James and Kathrine Owens Celebrate Transformation With New Gift

Three-time alumnus and former NC State Board of Trustees chair Dr. James Owens and his wife, Kathrine, have made a $2 million gift commitment to NC State as part of Celebrating Transformation, a philanthropic initiative launched recently to honor the university’s upward trajectory under Chancellor Randy Woodson.

Woodson, who became NC State’s 14^th chancellor in April 2010, in July announced his intention to retire at the close of his current contract, which ends June 30, 2025.

The Owenses are among a group of alumni and friends whose gifts are driving Celebrating Transformation, which recognizes Woodson’s leadership and accomplishments, and the role he and his wife, Susan, have played in NC State’s growing success in recent years.

“I had the honor of serving the university as a trustee from 2009 until 2017, a period in which we hired Randy Woodson as our new chancellor,” Jim Owens said. “We were impressed early with his work, effort and dedication, and we embraced the strategic vision he worked to establish with his leadership team, the Board of Trustees, the UNC Board of Governors and other constituents. His vision was laced with bold goals and very specific measurable targets for improvement.

“Over the ensuing years, Chancellor Woodson built out his leadership team, and with them delivered on the established goals. NC State has risen steadily in national rankings in virtually every area — academics, student success, fundraising and athletics. Along this journey, Chancellor Woodson embraced multidisciplinary research — teaming scientists from different disciplines — as the key to tackling the world’s biggest challenges. Through his vision, NC State has established itself as a leader in this transformational space.”

The Celebrating Transformation gift from the Owenses includes $1 million for Woodson Hall, a cutting-edge facility for collaborative science education and discovery formerly known as the Integrative Sciences Building that’s being built on the Brickyard; $750,000 for their long-standing Nellie Maude Matthew Owens Scholarships; and $250,000 for a new Owens International Economics Endowment in the Poole College of Management that will enhance the study of economics, meeting needs for graduate student stipends, experiential learning opportunities, faculty grants and more.

Woodson’s leadership — and his ability to relate well to everyone from students and faculty to government and corporate officials — has set an example, inspired a culture of philanthropy and helped serve as the foundation for NC State’s strong momentum, Owens said.

“He’s a hard-working, fun-loving ball of energy who wants nothing but the best for our university and state. And importantly, he’s got a great supporter in his wife, Susan, a bonus who came with the Woodson package,” Owens said.

A native of Elizabeth City, Jim Owens is a 2006 recipient of the Watauga Medal, the university’s highest nonfaculty honor for significant contributions. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in textile technology as well as a doctorate in economics at NC State, and he retired in 2010 as CEO of Caterpillar Inc. after a 38-year career with the company.

The Owenses’ philanthropy at the university is wide-ranging. It includes the need-based Nellie Maude Matthews Owens Scholarships, which were established in 2009 and particularly target students from seven counties in northeastern North Carolina.

The couple has established the Owens-Shelton Distinguished Professorship in Leadership with a Global Perspective, the Owens Distinguished Professor of Supply Chain Management and the James W. Owens Distinguished Chair in International Economics. Their philanthropy also has benefited the athletics program, the Caldwell Fellows, the Our Three Winners Scholarship and more.

“The Celebrating Transformation initiative honors the Woodsons and what they have meant to NC State while setting the stage for our next university leader,” said Brian Sischo, vice chancellor for university advancement. “Jim and Katie Owens have been an important part of building a culture of philanthropy that supports excellence for our students, faculty and programs in so many ways. We are grateful for their continued generosity.”

Owens echoed the importance of preparing for NC State’s future and supporting the next chancellor.

“Leadership transitions are a critical time for any large organization,” Owens said. “We could rest on our laurels and try to maintain our newfound status or set a new set of bold initiatives to take our university to an even higher level of excellence and leadership. Celebrating Transformation could help propel NC State to the top of the ladder in a number of areas of scientific research and teaching.

“It’s critical that we build on the Woodson legacy of improvement and establish NC State as even more of a leader among the United States’ STEM-centered universities.”