W. Duke Kimbrell ’49 Wins the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award

The legacy of W. Duke Kimbrell continues to inspire through his relentless drive and enduring impact on the textile industry.

From sweeping floors as a part-time summer employee at Parkdale Mills to becoming the company’s CEO and later being named one of the most influential textile executives of the 20th century by Textile World magazine, Kimbrell’s journey to success is truly remarkable. 

Throughout his prolific career, he proudly credited his 1949 bachelor’s degree in textiles from NC State’s then School of Textiles for laying the foundation of his pioneering path.

“My father poured his heart into everything he did, including this university. He often said that NC State and the Wilson College of Textiles changed his life, and he spent the rest of his life paying that gift forward.”

On Sept. 11, at NC State University’s inaugural NC State Honors celebration, Kimbrell was posthumously honored for his extraordinary leadership and service with the university’s Distinguished Alumni Award for the Wilson College of Textiles.

Recipients of the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award are recognized for excelling in their careers, making a difference in their communities and giving back to their alma mater.

Kimbrell has set the standard in all three areas and beyond. 

“W. Duke Kimbrell’s vision and generosity have opened doors for generations of students who will go on to shape the future of our global textile industry,” says David Hinks, dean of the Wilson College of Textiles. “His belief in the transformative power of education continues to strengthen our mission as the world’s preeminent college for textiles leadership, research and innovation. This award symbolizes our profound gratitude for his support, and we’re so proud to call him an alumnus.”

Hinks joined Pamela Warlick, Kimbrell’s daughter, on stage at the NC State Honors celebration to present her with the award in memory of her late father. With a heartfelt smile, she accepted the award on behalf of her family and the Kimbrell Family Foundation.

“My father poured his heart into everything he did, including his company, his community and this university,” shares Warlick. “He often said that NC State and the Wilson College of Textiles changed his life, and he spent the rest of his life paying that gift forward. Accepting this award for him is deeply meaningful to our family.”

A story of triumph, success and generosity

Kimbrell’s story began with a broom in hand. 

As a teenager sweeping floors at Parkdale Mills, he developed an early respect for hard work and craftsmanship. That same drive propelled him from the shop floor to the boardroom.

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in textiles from NC State in 1949, he returned to Parkdale eager to apply the technical and leadership skills he had gained. His talent for innovation and his fearless business instincts quickly set him apart. By 1967, Kimbrell had become president and chairman of Parkdale Mills.

Under his leadership, Parkdale grew from a single mill with 200 employees into a global powerhouse. The company expanded to 26 plants, employed more than 5,000 people and generated over $1 billion in annual sales. Today, Parkdale remains the world’s leading manufacturer of spun yarns and the largest consumer of cotton in the United States.

 “Duke would be so proud of the incredible advancements happening at NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles,” Davis Warlick, chief operating officer at Parkdale Mills, shares. “There was nothing he loved more than the textile industry, his alma mater and giving back to the community. He would be mighty proud to see that his passion for helping the textile industry push forward lives on through the work being done here on this campus.”

Kimbrell’s influence also reached beyond business. 

His philanthropy, made possible through the Wilson College of Textiles’ North Carolina Textile Foundation, reflected his lifelong belief that success should open doors for others.

In 2008, he established a $3 million endowed scholarship fund for NC State’s textile students. His generosity continues to support students from North Carolina, particularly those from his home community of Gaston County. To date, 73 students have benefited from the W. Duke Kimbrell Centennial Scholarship Fund and the Kimbrell Scholarship Fund, with 17 current recipients enrolled at the Wilson College of Textiles.

To honor his impact, the college named the W. Duke Kimbrell Atrium in his memory. This 4,617-square-foot space serves as the college’s largest gathering area, inspiring creativity and connection among students, staff, faculty and visitors.

“Every time a student presents research, forms a partnership or discovers a new idea in this space, they’re continuing the legacy of innovation that W. Duke Kimbrell started,” says Hinks. “He believed deeply in the potential of our students and their ability to transform their own lives and the American textile industry.”

That commitment to innovation is now taking physical shape through the W. Duke Kimbrell Flex Factory, a cutting-edge global hub for textile innovation and entrepreneurship named in his honor in 2025. Construction is currently underway on NC State’s Centennial Campus, where the state-of-the-art facility will soon house advanced technology and provide hands-on learning opportunities that reflect Kimbrell’s own forward-thinking approach to textiles.

“W. Duke Kimbrell’s vision and generosity have opened doors for generations of students who will go on to shape the future of our global textile industry. His belief in the transformative power of education continues to strengthen our mission as the world’s preeminent college for textiles leadership, research and innovation. This award symbolizes our profound gratitude for his support, and we’re so proud to call him an alumnus.”

“This new space perfectly captures who my father was: bold, forward-looking and committed to helping others achieve their best,” reflects Pamela Warlick. “He would be humbled to know that his name will continue to inspire generations of students who, like him, dreamed big and worked hard to make those dreams a reality.”