A Welcome Message from the Chair

Before I begin, I wanted to start by acknowledging the outgoing chair of Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy, Elin Gabriel (ChE ‘85). As our group’s first chair, Elin has done a phenomenal job of establishing our foundation of leadership and vision. I know I speak for many when I say, “Thank you, Elin,” for your continued service and dedication to NC State.

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Gayle Lanier, and this year marks 40 years since I graduated from NC State’s Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. I have had the good fortune to have served the university in many capacities since then, including as a member of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Visitors as well as the chair of the ISE Advisory Group. I am also a 2017 recipient of the Watauga Medal, for which I am truly grateful and honored.

Since Margaret Clement Burke enrolled as the first woman to take a course at then-A&M College in 1901, the face of women at this institution has continued to change and grow. I invite you to learn more of that history from our fantastic NC State University Libraries. Today, women make up more than half of the incoming first-year student population. And beyond campus, we also are major leaders and decision makers in businesses and in our personal lives. WWiP wants to be part of that change by inspiring and engaging women to transform the culture of philanthropy at NC State.

My love for NC State runs deep. My hope is that WWIP becomes a catalyst through which more women share that deep love and help to shape the culture of giving at NC State by channeling their time, talents, ties, testimonies and treasures. I look forward to continuing to work together to build the framework for connection and impact.

GO PACK!

Gayle Lanier, BSIE ’82