The Mathews Medal recognizes graduating seniors who have created a lasting legacy at NC State.
Adapted from NC State Alumni Association News
Congratulations to Sam Dotson ’24 for receiving the Mathews Medal!
As the highest non-academic distinction awarded to NC State students, the Mathews Medal honors graduating seniors who have served as student leaders and made significant contributions to the advancement of the university.
The Mathews Medal is named in honor of Walter J. Mathews, the first student to arrive on the North Carolina School of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts campus in October 1889. As an alumnus, Mathews remained deeply involved with the university and this annual award – given each year at the Founders Day dinner – encourages student recipients to envision themselves as future alumni leaders.
Sam is a Park Scholar and a first-generation college student majoring in business. In her freshman year, she co-founded a program to help first-generation and under-resourced students apply to NC State and the Park Scholarship Program. Today, Sam manages a team of more than 40 students who give guidance to under-resourced high school students, helping them with applications and preparing them for scholarship interviews. She also worked with Wellness and Recreation to help encourage an inclusive environment in the gym. Along with all this, she found time to play piccolo in the marching band.
“Sam is a rock star student with a passion for serving the NC State community. She is a servant leader creating a legacy for future generations of the Wolfpack to follow,” said Suzie Goodell, professor of nutrition and Park Faculty Scholar for the Class of 2024.
“The Park Scholarships staff was thrilled, and not surprised, to hear that Sam received the Mathews Medal this year. Her work with the PURA program has helped support many prospective scholars and her passion for service is contagious. Sam is and will continue to be a changemaker, and we are excited to continue to watch her grow and thrive,” said Eva Feucht ’02, director of the Park Scholarships program.
“Sam Dotson is a great student and an even better person. She is always everyone’s number one cheerleader and confidant. What I love most about Sam is how special and loved she makes me feel when I am around her because she truly cares about my well-being and making the world a better place. Sam has made a huge impact on my life because she has modeled to me how important it is to love myself. She is humble, intelligent, kind and caring. All of these qualities and more are what will make her successful in life. I am so grateful to know her and to call her a friend,” said Kennedy Fipps ’24.
Sam is graduating from her undergraduate program this semester and will start classes at the Institute for Advanced Analytics in June.
