NC State University Foundation Honors Former Poole College Advisory Board Chair Henry Campen Jr.

NC State volunteers and donors Henry Campen Jr. and Steve and Frosene Zeis were honored recently for their outstanding commitment to the university.

The NC State University Foundation recognized the trio during its annual awards ceremony and dinner, held Dec. 5 at the North Carolina Museum of Art. The foundation — a 501(c)(3) organization that supports many of the university’s colleges, its libraries and additional initiatives through financial and other assistance — presents two awards each year: the Jerry and Elizabeth Godwin Red Torch Award and the Darrell and Carolyn Menscer Cup. 

The Godwin Red Torch Award, given this year to Campen, recognizes an individual or family exemplifying the Godwins’ commitment and significant volunteer leadership on behalf of NC State. The Godwins established an endowment to support the award in 2007; members of the many volunteer boards across campus are eligible for nomination.

The Zeises are the 2024 recipients of the Menscer Cup, presented to an individual or family exemplifying the efforts, leadership and dedication shown on behalf of the university by Darrell Menscer and his late wife, Carolyn. 

The Menscer Cup, established in 1997, also is supported by an endowment. As the NC State University Foundation’s highest accolade, it particularly recognizes the accomplishments of philanthropists and/or volunteer fundraisers. 

Past winners of the two awards attend the annual presentation ceremony, along with winners’ guests and members of the foundation board and university leadership.

In his remarks, Chancellor Randy Woodson recognized the contributions of expertise, counsel, volunteerism and resources to further NC State’s mission made by Campen, the Zeises and other donors and volunteers.

“I’m proud of the culture of philanthropy that we have built together, and I’m humbled by all of the support you have shown the university, and shown me,” Woodson said. “As we have seen over these past few years, philanthropic leadership and volunteer service are vitally important to the success of NC State. I look forward to seeing what future transformations are in store, as you all continue to invest in this institution, its students and faculty, and its leaders.”

Attendees also recognized Woodson’s nearly 15 years of service as chancellor, as he prepares to retire in 2025.

Bentina Terry, current chair of the NC State University Foundation Board of Directors, served as the event’s master of ceremonies.

“My service on the board has been a small way to give something back to the university that has given so much to me — in hopes that, through the foundation, we continue to create a generation of young people who will Think and Do transformative things,” Terry said.

GODWIN AWARD WINNER: HENRY CAMPEN JR.

Campen has become a dedicated volunteer and advocate for Poole College of Management — despite not being an NC State alumnus.

He grew up in Fayetteville and graduated from Wake Forest University before earning a master’s degree from American University and a juris doctor from NC Central. 

Campen is retired of counsel/partner — energy, utilities and land use from Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein. For 10 years, Campen served as managing partner of the regional firm’s office in Raleigh, where he and his wife, Ellen, reside. He also has served as elected chair of the board of directors of the nonprofit Southeastern Coastal Wind Coalition, among other professional leadership roles.

One of the Campens’ three daughters, Nancy, is an NC State alumna. During her time on campus, Henry was recruited to finish a departing member’s term on the Poole College of Management Advisory Board. He has been involved at the university ever since, including serving as a member of the NC State Board of Visitors from 2011 to 2018.

Campen also served from 2014 to 2021 on the Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign Cabinet, and he has been a member of the NC State University Foundation Board and the Park Scholars Selection Committee.

His lengthy service on the Poole College Advisory Board, from 2007 through 2022, including two years as chair, truly ignited his passion for NC State.

That experience allowed him to interact with many students, and he was impressed by them and by the university’s focus on STEM and entrepreneurship. Campen has become a familiar face at Poole College, as a strong mentor, friend and supporter who invites others to join him in supporting the university.

He has been part of Poole College dean searches, spoken to prospective students and, at the college’s graduation events, announced the winners of the Annual Leadership and Innovation Showcase and much more. 

In 2008, the Campens established the James and Dora Jean Bohannon Endowment to provide merit-based scholarships for Poole College students. Its name honors Ellen’s late father, who taught in the engineering department, among several other family ties to NC State.

The Campens are regular financial supporters of various funds at Poole College of Management and across campus, and they are members of the R.S. Pullen Society.

For his many accomplishments and contributions, Campen was named the 2013 Poole College of Management Person of the Year.

“My involvement here has been a highlight of my life,” he said when accepting the Red Torch Award. “It has been a privilege for which I will be eternally grateful.” 

MENSCER CUP RECIPIENTS: STEVE AND FROSENE ZEIS

Steve and Frosene Zeis view the Wilson College of Textiles — which is the only institution in North America dedicated to textiles — as the hub for training the next generation of textile leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs, and they have been proud to invest in it. 

The Zeises are members of the R.S. Pullen Society and are among NC State’s most generous donors.

The couple met in Asheville in 1957 after Steve emigrated from Istanbul, Turkey, and they got married in 1961. Growing up and working in his father’s fabric store sparked a passion in Steve to learn more about how those colorful fabrics were made, which led him to earn an NC State degree in textile technology in 1962. 

Steve began his career in research and development for Joseph Bancroft and Sons in Wilmington, Delaware, then shifted to technical services at Asheville’s Northrop Carolina, developing and manufacturing critical textile machinery. 

In the early 1980s, the Zeises became owners of their own textile machinery sales business, ZTM Sales and Service Inc. With Steve representing some of Europe’s most prominent textile machinery manufacturers, and Frosene managing the business side, they became known as leaders and innovators in the field.

After retirement, the couple increased their philanthropic activities, focusing on the arts, health care, underprivileged communities and more. They have particularly focused on higher education, benefiting UNC-Asheville as well as NC State.

The Zeises, who had already established two Centennial Scholarships at NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles, were among the founding benefactors of the need-based Textile Pioneer Scholarship Program.

In addition to the Frosene M. Zeis Endowed Pioneer Scholarship and the Steve E. Zeis Endowed Pioneer Scholarship, the couple’s philanthropic contributions include endowing the Steve E. and Frosene M. Zeis Distinguished Professorship in Technical Textiles as well as gifts to many other funds.

In particular, their gifts established a continuing education center, the Steve and Frosene Zeis Textiles Extension for Economic Development, that is now a global leader in textile and quality improvement education, research and service.

Steve’s leadership at his alma mater includes serving from 2007 to 2014 on the North Carolina Textile Foundation Board of Directors, and he has been a member of the Alumni Association Volunteer Network.

In 2006, Steve was recognized with the Wilson College of Textiles Distinguished Alumnus Award, honoring his years of generosity with his time and financial support. Four years later, students recognized him as a role model, when he was named Textile Leader of the Year by members of the Kappa Tau Beta Leadership Fraternity and the Phi Psi Fraternity.  

The Zeises were unable to attend the Dec. 5 event but sent greetings from their Asheville home via video.

This post was originally published in Giving News.