The launch of a new scholarship program for the children of NC State faculty and staff got a big boost from Chancellor Randy Woodson and his wife, Susan. The couple is donating $1.15 million to kick-start the NC State Employee Dependent’s Tuition Scholarship.

The Woodsons’ gift will be combined with additional private money to provide $2,000 annual scholarships starting in the fall 2016 semester.

“NC State is experiencing what might be the most successful time in our university’s long, proud history, and the credit is due to our tremendous faculty and staff,” the chancellor said. “Susan and I couldn’t be more proud to give back to the Wolfpack community that has been so good to us.”

The Woodsons hope the new scholarship program encourages and enables more employees’ dependents to earn their degrees from NC State. It’s also their way of thanking employees for their hard work. As an added bonus, the scholarships could help attract and retain high-performing faculty and staff, a key goal in the university’s strategic plan.

The gift also demonstrates the Woodsons’ leadership in philanthropic giving as the university prepares for its largest-ever fundraising campaign, set to launch next fall.

University Advancement has more on the Woodsons’ generous support of the new scholarship program. Details about the program also are available through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid’s website under scholarships.