Wilson Family Builds on Legacy to Celebrate Textiles’ — and NC State’s — Future

Seven years ago, the Wilson family solidified their rich legacy at NC State with a historic naming gift for the Wilson College of Textiles. Rather than serve as a capstone, the gift launched an even deeper relationship between three generations of the Wilsons, the college and the university. 

Now, a new $10 million commitment from the family, led by Elizabeth Creswell “Cres” Wilson Calabrese ’89 and Frederick “Rick” E. Wilson III ’87, to support the Wilson College of Textiles and athletics honors these connections while celebrating NC State’s future under the leadership of Chancellor Kevin Howell. 

“This gift from the Wilson family is special because they have already fundamentally transformed NC State through their philanthropy,” Howell said. “Cres, Rick and I all attended NC State at the same time, and we share a commitment to helping current and future students achieve their goals.

“Their continued support is a powerful vote of confidence in our future — one that is deeply meaningful to me and our university. This is extraordinary, and NC State is grateful to benefit from the Wilsons’ leadership, commitment and generosity.”

A vote of confidence is exactly what the Wilsons intend to provide as they look ahead to NC State’s future.

“Chancellor [Randy] Woodson’s successful leadership of, and his passion for, NC State has played a large role in my family’s desire and willingness to support the Wilson College of Textiles. His down-to-earth attitude and recognition of the importance of a land-grant university are well aligned with our family’s values,” said Cres.

“I am thrilled that our new chancellor, Kevin Howell, possesses many of those same characteristics. That was an important catalyst behind our latest gift. We are confident that he will maintain the culture that is so important to NC State,” she shared. “His professional yet approachable demeanor, along with his passion for the Wilson College, made it a no-brainer for us to continue our support.”

When the family made their naming gift in 2018, three generations of Wilsons had graduated from NC State: Fred Wilson Jr. ’61, his children Cres and Rick, and Rick’s son Rede, who graduated in 2016. Since then, the Wilson footprint at NC State has expanded, with Cres’ stepson Michael Calabrese completing his degree in fashion and textile management in 2024. 

The family’s leadership has also grown. Cres serves as vice president for the North Carolina Textile Foundation Board of Directors, is a member of the Wolfpack Club Board of Directors and previously served on the leadership committee for Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy. Rede served as co-president and member for several years on the Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council at the Wilson College.

Working at Syntha Group, a High Point-based company founded as Piedmont Chemical Industries by Fred Wilson Sr. in 1938, the Wilsons continue to fuel North Carolina’s resurgence as a textiles and specialty chemicals industry powerhouse — which underscores their investment in the college. As the only textiles college in the Western Hemisphere, the Wilson College of Textiles is where students develop into compassionate leaders throughout the textile industry and beyond.

The college will receive $8 million from this new gift, which will bring the Centennial Scholarship program up to 40 fully endowed scholarships. Closing the endowment gap for the Centennial Scholarship program has been a primary goal for the college under Hinks’ decadelong leadership. 

“This gift exemplifies the Wilson family’s extraordinary kindness and generosity. It will enable future Centennial Scholars and student-athletes to be mentored and financially supported as they grow as service leaders and transform their own lives. The Wilsons’ commitment to the college is a powerful demonstration of our  ‘Wilson for Life’ philosophy. They are a family that focuses on bold, long-term impacts,” said David Hinks, dean of the Wilson College of Textiles and Cone Mills Distinguished Professor of Textile Chemistry.

“When they named the college in 2018, it ensured our college’s existence in perpetuity. Now, they have ensured that our nationally renowned Centennial Scholarship program will also exist in perpetuity, with countless students benefiting not just during their time on campus but throughout their lives.”

The timing is particularly meaningful: The Centennial Scholarship was created in 1999 in celebration of the Wilson College of Textiles’ Centennial Celebration, and this growth comes just after the college’s 125th anniversary. These merit-based awards — among the most impactful at any NC State college — support the academic, professional and personal journeys of outstanding textiles students who are committed to growing as leaders, problem-solvers and service-minded global citizens.

“Since its early days, the Centennial Scholarship program has helped this college recruit the brightest future textile professionals. The opportunity to expand access to life-changing experiences at our alma mater felt like a natural extension of our family’s commitment to giving back,” Rick Wilson said. “Our NC State textiles education has opened countless doors for us. We’re honored to help do the same for future students.”

The remaining $2 million of the gift will support NC State Athletics — an area the Wilsons are also deeply passionate about. In addition to Cres’ service on the Wolfpack Club board, the family were key supporters when the coronavirus pandemic disrupted traditional revenue streams, and they hold season tickets for multiple sports. 

As NC State’s teams continue to compete on the biggest national stages, the Wilson family’s gift helps the university leverage increased interest in Wolfpack athletics and better support current and incoming talent.

The gift will support the Athletic Director’s Enhancement Fund, which provides Boo Corrigan the flexibility to invest in the areas of greatest need and ensure Wolfpack student-athletes continue to have the opportunity to compete for ACC and national championships. With a deep roster of 22 sports, these unrestricted funds are critical to ensuring each can compete at the highest level.

“We’re lucky to benefit from leaders like Fred, Cres, Rick and the Wilson family, and I could not be more grateful for their support of Wolfpack athletics. One of the best things about NC State is the depth of our programs, and this investment in the Athletics Director’s Enhancement Fund helps put more of our sports at a competitive advantage,” said Boo Corrigan, McMurray Family Director of Athletics.

Combined, the Wilson family’s gifts represent a commitment to the student experience at NC State, from uniting to cheer on the Wolfpack to becoming future textiles leaders. 

“I could not be more grateful to Fred Wilson Jr. and his entire family. They are role models for humility, bold service leadership and investing in future generations,” Hinks said. “I am confident that these traits will increasingly become part of the DNA of our future students and proliferate throughout the world by our alumni and hundreds of industry partners for generations to come.”

Textiles Futures Philanthropists

With their latest gift, the Wilson family becomes the first Textiles Futures Philanthropists. This new approach to giving provides donors with avenues to holistically impact the Wilson College of Textiles at different giving levels. Gifts can go to the areas donors are most passionate about — including the Centennial Scholarship program, as the Wilson family has chosen — or donors can bundle their gifts to support the college’s most urgent priorities, including faculty, graduate students, high-impact experiences, student scholarships and the Dean’s Textiles Innovation Fund. To learn more, contact Michael Ward.

Kam King contributed to this story.