2022 — Fred and Barbara Wilson
The Wilsons are generously philanthropic to a wide range of efforts across NC State, most notably their inspirational $28 million gift naming the Wilson College of Textiles during the university’s recent Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign. They have also been committed supporters of Wolfpack Athletics, especially as Guardian Wolves during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 — Thomas E. Cabaniss
Tom Cabaniss graduated from NC State in 1972 and has consistently supported the university in the decades since via his time, talent and finances. In recognition of all he has done to advance his alma mater, Tom received one of its highest philanthropic honors Dec. 9, 2021, in a special ceremony attended by his family, friends and more.

2019 — Ed and Deb Fitts
The Fittses are longtime benefactors of the College of Engineering and its Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Their transformational gifts to scholarships, fellowships, faculty positions and cutting-edge facilities have gone hand in hand with their strategic, visionary thinking.

2018 — Park Foundation
The Park Foundation has been recognized with the 2018 Menscer Cup for its long-term philanthropic commitment to NC State, including the creation of the Park Scholarships Program.

2017 — Dr. Jim Owens
Owens received the foundation’s 2017 Darrell and Carolyn Menscer Cup for outstanding philanthropy, dedication and leadership on behalf of NC State during a dinner held Dec. 7 at the StateView Hotel on Centennial Campus. The presentation was made by Chancellor Randy Woodson and Trent Ragland, chair of the foundation’s board of directors.

2016 – Benjamin P. “Ben” Jenkins III
Benjamin P. “Ben” Jenkins III, Jenkins was honored with the 2016 Darrell and Carolyn Menscer Cup, the North Carolina State University Foundation’s highest award for philanthropy, dedication and leadership on behalf of the university. Jenkins is a current member and past chair of the NC State Board of Trustees.

2015 – William H. “Bill” Prestage
William H. “Bill” Prestage, the founder, owner and president of Clinton-based Prestage Farms Inc., was recognized with the 2015 Menscer Cup, the North Carolina State University Foundation’s highest award for philanthropy, dedication and leadership on behalf of the university. Prestage has chaired the NC Agricultural Foundation Board and served on the Vet Med Foundation Board, and in 2006 he received the FFA Premier Partner Award. He and his wife, Marsha, are members of NC State’s Alexander Quarles Holladay Lifetime Giving Society and the Chancellor’s Circle. In 2013 the Prestages made a transformational gift to establish the Prestage Family Department of Poultry Science within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

2014 – Linda and Wendell Murphy
Linda and Wendell Murphy have a distinguished record of philanthropy, leadership and service to NC State. They are members of the Alexander Quarles Holladay Lifetime Giving Society and honorary lifetime members of the Alumni Association, as well as founding members of the State Club and members of the University Club. Wendell graduated with his B.S. in agriculture education from NC State in 1960 and has served the university in many roles since then. He chaired the Board of Trustees during his first round of service as a trustee from 1999 until 2007, and rejoined the board last year. He also chaired the NC State University Foundation, the Wolfpack Club Board of Directors, the Endowment Board and the Development Board. Linda and Wendell’s philanthropy has helped power scholarships, programs, research and teaching enhancements, and capital projects across campus. The two have also been generous Wolfpack Club supporters.

2013 – Bob and Carol Mattocks
For nearly 45 years, Bob and Carol Mattocks have supported initiatives spanning the breadth of NC State. They support athletics, the Gregg Museum, 4-H, the Marching Band, NCSU libraries, the Institute for Emerging Issues, the College of Education, and much more. But perhaps their biggest impact has been their support of the Bob and Carol Mattocks University Scholars Program. For 13 years, they have provided university-wide, merit-based scholarships to students with financial need from Eastern North Carolina.

2012 – Lonnie Poole
Lonnie is a long-time supporter of NC State and the Raleigh community. In 2010, Lonnie announced a $40M gift to NC State, the largest in the university’s history. From 1997 to 2008, Lonnie provided extraordinary counsel and leadership as a member of the NC State University Foundation Board of Directors. Lonnie continues to serve the university as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Endowment Fund.

