly benefit talented students, staff and faculty at the Wilson College and support world-class programs and research — today, tomorrow and beyond.

• Over $188,000 was raised to contribute to the life-changing Centennial Scholarship Program, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary and has awarded scholarships to more than 225 students since its creation in 1999.
  
• More than $26,500 was raised for the Dean’s Textiles Innovation Fund to empower Dean Hinks to provide financial assistance to critical areas, including the Peter R. Lord Tutoring Center — which offers free tutoring services for all textile and non-textile courses because of donor support.
  
• Nearly $2,000 was raised for the Textiles Wellness and Success Fund and over $5,500 for the Textiles Diversity and Inclusion Fund, both of which foster a culture of inclusivity and support for our students.
  
• More than $10,000 was raised for the enhancement funds for the Department of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management and the Department Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science. These funded more than 25 students’ international travel to attend the world’s largest textile and garment technology exhibition: ITMA.

Challenge wins brought in additional funding

Social media participation helped the college win five challenges on March 20, which contributed an additional $5,000 to the Dean’s Textiles Innovation Fund.

• 10 a.m. First-Time Donor Challenge: Julia Annibale, a spirited Textiles parent 
  
• Window into the Wolfpack Challenge: Helen Phifer, who fundraised to honor her father, Kenneth W. Winston Jr. ’51
  • She also won the Pack Leader with the Highest Dollar Amount Challenge
    
• Where’s the Wuf? Scavenger Hunt: Amanda Cease, a proud class of 2025 Centennial Scholar
  
• Last Gift of the Day Challenge: Susan Llanos, who serves as the college’s social media specialist