The Park Scholarships Class of 2021 has committed to raising $21,000 to benefit NC State Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship.

Embracing scholarship, leadership, service, and character, the Park Scholarships Class of 2021 has committed to raising $21,000 over the next five years to benefit NC State Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship. This endowment was created in 2015 by Chancellor Randy Woodson and his wife, Susan, to provide a $2,000 annual scholarship to the dependents of full-time employees at NC State. The university aims to raise the endowment to $30 million to be able to support all employee dependents in perpetuity. 

“We all have experienced the immense value of an education from NC State and were fortunate enough to receive funding to come to school,” shared Catherine Ault ’21. “As a class, we want to be part of an effort that grants the families of those that make NC State special the same opportunity.”

Each Park Scholar has selected an employee to honor with their gift. Academic advisors, dining staff, and professors are among the many university employees recognized by members of the Class of 2021 for having a significant impact on their NC State experience. Scroll below to find out who each Park Scholar has honored with their gift.

The Class of 2021 hopes that through committing to support this endowment, others will be inspired to follow their lead. 

Catherine Ault ’21: Honoring the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
My gift to the Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship is in honor of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Since my sophomore year, the faculty has done nothing but support me and my fellow classmates. They genuinely want us to succeed and are so friendly and accessible to students. They are invested in our growth and learning and it shows. My NC State experience would not be the same without them. Thank you so much NC State CBE!

Jessica Autry ’21: Honoring Mr. Paul Dunn
My gift to the Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship is in honor of Mr. Paul Dunn. Mr. Paul has always been a huge supporter of NC State and of me. He currently owns and operates Mule City Specialty Feed in my hometown of Benson, NC and supplies feed to many of the NC State livestock and equine units. Mr. Paul always encouraged me during high school and celebrated with me when he learned that I would be attending NC State to study animal science just as he had. Mr. Paul made a point to take me on a tour around State the summer before I began and has always remained invested in my personal growth. I am so grateful for the support of Mr. Paul in every chapter of my life.

Elijah Bouma-Sims ’21: Honoring Dr. Brad Reaves
My gift to the Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship is in honor of Dr. Brad Reaves. He has been my research mentor for the past three years, helping me learn necessary skills and contribute to meaningful projects. He has been an excellent resource for advice on applying to grad school. He also helped me through a tough time during my junior year.

Mallory Bryan ’21: Honoring Dr. Julie Casani
My gift to the Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship is in honor of Dr. Julie Casani. I first met Dr. Casani my freshman year when I participated in an Alternative Service Break trip to Ecuador. Through that experience, Dr. Casani introduced me to global public health for the first time, and fostered a passion for this field in me that changed the entire trajectory of my undergraduate years at NC State, and my lifelong career. Despite being an incredibly busy and important woman at the university, Dr. Casani always prioritizes time with students like myself, and goes out of her way to encourage and empower us. It is largely because of Dr. Casani that I have chosen to continue my education at the UNC Gillings School of Public Health. I am so grateful for Dr. Casani’s presence in my life over the last four years at NC State!

Georgia Burgess ’21: Honoring Dr. Kanton Reynolds
My gift to the Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship is in honor of Dr. Kanton Reynolds. Dr. Reynolds always makes time to advocate and care for his students. Even when my path changed, he was nothing but supportive and helped me figure out next steps. My time at NC State would not have been what it was without Dr. Reynolds as a mentor, and I’m endlessly appreciative for the time and energy he has put in to help me become who I am today.

Natalie Chazal ’21: Honoring Feed The Pack
My gift to the Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship is in honor of the Feed the Pack Food Pantry. Food insecurity is a pervasive issue on NC State’s campus and in the broader Raleigh community. Food security is a basal requirement that, when unmet, makes it especially challenging to thrive as a student or employee. I am grateful for the impact that Feed the Pack has had on our community!

Natalie Collier ’21: Honoring Ms. Elizabeth Lancaster, NC State Counseling Center
My gift to the Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship Fund is in honor of Elizabeth Lancaster and the NC State Counseling Center. She and the counseling center staff have provided me with valuable tools to navigate the unexpected throughout my college experience, and as a result they have helped me achieve my potential. I am so grateful to this group of people who continuously support ambitious students at NC State!