2011 – Frank Culberson
Frank is the current President of the NC State Engineering Foundation Board of Directors and served as co-chair of Achieve! The Campaign for NC State in the College of Engineering. He and his wife, Doris, have been generous supporters of the College of Engineering and pledged $1 million to endow two professorships in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

2010 – Curtis & Jacqueline Dail
The Dails have been significant benefactors to NC State Athletics, the Alumni Association and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. They also generously established the Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium on campus.

2009 – Lynn W. Eury
Lynn has served on numerous NC State boards and committees and was chair of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. He and his wife, Faye, established the Lynn W. and Faye Y. Eury/John T. Caldwell Scholarship Endowment and have supported the College of Engineering, ARTS NC State and the Lonnie Poole Golf Course.

2008 – Robert B. Jordan, III
Former N.C. Lt. Gov. Bob Jordan established the Jordan Family Undergraduate Honors Program in the College of Natural Resources and has funded a professorship in Natural Resource Innovation. He is the former chair of the NC State Board of Trustees, NC State University Foundation and the NC Forestry Foundation.

2007 – Jim & Ann Goodnight
As the founder s of SAS, Jim and Ann Goodnight, have been major benefactors to NC State. They created the Goodnight Scholarship Program to make college affordable for all students. They have also funded endowed professorships and generously support the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, the NC State University Libraries, ARTS NC State and much more.

2006 – Edward I. Weisiger, Sr.
Ed provided funding to establish a scholarship in the College of Veterinary Medicine and has been a longtime supporter of the Wolfpack Club. He is the former chair of the Board of Trustees, the NC State Student Aid Association and the Development Board.

2005 – Edward E. Hood, Jr.
An alumnus of NC State’s nuclear engineering program, Ed received the Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award and has established scholarship endowments in the College of Engineering. He served on the NC State Engineering Foundation Board and was the vice chair of the NC State University Board of Trustees.

2004 – Randall & Susan Ward
Aside from establishing a number of scholarships in colleges throughout the university, the Wards pledged $1.5 million to fund a veterinary cardiology center at the new Randall B. Terry Jr. Companion Animal Veterinary Medical Center. Susan serves on the NC State University Board of Trustees and is the current chair of the Veterinary Medical Foundation. The Wards are only the second married couple in the history of NC State University to both receive Watauga Medals.

2003 – William Friday
Considered one of the most significant North Carolinians of the 20th century, Bill served as president of the UNC system and has been on numerous task forces and commissions on higher education. Throughout his extensive involvement at NC State Bill has served on 11 university boards and committees.

2002 – Merlin A. Meares
Merlin has fostered a lifelong commitment to university academics and athletics. He served on a number of NC State committees including the Alumni Association Board of Directors and was chair of the NC Student Aid Association.

2001 – Robert L. Dick
Bob, who passed away in 2010, established a Caldwell Fellowship Endowment, served on the NC State Engineering Foundation and Board of Trustees Endowment Fund boards, and was the former chair of the NC State University Foundation as well as the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

2000 – W. L. Burns, Jr.
The late Bill Burns contributed significant time and resources to NC State. Between 1973 and 2011, Bill participated on a number of boards and served as chair of the Board of Trustees and the NC State University Foundation Board.

1999 – No recipient

1998 – Crane & Jane Jones
The Joneses provided funds for the Jane and Crane Jones Endowment and were active in the Alumni Association, NC State Foundation and Friends of the Library Board of Directors up until their times of death.

1997 – Darrell & Carolyn Menscer
Electrical engineering alum Darrell Menscer and his late wife, Carolyn, established funds for the Menscer Cup and have been leaders of volunteerism at NC State. While chairing the NC State Foundation and co-chairing the Campaign for NC State Students, Darrell led university advancement efforts through unparalleled enhancements to fundraising, endowment management, and alumni services.