Graduation

Private support empowers our graduates for a lifetime of success and impact — throughout North Carolina and beyond.

Each semester, NC State graduates an extraordinary group of people who will make a difference across North Carolina — and beyond. Our donors help ensure that these students have the experiences and opportunities vital to becoming career-ready citizens and lifelong learners.

From study abroad to working in a lab, and from excelling in service to representing the university at conferences, our graduating seniors have done it all.

Learn more about how private support over the past several years has helped prepare students to leave NC State ready to lead in their work, in the community and in life.

Xzavier Taylor standing against the Prague skyline during a study-abroad trip. Photo provided.

Imagining a Different Way

While this month’s commencement represented the culmination of 17 or 18 consecutive years of school for many NC State seniors, Taylor, 35, traveled a longer road to his bachelor’s degree in industrial design from the College of Design.

Kassidy Oliphant in red graduation gown with white sash

Becoming Her Best Self

When Kassidy Oliphant ’25 dreamed of attending NC State there’s no way she could have known what was in store. But while here she proved that when given the opportunity, there’s no limit to what she can Think and Do.

Beth Liles holds up wolfies in her graduation gear.

Never a Linear Path

Beth Liles ’25 is graduating from CALS this spring, after transferring from Wake Tech three years ago — and using her bioprocessing science degree, she’ll be starting work at Fujifilm in May.

Leading the Way

Mario Jackson Ph.D. ’24 graduated on May 4 with a doctorate in educational leadership, policy and human development. Jackson, a Wilcox-Hodnett Doctoral Fellow, researched principal preparation programs.

From Theoretical to Probable

NC State senior Etienne Phillips did more than simply dream about becoming a standout mathematician. He created, and solved, the equation to reach his goal – overcoming significant challenges along the way.

Samantha Steffanus posing in her cap and gown outside of an NC State building

No Fear

Samantha Steffanus ’24 is about to graduate from NC State with two degrees and five years of incredible experiences under her belt. What keeps her reaching for such great heights?

Abdullah Zaben in his cap and gown next to the Belltower

Many Healthy Pursuits

For graduating senior Abdullah Zaben ’24, attending NC State has been about much more than just classrooms and textbooks. The Caldwell Fellow’s extracurricular activities have helped his community in extraordinary ways while also preparing him for his next big step.

Olivia Ball in her cap and gown on a campus bench

Defining the Moments

Olivia Ball ’24 is graduating from NC State feeling like a much different person from who she was when she started. This transformation isn’t the result of one big change but a series of opportunities — including support from professors and donors — that have helped her grow along the way.

Propelled Toward Success

Growing up in Apex, North Carolina, Kelton Phillips never gave engineering much thought. Buoyed by the John Estes Conway Scholarship and the Doug and Whitney Yates Scholarship, he just graduated from NC State as an engineer who will keep airplanes flying.

Starr Gibens doing the wolfie in her graduation cap

Rising Starr

Starr Gibens is an expert at putting thought into action. The first-generation college graduate came to NC State with a list of what she wanted to accomplish, and she has done so much more as a leader, community member, scholarship recipient and advocate for her fellow students.

closeup of Lara Rabinowitz in her cap and gown at the belltower

Weaving a Bright Future

Private support enabled Lara Rabinowitz ’22 to study on campus and abroad during her time at NC State, all while combining seemingly different majors in seamless ways. Now she’s taking her (very) unique skillset out West for an exciting new career opportunity.
Read more

Loujain Al Samara in her graduation attire in front of the belltower

A Perfect Circle

Park Scholar Loujain Al Samara ’22 pursued a broad range of experiences during her four years at NC State, and she graduates this May with a new understanding of what she has learned, how she has grown and what comes next.

Dylan Inman does the wolfie in his cap and gown

Leaving a Legacy

Dylan Inman ’22 is off to Indianapolis to work for his fraternity, Theta Chi, as a growth specialist. But as an enthusiastic member of the Wolfpack, Inman says his long-term goal is to find a road that leads back to NC State.

Ambassador for Optimism

During his four years at NC State, Goodnight Scholar Vitus Putra ’22 not only challenged himself academically but also helped others through service and enriched the lives of those around him with his upbeat, positive outlook.

Lauren Kent sticks a landing in her gymnastics routine

Setting the Bar(s) High

Scholarship support helped Lauren Kent ’21 excel in the classroom and in competition as a business administration major and four-time All-EAGL Scholastic Team gymnast.

Giovanny Hernandez looks at a model in the classroom

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Giovanny Hernandez was inspired to teach by his time spent tutoring friends in high school. Now, with the help of a special scholarship, this College of Education standout is preparing to graduate in May 2021 and become a full-time educator.

Home Is Where the Pack Is

Though Sydney Floryanzia ’21 originally wondered if NC State was too close to home, she found numerous opportunities to grow and expand her horizons as a chemical engineering major, thanks to private support.

A Healthy Pursuit

With scholarship support, College of Sciences senior Dhuru Patel ’21 embraced a range of academic, extracurricular and service opportunities that cemented his decision to pursue a medical career and his determination to give back.

Esmira Poladova does the wolfie in front of a campus building in her cap and gown

Through the Darkness to Shine a Light

To become the first in her family to earn a degree, Esmira Poladova persevered through tragedy and challenges and, as an NC State senior, class of 2020, even became an advocate for other underresourced students.

Alex Rojas holding a door for another student

No Limits

Goodnight Scholar Alex Rojas ’20 is applying skills developed in the scholarship program to an internship at BioMedomics, where he leads a team assembling and shipping out boxes of rapid COVID-19 tests.

