Fred Wilson Jr.\u2019s gifts to NC State\u2019s College of Textiles have humble roots. He made his first donation, of $25, in 1995 on Valentine\u2019s Day to support the college\u2019s Dean\u2019s Textiles Innovation Fund. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twenty-three years later, in 2018, he and his wife, Barbara, joined their family in making a far larger contribution to the college that educated three generations of the Wilson family. That $28 million gift named the Wilson College of Textiles in perpetuity and is still the largest gift ever made to the college in its 123-year history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To honor the Wilsons\u2019 extraordinary generosity and dedication, the NC State University Foundation<\/a> recently recognized the couple with its 2022 Menscer Cup Award. This honor<\/a>, which was established in 1997, is presented to individuals or families who exemplify the philanthropy, dedication and leadership of the foundation\u2019s former board chair Darrell Menscer and his late wife, Carolyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NC State University Foundation held a special joint ceremony on Dec. 8 to celebrate the Wilsons and Dewayne and Adama Washington, who are the recipients of the Jerry and Elizabeth Godwin Red Torch Award. The event was held in Carter-Finley Stadium\u2019s Dail Club and was attended by the couples\u2019 friends and family members, college deans, faculty members and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an honor to be here tonight to help shine the spotlight on two couples who have truly gone above and beyond to help NC State,\u201d Chancellor Randy Woodson said during the ceremony. \u201cDewayne and Adama Washington and Fred and Barbara Wilson have not just given transformational gifts to areas of our university that are important to them; they have encouraged others to give by providing them with a lasting example of selfless support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n