Wolftext Textiles Alumni Newsletter

On Friday, November 12^th, the North Carolina Textile Foundation hosted the annual Named Scholar Dinner, bringing together College of Textile scholarship recipients and the donors who made these scholarships possible.  Over 150 guests attended the celebration, recognizing the College’s 125 student scholars and their benefactors.

Christopher Kauffman ’11, the Highland Industries Prestige Scholar, spoke at the event about the impact that scholarship had on his college experience. “When I was asked to speak tonight about what having a scholarship through the Foundation has meant to me and what it means to be a scholar here at the College of Textiles, two words immediately came into my mind. Those two words were family and opportunity,” said Kauffman.  He went on to add, “To me, being a scholar in the College of Textiles means being an active member in this family and taking advantage of every opportunity given.”

Dale Hayes ’78, VP of US Marketing for United Parcel Service and a member of the North Carolina Textile Foundation Board of Directors, spoke about the numerous opportunities that the College also provided for him.  Hayes expressed, “The opportunity the College of Textiles gave me was learning skills that have helped me throughout my career.”  He reached out to all by saying, “There is an opportunity and a responsibility that we all have to help others and give back to the College of Textiles through the North Carolina Textile Foundation.”  He also relayed the message to students that it will be up to the Named Scholars of today to make a difference for future generations. 

Dr. A. Blanton Godfrey, Dean of the College of Textiles, spoke briefly about the “New World of Textiles”, illustrating the immense growth the College has had and how the faculty and staff work together to meet the ever changing needs of the world of textiles.  Whether it be new findings in forensics, a new lithium battery, advanced blood and air filters or a textile design program, the College continues to evolve and, as a result, remains the premiere institution for textile education in the world. 

Steve Zeis ’62, President of ZTM Sales & Service, Inc. and member of the North Carolina Textile Foundation Board of Directors, was the MC for the evening’s program.  Steve and his wife, Frosene, have established the Steve & Frosene Zeis scholarship at the College and the Textiles Extension Education for Economic Development department is named after the Zeises.  Zeis was also named Textile Leader of the Year in 2010.”

Raising funds for scholarship continues to be a top priority for the North Carolina Textile Foundation.  A scholarship fund can be endowed with a minimum gift of $25,000, payable over five years.  For more information about how you can support the scholarship program, please contact the North Carolina Textile Foundation at 919-515-3878 or visit our website at www.tx.ncsu.edu/nctf/.