Hannah Cooper ’21: Honoring Dr. Astrid Schnetzer
My gift to the Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship is in honor of Dr. Astrid Schnetzer. I first met Astrid as an incoming freshman and was in awe of her research. In the past year and a half, I reconnected with Astrid and she has served as an incredible mentor, particularly during the pandemic. She is consistently genuine and kind and has connected me with resources and individuals that serve to advance my career. Astrid is remarkably dedicated to her students and mentees, and my undergraduate experience would not have been the same without her guidance and support. Thank you, Astrid, for having such a tremendous impact on my experience at NC State.

Elizabeth Dogbe ’21: Honoring Ms. Angelitha Daniel, Minority Engineering Program
My donation to the Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship is in honor of Ms. Angelitha Daniel, who works as the director of the Minority Engineering Program. Even before I started as a first-year student at NC State, Ms. Angie helped me prepare for college and make connections through the Summer Transition Program, or STP. Because of STP, I made friends and learned things not just about college, but also about being an adult, that I use to this day. Outside of coordinating STP, Ms. Angie works tirelessly to support minority engineering students by finding tutoring, making industry connections, running a mentorship program, and countless other things I don’t have the space to list here. It’s an honor to be able to give this donation in her name after all the incredible things she makes possible for me and other minority engineers.

Michael Evans ’21: Honoring Mr. Lewis Sheats and Mr. Gabe Gonzalez
My gift to the Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship is in honor of Lewis Sheats and Gabe Gonzalez with NC State Entrepreneurship. Throughout my time at NC State, Lewis and Gabe have been tremendous assets in helping our team build and grow 321 Coffee. The two of them are always willing to make themselves available to meet at any time of the day. They have been there for our team at every step of the way, and I am so thankful for their mentorship and support!

David Flowers ’21: Honoring Dr. JMark Scearce
I have had the opportunity to be taught by JMark for three semesters. During this time, he provided an atmosphere for exploration and the opportunity to be myself. His classroom and personality allowed me to feel comfortable in the College of Design and ultimately has inspired me to pursue my passion full-time upon graduation. JMark broke down the barriers of the design world through his charisma and enthusiasm for knowledge.

Micah Furr ’21: Honoring Alumni of the North Carolina Chapter of Alpha Zeta Fraternity
My gift is in honor of all alumni of the North Carolina Chapter of Alpha Zeta. Geared towards the promotion of agriculture, Alpha Zeta’s pillars are similar to the Park Scholarships: leadership, scholarship, character, and fellowship. An example of an alumnus of the North Carolina Chapter of Alpha Zeta who exemplifies this dedication and commitment to the promotion of agriculture is Dr. Bob Patterson. Like many other alumni of the fraternity, Dr. Patterson’s continued support and guidance year after year in putting together Agricultural Awareness Week on the Brickyard is crucial in its success. I am grateful to have met this group of likeminded people on NC State’s campus and will always cherish and hold dearly the many memories I made while promoting and learning about agriculture. As a soon-to-be-alumna myself, I hope to pay it forward and contribute to the organization in the same way Dr. Patterson and so many other alumni of the chapter have.

Salam Ibrahim ’21: Honoring Dr. Julie Ivy
My gift to the Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship is in honor of Dr. Julie Ivy. Dr. Ivy has played an immense role in my college experience. Since taking Health Care Systems Performance Improvement with Dr. Ivy, I have had the opportunity to learn about health systems engineering and its various applications in the world. She has continuously supported me and my classmates in our projects, research, and future careers. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to take her class and learn from her!

Mackenzie Lamb ’21: Honoring Dr. Seth Murray
My gift to the Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship is in honor of Dr. Seth Murray. I met Dr. Murray during my senior year of high school when I was unsure of what I wanted to study, and he introduced me to the international studies program at NC State. Since then, he has served as my international studies advisor and Park Faculty Mentor, supporting me through numerous changes of career interests and encouraging me to pursue a variety of opportunities in the United States and abroad. Dr. Murray’s commitment to international relations greatly inspired my academic pursuits, and I am so thankful for his support throughout my time at NC State.

Claire Ludwig ’21: Honoring Dr. Billy Flowers
My gift to the Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship is in honor of Dr. Billy Flowers. Dr. Flowers continuously advocates for all students and animals at NC State. Because of his support and friendship, I am now pursuing my dream of becoming a veterinarian. Thank you for all you have done for me and the students of NC State, Dr. Flowers!