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William A. Withers Endowment: Shaping Chemistry’s Next Generation

Impact

Jul 24, 2026

New Members Join the NC State Alumni Association Board of Directors

The NC State Alumni Association board of directors welcomed six new members this July. These passionate Pack members are leaders in their respective fields and active with the university through their involvement in volunteering, philanthropy and participation in various experiences.

Jul 24, 2026

Wolfpack Earns Sixth-Straight Top-25 Learfield Directors’ Cup Finish

NC State athletics finished the season at No. 22 in the 2025-26 Learfield Directors' Cup, marking the sixth straight top-25 finish for the Wolfpack as well as the seventh overall top-25 showing in school history. Donor support for NC State’s athletic programs and facilities helped make this extraordinary achievement possible.

Jul 24, 2026

The Friends of the Libraries Welcomes New Members

The NC State University Libraries recently welcomed three new members to the Friends of the Libraries Board of Directors for 2026. Melissa Noel, Johnathan Tucker and Angela Rowe have joined the board to promote student success, research excellence and community learning through the Libraries’ outstanding services, programs and spaces.
Image of the Bell Tower surrounded by tree foliage

Jul 24, 2026

2025-26 Park Enrichment Grants Announced

This year, 99 Park Enrichment Grants were awarded to Park Scholars, funding experiences from global service and cutting-edge scientific research to career-building internships and intensive language study.

Jul 24, 2026

Turning Roadblocks Into Stepping Stones

NC State alumni Dan and Jean Eddleman have made a three-part planned gift to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative and the Division of Academic and Student Affairs that will help support Wolfpack students for years to come.

Jul 24, 2026

Investing in Future Designers

Through essential funding and a community of mentors and peers, the Design Pathways Program supports design students in need of financial aid, empowering them to achieve their academic goals. The program was established in 2024 by a generous gift from NC State alumnus Jerry Cook and his wife, Marilyn.

Jul 24, 2026

Marine Science Professor Named Goodnight Distinguished Chair in Sustainability

The College of Sciences has named Chris Osburn of the Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences as the Goodnight Distinguished Chair in Sustainability. Created in 2024 thanks to a gift from Dr. James and Mrs. Ann Goodnight, the professorship will further Osburn’s leadership in environmental research and discovery, community engagement, innovation and ocean sustainability.

Jul 24, 2026

Ahmed El-Shafei Named INVISTA Distinguished Professor

Ahmed El-Shafei has been named the INVISTA Distinguished Professor of Fiber and Polymer Chemistry at NC State in recognition of his contributions to the advancement of sustainable materials, high-performance fibers and processing technologies with ongoing research.

Jul 24, 2026

CCEE Professor Recognized as ‘Trailblazer’ in Forever Chemicals Research

Detlef Knappe, a 30-year faculty member at NC State and the S. James Ellen Distinguished Professor of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, recently received the 2026 Trailblazer Award from the National PFAS Conference in recognition of his research on forever chemicals. The annual award honors those who have inspired transformative change in advancing PFAS understanding and/or health protective action.
Black and white photo of students leaving Withers Hall circa 1950-1959

Jul 6, 2026

William A. Withers Endowment: Shaping Chemistry’s Next Generation

Alumna Mary W. Richardson’s planned gift honored her father William A. Withers’ work in the Department of Chemistry. Years later, their legacy is still shaping the next generation of scientists.