24th Annual William C. Friday Award
NORTH CAROLINA State University
TALLEY STUDENT UNION, PIEDMONT BALLROOM
THURSDAY, Oct. 27, 2021, 5:30 p.m.
Honoring
Molly Barker
Molly Barker is an educator, triathlete, author and social visionary. She was nominated by the Class of 2023 for her commitment to unraveling limiting cultural and societal stereotypes about gender. She is the founder of Girls on the Run, a nonprofit organization that creates confidence-building programming for young girls, and the Red Boot Coalition, which creates spaces for communities to grow stronger through intentional conversations.
Barker is from Charlotte, North Carolina and holds a B.S. in chemistry from UNC-Chapel Hill and a master’s in social work. She worked as an educator and social worker prior to launching her career as a nationally recognized social justice advocate for young girls. Read more »
Program
Welcome | Annie Kate Watson, Park Scholar, Class of 2023
Remarks by NC State Chancellor | Randy Woodson, Chancellor
Presentation of Award | Beckett Stillman, Park Scholar, Class of 2023
Remarks by Molly Barker
Audience Questions and Answers
Closing Remarks | Nicholas Muecke, Park Scholar, Class of 2023
The William C. Friday Award
The William C. Friday Award, established in 2000 and named for the former president of the University of North Carolina System, is an annual honor presented by the senior class of Park Scholars on behalf of the entire Park Scholarships program. This award honors Friday’s dedication and excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character, and recognizes individuals who emulate Friday’s dedication to those principles. Each year’s award recipient is invited to speak at a campus-wide event.
Past recipients of the William C. Friday Award include Black Cotton’s Julius Tillery, NC State Chancellor Emeritus Larry Monteith, General Hugh Shelton, noted historian John Hope Franklin, Special Olympics of North Carolina CEO and President Keith Fishburne, Ambassador James A. Joseph, Red Hat CEO Jim Whitehurst, behavioral economist Dan Ariely, CORRAL Riding Academy Founder and President Joy Currey, former UNC System President Tom Ross, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee Founder and CEO Amy Gage Wright, GrowingChange Founder Noran Sanford, A Place at the Table Founder and Executive Maggie Kane, and activist, filmmaker, and artist Bree Newsome Bass. Read more »
FEATURING REMARKS BY
Randy Woodson
North Carolina State University Chancellor
Dr. Randy Woodson became North Carolina State University’s 14th chancellor in April 2010. Woodson leads the largest university in North Carolina, with nearly 38,000 students and a $2 billion budget. Read more »
Park Scholarships Class of 2023 Distinguished Speakers Committee
The Park Scholarships Program
The mission of the Park Scholarships program is to bring exceptional students to NC State, based on outstanding accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The program develops and supports Park Scholars in these areas, preparing them for lifelong contributions to the university, state, nation, and world.
Approximately 40 scholarships will be awarded this year to outstanding entering freshmen for undergraduate study in any discipline at NC State. To date, 23 classes of Park Scholars have graduated and have built a vibrant alumni network. For more details about the program and recent accomplishments of Park Scholars and alumni, please review the program’s annual report.