Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy

Impactful giving. Meaningful engagement. Influential leadership. Amazing learning.

Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy connects women in the NC State community to one another — across colleges, constituencies, backgrounds and generations — and to opportunities to support the university. There are many ways that women’s time, talents, treasure and testimony can make a difference for students, faculty and programs.

Our activities include:

advocating for greater diversity on the university’s volunteer leadership boards;
introducing women to programs and initiatives across campus;
educating women about ways to make financial gifts and the importance of such gifts;
participating in major university events such as Day of Giving, Pack Appreciation Day, Giving Tuesday, and Red and White Week;
linking women with additional volunteer or advancement activities at the university;
shining a light on women’s contributions and achievements at NC State;
and cultivating awareness among internal and external stakeholders about the importance of a holistic fundraising and engagement culture that embraces everyone.

Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy connects with experts in the field of women’s philanthropy and with similar higher-education programs nationwide as well as with staff at NC State. The group has fun together too.

Who We Are

We are a committed and talented group of multigenerational, multidisciplinary professional women dedicated to growing, recognizing and celebrating philanthropic contributions by women to NC State.

Mission of Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy
Build a sustainable, engaged network of diverse women committed to NC State through their leadership, philanthropy and influence.

Vision of Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy
Inspire and engage women to transform the culture of philanthropy at NC State through influential leadership and impactful giving.

Learn more about us

Opportunities for involvement

Leadership

Learn more about the leadership of Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy and the different ways our community is making a difference at NC State.

Ask the Pack

Join Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy on Ask the Pack. Connect with the best alumna who can answer your questions and provide advice.

Supporting Scholarships at NC State

Watch the panel discussion to learn more about the cost of attending NC State, student financial needs, and ways you can build a legacy and impact the lives of our most deserving students.

Watch the recording

students crossing in front of the 1911 building

Gift From Mary Fedewa ’91 Launches Mental Health App

NC State students now have access to the Headspace app, which fosters habits that support mental health, thanks to a generous gift from alumna Mary Fedewa ’91.

The copper wolves at Wolf Plaza near the Free Expression tunnel. Photo by Becky Kirkland.

Anna and Brad Sullivan Make Significant Gift to NC State Baseball Enhancement Project

The future of the #Pack9 and Doak Field at Dail Park continues to be bright thanks to NC State alumni, longtime Wolfpack Club donors and season-ticket holders Anna and Brad Sullivan.

Learn more

Lanier Family Makes Generous Gift to NC State Women’s Basketball

NC State alumni and loyal Wolfpack women’s basketball supporters Gayle and Dwain Lanier have made a generous $250,000 donation toward the program’s locker room enhancement plan.

Learn more

Contact

There is strength in the Pack, when it comes to collective impact — through financial support, volunteer service, advocacy and the other ways we can give back to NC State.

For more information, please contact us at WolfpackWomenInPhilanthropy@ncsu.edu or via this form.

Pack Profile: Suzanne Gordon

Suzanne Gordon not only supports her alma mater financially but also has served on several of its most important boards — something once unheard of for Wolfpack women.

Extraordinary Difference: Adama and Dewayne Washington

Adama and Dewayne Washington are some of the many Pack members who contributed to this historic fundraising effort. For the Washingtons, it was never a question of if they would give back to NC State but how.

the exterior building sign for the College of Textiles.

Sharing Community and Connection

Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy recently hosted a luncheon at D.H. Hill Jr. Library celebrating the past, present and future of NC State women. Held in collaboration with NC State University Libraries, the event brought together women spanning generations, academic disciplines, professions and university relationships, just as Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy does.

Marilyn Wattenbarger at the Wawona Tree.

What She Never Had: Laura Allred ’79 Gives in Honor of Her Mother

Laura Allred ’79 is creating the Marilyn Wattenbarger Scholarship Endowment in honor of her mother, who never had the opportunity to earn a college education.

Coaching Her Way to the Top

Former NC State champion runner and current women’s cross-country and track and field head coach Laurie Henes has become the Wolfpack’s director of track and field and cross-country programs.

Extraordinary Difference: Bria Cofield Wright

Bria Cofield Wright ’16 ’19, a fifth-grade English language arts and social studies teacher at Hortons Creek Elementary School in Cary, is able to continue her family’s proud academic tradition thanks in part to funding from the Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign.

Extraordinary Difference: Meriem Laroussi

Laroussi came to NC State to break the mold and learn like only she could. Through support from the Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign, she did just that — and more — as a Fitts Scholar in Fitts-Woolard Hall.

Extraordinary Difference: Vie Villafuerte

Vie Villafuerte ’22 is one of the many Pack members who have benefited from the Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign. Villafuerte got her chance at earning an engineering degree in the U.S. when her family moved from Peru so she could chase her dreams.

Extraordinary Difference: Elissa Cunane

Cunane is one of NC State’s best basketball players, but she stays just as busy off the court. With help from the Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign, student-athletes like Cunane are empowered as leaders in competition, the classroom and the community.

alumnae from mu omicron posing for a photo at the 2015 homecoming.

Lighting the Torch for Future Students

Five NC State alumnae have created a scholarship to honor the 45th anniversary of the Mu Omicron chapter of Delta Sigma Theta’s founding.

Esmira Poladova doing the wolfie hand symbol 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, even became an advocate for other underresourced students.

The Belltower through a brick arch with flowers underneath.

Modern Trailblazers Shaping NC State

While NC State has a whole cast of female trailblazers reaching back all the way to 1889, women on campus today are still breaking down barriers.