From the pure, clear performance of the National Anthem by Alamance County 4-H’er Ernest Lewis to the stirring narrative “I Am Old Glory,” rendered by retired U.S. Air Force Col. Quincy Collins Jr., “The Spirit of America at N.C. State” gala was a red, white and blue celebration of the beneficence of those who have funded scholarships, fellowships, professorships and other endowments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Dean James L. Oblinger welcomed the 400 persons who attended the event November 30 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Research Triangle Park. “On behalf of the College, N.C. State University and indeed our nation, I thank you for your generosity, your vision for the future, your willingness to share your resources and your love for N.C. State and America,” Oblinger said.

The College currently has more than 375 endowments totaling more than $100 million. These endowments fund more than 650 student scholarships and fellowships and 32 professorships for distinguished faculty.

Lois G. Britt, a donor and creator of the Lois G. Britt Outstanding Extension Agent Award Endowment, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence in memory of those whose lives were lost Sept. 11, 2001.

Chancellor Marye Anne Fox thanked the donors for “your investment in the future of N.C. State and your trust in the College in being good stewards of your contributions.” She then offered her congratulations to the scholarship recipients, adding, “You have a great responsibility to carry forward the ideals and vision of your endowment donors.”

Ray Wilkinson, formerly of WRAL-TV in Raleigh, then honored recent exemplary donors. These were Hilda Cope, founder of the Victoria Jean Cope 4-H Scholarship and the Victoria Jean Cope 4-H Agents Award; Ruby McSwain, creator of the Ruby Vann Crumpler McSwain Extension and Research Endowment and the Ruby Vann Crumpler McSwain-Worthy House Endowment; Susan Blanchard, who with her husband, Don, created the Manning/Blanchard Endowment for Undergraduate Education; and Marion Dilday, chairman of the Scholarship Committee for the N.C. Seedsmen’s Association Endowment and Foil W. McLaughlin Fellowship Award. During the ceremonies, Dilday and his wife, Jane, presented Chancellor Fox with an endowment contribution of $25,000.

After video profiles of these honorees, each stood to audience applause following words of thanks from representative beneficiaries.

Finally, recognizing all endowment supporters in the room, Oblinger said, “This has been a very special evening for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at N.C. State. It is the first time in history that we have gathered together in one place all of our current and future endowment donors of the College. To all of you we say, ‘Thank you.’”