Abby Scheper in front of the Rocky Mountains

Graduating without Regrets

Being a Park Scholar has given Abby Scheper ’20 the opportunities and the confidence to lead and serve while excelling as a philosophy major with three minors.

Garrett Welsh in front of a Navy helicopter

Commissioned for Success

Receiving the Textile Military Scholarship didn’t just enhance Garrett Welsh’s NC State experience – it served as a vote of a confidence in his abilities and confirmation that his work in the classroom and as a member of the Naval ROTC hadn’t gone unnoticed. After May 2020 graduation, he planned to applies the skills he learned to a career in the Navy.

Amanda Maxwell showing off her Johns Hopkins tee shirt

Surrounded by Support at the CVM

Amanda Maxwell ’20 chose to attend the College of Veterinary Medicine not just for its reputation, but for its equally strong community. With support from faculty, classmates and donors, she is ready for the next step in her career as a laboratory animal veterinarian.

Pedestrians cross the Court of North Carolina with the 1911 Building in the background on a warm spring day

An Extraordinary Pathway to Success

Goodnight Scholars Christian Williams and Oscar Molina are heading in different directions after May 2020 graduation: vet school at the College of Veterinary Medicine and a role at Deutsche Bank. Both of these next steps were made possible through the Goodnight Scholars Program’s transfer pathway, created in 2017.

Getting Ready for the Real World

Internships and other opportunities at NC State are helping Park Scholar and computer science major Jasmine Wang ’19 shape a path toward project management.

A Vision for Doing Good

Layne Baker, a first-generation college student from rural North Carolina graduating in December 2019, used his time at NC State and in the Caldwell Fellows program to show others in a similar situation that college is attainable for them as well.

From Student to CEO

Park Scholar Emily Neville graduates from NC State in December 2019 with a bachelor’s degree – and a growing textiles business that she started as a sophomore.

A Passion for Producing Beneficial Reactions

NC State alumna Natalie Sherwood ’19 makes a connection between her love for theater and her love of polymer and color chemistry – with a little boost from philanthropy.

Cashie Naylor and Emily Fletcher in their caps and gowns in front of the Belltower

A Shared Path to Success

Study abroad, hands-on projects at the College of Natural Resources, scholarship support and friendship have helped prepare Cashie Naylor ’19 and Emily Fletcher ’19 for their next steps.

Engineering a Passion for Service

Asa Augustin ’19 graduates this month with an engineering degree — and a commitment to helping others, thanks to extraordinary experiences in the Goodnight Scholars Program.

A Chemical Chain Reaction

Scholarship support gave senior chemistry major Kaylie Kirkwood ’19 more time to work in the lab of David Muddiman, which has led to professional opportunities and her next adventure: pursuing a Ph.D. at NC State.

Tyler Haritan poses in Talley Student Union

A Dream Taking Flight

Tyler Haritan ’19 says scholarship support helped him navigate NC State’s Naval ROTC program and set him up for success as he chases his dream of becoming a fighter pilot.

LaTeisha Jeannis in front of Wake County Public School System sign

An Educator Right Where She Needed to Be

Innovative professors and support including the Augustus Witherspoon Graduate Fellowship ensured that the College of Education was the right place for LaTeisha Jeannis, Ph.D. ’19 – four times over.

Achieving Sustainable Success

In the College of Natural Resources, graduating senior Mary Paz Alvarez Valverde ’19 discovered a passion for understanding “trash” and its significance in today’s world.

A Spirit of Adventure

Being a Shelton National Scholar and Centennial Scholar helped Samantha Casey ’18 broaden her horizons, embrace her opportunities and develop her leadership abilities.

Staying in Rhythm

Goodnight Scholar Carl Jenkins ’18 found a home in electrical engineering, while pursuing his passion for percussion.

Designing a Strong Future

The Eduardo J. Catalano Scholarship helped Joshua Putnam ’18 achieve his longtime dream of becoming an architect.

A Diplomatic Life

A study abroad experience, supported by a scholarship, helped shape Kensley Cox ’18’s post-NC State plans to work in human resources.

Aiming High and Serving Well

Goodnight Scholar Dominique Weatherspoon ’18 is graduating this week with a degree in mathematics and a lot of extraordinary NC State experiences to remember.

Cultivating Community

Deirdre An ’18, who soon begins work in California as a viticulturist, found a family and a focus as a Park Scholar at NC State.

Meet Deirdre

A CVM Road Scholar

Private support allowed Olivia Myers, DVM ’18 to explore swine health from many angles and earn her degree from NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

A Platform to Excel

Anu Hanumanthu ’17 is preparing to graduate in May and begin medical school, but the aspiring physician will never forget the nurturing and welcoming community she found as an undergraduate at NC State.

Data-Driven Future

Thanks in part to receiving Poole College of Management’s John Deere Marketing Award scholarship and to being a student-athlete, Joshua Gandy ’17 recalibrated his road ahead through extraordinary leadership and service opportunities.

Born to Teach

With the support of the Moshakos Family Teacher Education Scholarship, Melissa Goto ’17 is graduating with a degree in elementary education.

Serving as a Role Model

The desire to make a difference is part of what makes Jessica Kraus ’17, a graduating senior in parks, recreation and tourism management, the perfect fit among NC State University’s Caldwell Fellows.

Call of the Wild

Private support in the form of scholarships and awards helped Sam Freeze ’16 turn his passion for wildlife into a career.

Speaking Her Language

Jessica Hatcher ’16’s participation in study abroad and undergraduate research changed her life, along with private support.